hiya,
the criteria for AS and Spondyloarthropathy are similar, night time pain stiffness etc difference is AS has dammage and ankylosis fusion.
Spondyloarthropathy I see is now often desribed as PreAS, early AS leads to AS.
Search on modified New Criteria for AS and the Eular Criteria for Spondyloarthropathy.
Testing positive for B27 is not the big diagnosis point in AS and spondyloarthropathy it once was. B27 disease can be harder to diagnose as paterns can be sacral ilitis and shoulders/neck leaving the lumbar spine relatively mild.
I do n't wish anyone to harm themselves but one of the diagnosis points is nsaids help and you return to the old state on stopping them. also Spondy diseasse flares with lots of activity as well as lots of inactivity, so you can worsen your self easily.
The nuclear bone scan is useful, MRI is another diagnostic for AS/SpondyA especially early on. Alot of us who do n't present with fusion on X rays often have a rough time of it. It can take years for that damage to occur and you have a painful rough time of it.
Good Luck,
Dabe
