Karen, I started having back pain in my teens. First huge (six month) bout with sciatica when I was 24. First recognizable in retrospect full flare (no radiological changes, so no diagnosis) when I was +/- 28. I was 38 when I was diagnosed because of changes showing on an x-ray.
So, all told? At the very least ... say, 15 years? Give or take.
I truly hope you don't have AS, but by the same token I don't know which is worse. All the pain and no diagnosis, or AS. Six of one, half dozen of the other, I suppose. Pain is pain and it sucks.
Love and hugs,
