You're all SO helpful!
I feel so badly complaining, but this as you all know can be so very frustrating!
I took a look at the site you sent Molly, thank you. I Do see how much they mention both the STIR and the contrast enhanced MRI's, and I know I didn't have either! So far I've had an xray of I believe my spine(not sure how much of it) and possibly si joints, but don't know yet. I also had a CT scan of my si joints I believe and at least part of my lower spine?? Again, I'm not sure.. and finally up until the other day had been sent to a clinic that I don't believe my Rheumy at the time knew much about, but that could get me in faster down in Markham in East Beaver Creek, and that MRI was of SI joints without contrast or STIR..just simply T1 and T2 weighted.
I actually just pulled up the results of this one as I had asked for it long ago and they actually sent it to me...
It reads:
Technique,
Coronal T1w nd T2w and axial T1w and T2w images of sacroiliac joints have been obtained.
Findings:
SI joints are congruent bilaterally.There is no evidence of an erosive or degenerative or inflammatory arthropathy. The sacral ala are intact.the sacral nerual foramina are patent.
No abnormality at the lumbosacral junction.
Interpretation:
Normal examination
BUT... when I was at the doc in the last few days and was trying my best to get answers I did ask him to explain the ct findings, which he started to then changed topics..
and when he did, I remember that he mentioned that from
to S1 there was moderate degeneration.. mostly seen at L4,L5, and S1.... so if there is degeneration there why is it that the mri said no abnormality at lumbosacral junction? Is that not the area between L5 and S1?
Anyhow... as it turned out the doc was 2 hrs late and I got a total of about 5 min in his office before he rushed me out to speak to a secretary to try and find out who had ordered the MRI I was to do that eve! And boom our appt was done. I DID manage to immediately upon stepping into his office after a long frustrating wait, to ask him to refer me to one of the Rheumatologists at Tor Western..and thanks to Kat I believe I mentioned Dr. Inman? I hope that was right. Upon asking my doc said..well maybe I can get you into the clinic? I said.. whats the clinic? He said..well you dont actually see the doc!!
I wondered out loud how that could be helpful to me and again asked to see the rheumatologist instead. AND I asked that he give me copies of all my bloodwork, cat scan xrays and mris that have been done since it all started in Dec of last yr... so now I wait!!
At least the appt wasnt a total waste.. but I did find out the MRI booked was in fact the same appt that Dr Thorne(previous rheumy) had booked then rebooked at the place above for sooner results..and had forgotten to cancel...Sooo I went in... spoke to the technician and was told there was no special direction from the rheumy saying how it should be done, so it would be done as per the norm? T1 and T2 Im assuming. ??
I did try and explain a bit about STIR and how i was told that it would be probably a better way to see some of the things they would be looking at, and she said, well I guess i could throw in a round as it wont take too much longer.. so now i wait to see if in fact she did, and if it showed anything!
UGH..sorry so long everyone. So it wasn't a total waste but i didn't really get to say much to my doc. Each time i try and speak he seems to cut me off, or not answer? or maybe it just feels that way? I asked what he thought briefly and he said, well I hate to say it but due to the pain in other major joints aside from your back maybe Fibromyalgia? Yet Ive told him over and over the muscles aren't whats sore.. I can touch my shoulder and its not muscle, its inside deeper or bone?
Quick question pls, before I let you all take a breather from a very long rant....lol
Is it possible to have degeneration etc showing up in your spine, and yet not in the SI joints yet? And is this typical at all of AS or some other issues you may know of?
So sorry again so long... Seems I sure can rant!
Hope all have a wonderfully scary wknd!
*big warm hugs*... Gentle ones!
