How can this be best handled? Hello, by the way. I am new to AS. Just diagnosed yesterday. All the usual emotions are whipping through my mind as I come to grips with this. If I hadn't seen my x-rays with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe it. One SI joint is totally fused; the other is not far behind. My god. So fast.
It all started LAST WEEK! Third attack of Costochondritis, ribs out of place so was having great difficulty breathing, burning bottoms of feet plus ankles. Emergency x-rays yesterday showed complete fusion of one SI joint. The other is showing erosion and 85% fusion. Isn't this just a bit too fast?
What can I do to slow this down? Right now, I take a single Arthrotec daily. One heel burns while the sole of the same foot burns as well. Interesting the other foot is not affected. Just the right one. Ironically my fused SI is on the same side. Is it normal to have fusing, burning, etc. all on the same half of the body with AS?
And again on the same side, my middle knuckle is slightly taller than the other one. Looks almost like more bone is being used for it. I know this is a stupid observation. Does AS make your knuckles larger?
Why do my shoulders crack when I move them? Is this 'normal' for AS? Or is my entire system beginning to fuse or whatever it is called?
Will be seeing my rheumatologist this month and taking along film xrays for him to see. I am hoping he will be able to help me. I do not know what medicine there is for this condition. Such a newbie.
Last edited by Magician; 08/09/11 02:01 PM.
