Gee, I must say I'm surprised by the number of people that haven't been tested for the HLA B27 gene and have seemingly been diagnosed with AS>
To diagnose AS as I understood, there are a number of factors the Rheumies look at such as inflammation levels (ESR or CRP), the pain in the SI joints and any associated fusing, family history of AS, the flexibility test of bending forward (I think called the Schrober test????), and of course the HLA B27 gene. Of course as pointed out around 5% of those with AS don't have the gene (or have as Dragonslayer says a false negative test). The point is that the rheumies should be taking the whole range of factors. Maybe in some cases they have and just haven't told you.
I find it beneficial to get copies of all blood tests performed and then read up on them say on the "net" to find out what they are. You find that with knowledge comes a bit of comfort of knowing what the hell is going on.
Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN
