Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group AS Data Collection

Hey James. The age of onset is when you think symptoms first started. It's probably an estimation at best. It appears that a majority of people have symptoms for many years before an official dx. According to the table the average age of onset is about 22 years. Which I think is consistent with most descriptions of AS. I wonder what triggers the disease at this age range. I realize that for some it's later in life or even earlier. But if genetics makes us susceptible, what environmental trigger sets it off at this point. In my case I was involved in a violent auto accident around the age of 20. Thinking back I recall possible symptoms around age 24. I wonder how many others experienced a traumatic or stressful incident they may have caused an exacerbation. Or are these events even related at all. But in any case proper treatment probably isn't given for many if the disease becomes active around age 22 and a diagnosis isn't given until age 30. I think better education for medical professionals is one of the first things needed. Oops, probably got more than you bargained for.



Shane

Thanks Shane,
I have been asked for my age of onset before by my doctors, but I never really knew exactly what they were asking. So I would just tell them that my problems have been happening for a certain amount of years. Now I know what to tell them.

Now that I know what onset is.... my age of onset, I believe would be at around 15, because that is when my hip problems began. My onset could be earlier than that, but I was already diagnosed with JRA, so I wouldn't want to mix up the symptoms. So I am going to say that my hips would have to be my first clue. I was diagnosed with AS at the age of 18, if I am not mistakened, and both hips got replaced at 19.

As a kid I was very athletic in sports, running and wrestling etc. I was even dangerous at times by jumping out of trees to scare my friends, doing stunts on my bicycles, and also during my teen years I was heavily involved in offroading on motorcycles. I was always getting banged up, and sometimes I got hurt pretty bad. That could be a reason why my AS has started so early, but I can't really say for sure.

Thanks for the info,
James

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homepage

James, wow both hips replaced at such a young age. Sounds like you have been through a lot. Yes it would probably be difficult to tell your doctors when it all started since you've had problems even as a child.

Shane

When I read your post I went straight to your link and entered my data. Then I came back to the site and was amazed at what I read. I am left handed and I feel my appx on set age was 22 years old which for the data entered was a common age. The link about left handed people and IBD is something I found of interest too. Just wanted to tell you thanks for the time and effort for people like me who are still trying to absorb all the info I can about AS this was great!

Hi
I just wanted to validate your theory regarding road accidents, making it worse.
I can say yes it def does! I have been complainin to gp etc for the last 8 years (28now) re back pain/AS symptoms as i later found out, and still can not get a proper diagnosis!
I was also involved in a car accident 18 mths ago, which severely aggravated upper back and neck resultin in nerve damage.
By the way i ambidextrous (if thats how to spell it!) how does this count with the left-handed theories!

Best wishes
Heather

HI
These data collection results are very interestin.
I have added my details, but only wish i could have more accurate info to put in, but i am still tryin to get drs to look in rite direction!

Take care
Heather

HI a few comments about left handed, I my self am lefthanded and right footed was told as a child its to do with the left hand part of the brain controlling upper body movement and the right hand part of the brain controlling lower body movemment, in righthanded people the right hand part of the brain controlles all movement the left controlles all the rest. told a very long time ago but think thats how it was.......tone

Ugh!
I'm a lefty with AS and IBD.
I wonder if there somrthing to that?

My symptoms were mild Hip pain through teen years
and a major flair that started at age 21 that never seemed to go away
that was eight years ago.
What could set this deisease off in a persons early twenties?
too weird

Jason,

they are thinking that genes play a role in the age of onset, and not the b27 one.......suprising how many are -ve to b27.....

david