Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Hello Some brighter news

Some of you might remember me, I posted a while back cause I was PO'd nobody would listen to me. Hehe... well FINALLY I got into a physotheripist, and of course they to started with the Oh it's probably nothing approch, but as they examind me, additudes seemed to change. So then they move to testing my mobility, and even to my own supprise, I swear I didn't even realaize it till today, but my lower spine is ceased. They where kinda beating round the bush cause they are not qualified to make a diagnosis. But I had them pinning me into the bed, stabilizing the rest of my spine and trying to flex my lower back. So the guess is that my lower back is all fused up so bad that all my flexing is occuring between T10 and T11, and now that joint is hyperextended, and quite possibly fusing as well right now. I've had 2 visits now, and a 3rd in 2 days. They want me to come back to meet sombody not sure who. But I can now say for sure that somthing is there.

and all these years they told me nothing was wrong................

You know what the craziest thing is, I never in my life thought that hearing from a medic that somthing cronic was wrong with me would make me feel happy.

It's wierd but I'm overjoyed that they can finally see the effects of the dmg, of the pain that was all in my head. I'd have to say i found a new kind of emotion today, but not sure what to call it.



....Shawn

Edited by Cheryl on 12/18/01 11:05 AM (server time).

Shawn,

Nice to meet you . I am new here and never saw your old posts. I am so glad you are getting some answers. Perhaps this emotion could be best described as elation??



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Kristin

Elation, sounds good to me now I have a word for it, and my vocabulary ;)

Hi Shawn,

I would agree with elation and probably the end to alot of frustration of everyone you see saying 'there's nothing wrong with you...'

It can be a great weight lifted - I know I had similar feelings having been mis-diagnosed for many years (which is not uncommon) and finally getting the correct diagnosis.

Stick around on this site as the support here is worth alot more than the med. proffesion can give,

Cheers
Jo

Yes, exactly the same way I felt, relief! Finally a DX that had nothing to do with my emotional state, I wasn't hysterical, wasn't a hypochondriac, hey, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY HEAD! It's a validation of all the pain. Now, having said that, we're still stuck with this d*** disease, but at least we know what to call the beast and at least I for one don't go to the doc's feeling defensive any more. Now if only someone would come up with a cure...

Cheryl


Sugar Magnolia wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. Woof!

Shawn,

Reminds me of one of my early PT sessions. The stupid Dr referred me but never told the therapist what was wrong. So when he was doing his thing to my spine he kept saying "Oh my... Gee.. wow look at that." I acted ignorant and kept saying "What? Is there something wrong?" He wouldn't tell me 'cause like you said, they aren't allowed to make a diagnosis. After stringing him along for a while, I told him I had AS.

All that to say that sometimes the PTs can tell that something is up before the doctors figure it out.

Rick

Hi Koshen!! We haven't met yet, so hi!! I would say what you're feeling could be relief. Wierd I know. When you've finally been validated, as Cherly says, there's this overwhelming feeling of relief that you're not making this up!! You now have the medical professions permission to have pain!! Sorry to hear about it, but glad you posted. Take care, and enjoy the good feeling!! Laura

Hey Shawn...

I think we can all relate to your story..each one of us looking healthy and docs thinking we are just "exaggerating" our illness...like we have nothing better to do than pretend we are in pain....

Glad to hear you finally found out what is wrong and what has been going on all this time.....a big high five there buddie...

Deb


and they slept snug in their beds

Koshan, I know what you mean about feeling elated/relieved. For the last few years I've been tired all the time and depressed for no real reason. I've always been one to blame myself, maybe I was doing something wrong that I was tired and depressed all the time. And my back hurt, but I told myself it was because I was stressed and it would go away if I would only relax.

Then, this fall (2 months ago now) I was diagnosed with AS. Which has been terrifying beyond belief for me, but my occupational therapist said one thing that totally turned me on my ear. She told me that there would be times when, no matter how vigilant I was about my exercises and taking care of myself, my back would hurt, I would be incredibly fatigued and at times depressed. She said that I shouldn't blame myself, that it was the disease acting on me.

What a relief! All of a sudden I flashed back on the past few years and realized that it was all probably caused by AS. That I wasn't doing anything to cause it, it simply was there and wreaking havoc on my system. I almost burst into tears I was so relieved.

As you can tell by the responses you've had to your post, you are not alone in feeling happy and relieved by your diagnosis. Just one of those really odd things about life, I suppose.

Inanna

Shawn
Hi i'm known around here as Icky.I'm with everyone else on this one.Actualy I came in just to meet you.We're realy neighbours you know.I live in Winnipeg MB.It's only a two day drive to Ottawa.---LOL--- I'll be reading your future posts with interest.
Ray