Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group newbie here

hello all. my name is misti and i am new to the website. here's a little diddy on me:

was diagnosed at the age of 30 with RA, even though no medical testing ever supported that diagnosis. was treated for RA on and off since then (about 5.5 years).

last week i saw a new rheumy and was told that i DO NOT have RA, but that i actually have AS. (it was kind of funny really, because my best friend was diagnosed with AS probably close to 30 years ago. so much for it being an "uncommon" disease in women since i have two friends diagnosed with it.)

i am still waiting on blood tests but my initial exam and x-rays concluded the following:

1) bone spurs on heels, neck
2) some sort of visible inflammatory damage in extreme lower back and hip area
3) possible pinched nerve causing weakness in arms/hands
4) "knee cap problem" on left side
5) hypermobility, most likely causing problems in hands, wrists, feet, ankles

the rheumy also wants me to have a CAT scan, an MRI, see a neurologist, and an opthamologist. then, i go back to her again (appx 5 weeks now).

as i do more research on AS, i find that it explains things that i have been putting up with my entire life. when i was around 14, i started having problems with my hips bothering me. when i would sit too long my leg would fall asleep; cramps; popping; etc.

when i was pg w/my son, i had problems with what my ob/gyn told me was my sciatic nerve. however, the problem did not go away after the pregnancy, it lingered for a couple of years or so.

after delivery, i started having trouble with my feet. i saw a foot dr (podiatrist?) for an entire year. his diagnosis was that my arch was falling. i used inserts and wrapped my foot every day with minimal relief. finally, as a last ditch effort i was prescribed a dose pack - pain ended within 2 days of therapy.

in the past couple of years i have had eye problems that i have assumed were due to my contact lenses, but the last time i had a big flare up with it, i started looking at iritis and the symptoms matched 100%.

there are many other things that continue to be little "light bulb" moments, but this is probably all you want to hear right now.

my friend was very active at this site a few years ago and recommended that i come here. so, i am looking forward to getting to know you all.

oh yeah, i am 35 and live in oklahoma. i have been married to my high school sweeatheart for almost 15 years (november) and we have one son, who is 9.

guess that's about it.

~ misti

Hi
I am new here too and really here for my daughter but I wanted to let you know that I am sure you will get a lot of support and information from the folks here.
one thing I can say though if you even THINK you have IRITIS GET TO AN EYE DOC ASAP
good luck to you !!!!

welcome misti, youve just become a mamber of the worlds largest family who will support and help in any way we can....you will learn alot from others here...start a journal writinfg everything down that you are feeling and are havin difficulty in doin. and lots and lots of questions for the docs and dont let them go until you have been satified with the answers... it will help you and your docs in helping you fight the monster....oak

welcome true, and hope ya get the answers your lookin for fightin the monster is no picnic and the more ya know the better.....oak

Hi Misti,

Glad to see you here, but sorry you're here because of AS! I'm 35, too. Glad you've gotten some answers that make sense for you. Get your eyes checked out as soon as possible; as you will hear here, iritis is nothing to mess around with.

Take care!
~Molly B

Hey Misti - Welcome. Glad you were able to find the site everyone here is wonderful...Sue!

misti,

just wanted to say welcome,

sue

WElcome Misti!! I'm an Okie naive, but living in Washington state. What town of OK? I was born in Tulsa.

Cheryl

YEA!!! Another Okie

Hmm we are gaining alot of Okie's wonder if there is something in the water

I am sorry, for all you have had to go thru, and I so know your frustration.

You vent or gripe all you want, that is what we are all here for, a GREAT group of people that are willing to listen, help, inform and anything else you can think of.

If you don't mind me asking where in Oklahoma are you from, I am in Broken arrow, we have a couple of members by me and one in Oklahoma city.

Hugs,

Lisa

Welcome and good luck on your journey.