Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Feeling pretty awful right now

Good point. I will ask for a copy of the report. Fortunately my doctor is seeing me in the next few hours. He's so patient and really reviews everything in detail. Most importantly, he is great about asking MY opinion. I see a husband and wife who have a practice together and are both PM doctors. I see her for routine stuff, but he does injections etc.

I'm sure even after I talk with him I'll think of a long list of questions, so having that report would be handy. Thanks for the tip!

Texan: "Also waiting for blood work to show inflammation, which it hasn't done yet."

Texan, does not always show inflammation and is not a perequisite for a diagnosis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ankylosing-spondylitis/DS00483/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

Lab tests
There are no specific lab tests to identify ankylosing spondylitis. Certain blood tests can check for signs of inflammation, but inflammation can be caused by many different health problems. Your blood can be tested for the HLA-B27 gene, but most people who have that gene don't have ankylosing spondylitis.

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/ankylosing-spondylitis
No laboratory tests are specific and are often more helpful to exclude other diagnoses rather than confirming ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Current guidance suggests that only FBC and inflammatory markers should be taken prior to referral. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and HLA testing are not thought to improve diagnosis in primary care.[2]
There may be normochromic normocytic anaemia of chronic disease. ESR or CRP level may correlate with disease activity but these are less useful for monitoring activity than in other inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Alkaline phosphatase is often elevated.

Not the best examples but will get you started. Do check out all the information posted in the AS research forum. Up-to date and pretty good. See also the SAA site, very good US national patient support group - they publish up-to date 'international info' on a regular basis.

Not all rheumies are current on AS. But it is getting better.

Take care -

I really hope things get better for you soon lovely. We are all in this together. I feel that we can get through anything with the support and advice from the amazing people on here. It restores my faith in humanity. There are some human beings left in the world that want to be kind and helpful to each other. Pretty rare nowadays!
Sending you healing thoughts

Moo xxx

Molly, don't you hate the Dysphonia! I sometimes sound like a frog with a cold. I am sorry you have to deal with this.

Hugs.
Possi

Hi Neighbor,
I am just North of you in the OKC area and have lots of friends in Ft. Worth.

I so understand the vanity. I had to deal with that a long time ago. My career demanded professional dress and I lived in 3 inch heels for a long time, keeping hair and nails done. Over a weekend, I ended up in the hospital never to work again. I also lost all of my hair. I quickly found out that the way I looked was not what was important in life. It is hard though and I feel for you. It is not easy to deal with all of the losses.

Today I am sitting here in jeans and a tee shirt and New Balance shoes with memory foam inserts and just as happy as if I had a bowl of chocolate ice cream. :o)

I am sorry you are having to deal with this but this is certainly a place where all of us either are, have been or will be. It is a great bunch of understanding people.

Have you missed the storms? I hope so.

Blessings.
Possi

Hate Dystonia? Ohhhh Possi, and then some. Once lost it for nigh on two years solid. Shoot, that rasping gurgle is...ludicrous! Stagger on though me love -