Ankylosing Spondylitis Or Fibromyalgia?
I'm 30 years old and have suffered back pain and knee pain to an almost debilitating stage and the fatigue can be immense. I've had this since I was 17 ish. Quite often out of nowhere my knees will 'pop' or 'crack'. This can be when I'm walking, starting to sit, try to kneel or even stand still! Sometimes the pain is horrendous. I've also noticed my back has become less flexible over time (in fact my whole body). My calves feel heavy and my feet hurt like crazy. I find it hard to sit for very long without my spine hurting. My wife has tried massaging my back, but she hates it because she sees the pain I'm in. I have been to a Chiropractor, but I seemed only to get worse! I have been to the Dr and they seem to only want to look at one thing at a time rather than collectively. However, I do get some violent jolts or shakes which has been diagnosed as Myoclonus. It has been suggested by one Dr that I may have Fibromyalgia, however, I read through the literature and although some of it sounds familiar I'm not so convinced. By chance I then read an article in my local newspaper drumming up awareness of AS. I'd never heard of this before so I googled it and I would say the symptoms described struck a chord with me. I'm yet to discuss this with my Dr. Has anyone else found the same awkwardness in regards to getting to the bottom of what their suffering from? I'm convinced my mother also had it, although it was never confirmed. I can remember how much of a struggle daily life was for her. One Dr even tried telling her she was a bored housewife and that she needed to get out of the house more! Unbelievable. Anyway thanks for reading this, just trying to build up more of a picture of what it is I have :'
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis And Spondylosis
Hi. I have recently been diagnosed with spondylitis and I also suffer with spondylosis. I was in a lot of pain, so took myself down to A&E. A doctor came to see me and sent me off for an x-ray. When the x-ray came back I was told I had spondylitis. I asked was there some kind of mistake as I already had spondylosis, I was told no, this was just something else to add to my list. I was gobsmacked to say the least. This bout of pain hahas now eased. I have done some research on this, not realising that the pain would come back. I would like to know how other people cope with the pain?
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis - Enbrel
I'm 34 years old diagnosed with as last year after over 10 years of agony with no one listening. Finally I got the diagnosis and my rheumatologist started me on enbrel last Nov. The change was unbelievable. Since then I have put on 21lbs even though I have improved my diet. For the last few weeks pain has been creeping back in and I've started using co dydramol again. I've also started with chest pain (not the as pain I had before in my chest). This has resulted in having ECG and being put on aspirin and statins. I've also had an echocardiogram today as there were minor abnormalities in my ECG. Wanting really to talk to people on enbrel. Have they had any of these side effects? Did the drug stop working as well at any point?
View 8 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Feeling Like That Of 90 Year Old?
I am 45 year old female, since my late teens I have suffered from what I always thought was sciatica, I would get bouts that could last weeks and although no proper diagnosis, DR agreed with me that was what it could be. Ive managed that through the years (and believe sometime the pain has been excruciating) with various pain relief concoctions. I would also always have an aching back, and if stretch too far its feels like something in lower my back has been ripped. As a florist for nearly 30 years I put most of my aches and pains down to the job (floristry is a hard, cold and very physical job).
Also at 19 I had my first bout of iritis, I've had it four times now in all, the last time being in 2009. The eye doctor I saw though it would be a good idea for me to have a blood test as he said iritis is a symptom of something else.
So I had the blood test and it showed the HLA marker, I was then sent to a rheumatologist who took an xray, told me I was hyper mobile and that was it...
To cut a long story short, I have been back and forwards to the docs since then. Various referrals to physio who give me exercises (which I do do) and then dismiss me. My legs now hurt sooo much, all the time in fact, I'm not unfit and not overweight (I did leave the florist 2 1/2 years ago) and although work from home, I walk the dog three miles every day. But this is more than aching legs - I can't get up the chair and as for getting up from the floor, forget it. I have to hold on when I go upstairs and lower back is constantly aching
My body feels like that of an old lady.
Incidentally, I developed a frozen shoulder in January and a lump at the base of my neck which physio said was down to posture!!!
Was back at the docs today who finally said she would refer me again as its sounds very much like AS
Does anyone have any tips on how I can get them to take me seriously, I have only ever had one x ray in 25 years but I just can't cope with my body feeling like that of 90 year old.
Ankylosing Spondylitis :: Enbrel Or Humira
I have recently been diagnosed with AS. At my last hospital visit the consultant gave me a self assessment form about my level of pain and mobility. I have to complete it again in 2 months when I go back to see if there has been any change - the consultant did say it was very unlikely there would be, but there is a process to follow. Anyway, she said when I return I could choose between Enbrel and Humira, and gave me some literature on them both. I understand that everyone is different, but wondered if anyone else could comment on the highs and lows of both drugs. I am 44 years old, and the main problem is in my neck. I can look left and right, with limitations, but cannot tilt my head to the side or look up. The anti-inflammatory drug that has so far worked best for me is Naproxen. Also do you have to continue with painkillers or are the injection a replacement for the anti-inflammatory drugs only.
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Anti-TNF Drugs In UK?
I have read on several message boards lately that there could be two new anti-tnf drugs coming to the market soon. Would that make the total 5? If so then does anyone know when these will be available to the UK market?
View 4 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Bad Reaction Following A Spinal MRI Scan?
Has anyone suffered a bad reaction following a spinal MRI scan?
I suffered (and am suffering) terrible muscle pain and muscle weakness following an MRI scan one month ago.
My scan was standard (i.e. without a contrast dye being injected into the blood - I know the dye sometimes causes problems) and I have so far found two people who have suffered a similar reaction.
It feels as if the scan has "stirred up" my immune system to produce inflammation in muscle and joints in my right leg and right arm.
Ankylosing Spondylitis In The Top Of The Neck Affecting My Balance
I have been diagnosed with Spondylitis in the top of the neck it's not the tightness or the pain it's the way it's affecting my balance! I also have a inner ear problem so not sure what is causing the Vertigo or could it be a bit of both can anyone out there help before I go crazy thanks!
View 28 RepliesPlantar Fasciitis Due To Ankylosing Spondylitis - Pain Management?
I am new to this forum so I apologise if I am doing things wrong. I have have AS for many years, well controlled with NSAIDs but plantar fasciitis is causing me a lot of pain at the moment. Does anyone have any ideas about the best sorts of treatment? Most web sites seem to concentrate on PF caused by running, being overweight etc rather than AS? If this has already been discussed, could someone direct me to the relevant threads?
View 2 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Anti-TNF - Does It Stop Pain? Experience?
After a two year battle with every drug going and being so terribly ill with AS my consultant has decided we need to move onto anti TNF after trying everything else with very little or no success.
Can you please tell me everything you know about anti-tnf. Was it is successful? Did it give you a life back? Does it stop the pain? Does it help with the fatigue? I am so worried about trying it, but need to urgently do something, as quality of life is very low and nothing else seems to work.
I need both my hips replaced, does anyone know if it helps with hip pain?
Ankylosing Spondylitis :: Pain Management Successes And Failures
I wanted to hear some of your experiences with pain management doctors. I have been involved with pain management doctors (usually anesthesiologists that have branched off into this specialty) for about 5 years now. Frankly I continue to see them since they have provided me with hydrocodone during that time and this does help to some degree. However, I have also tried many of their various treatments. I have had epidural injections, nerve ablations, trigger point injections etc. etc. Most of the results have been very minimal if anything and any results that I did get certainly didn't last very long at all. I was wondering if it is very common for people suffering from AS or one of the other related inflammatory diseases to seek help from pain management doctors. Have any of you actually been helped to any significant degree by them? For the most part I don't believe they really understand the inflammatory process. They ask me where it is hurting and when I tell them everywhere in the lower back they look at me like I'm just a hypochondriac. They assume that the pain has a specific source and their treatments should be able to fix it. My pain is severe but cannot be localized to one source. Have any of you worked with pain management people and has your experience been different?
View 11 RepliesKnee Braces Helpful After Total Knee Replacement
I am a 31 year old female about to have a TKR due to severe arthritis caused by PVNS. Currently I have very weak quads and calves in my bad knee from major loss of knee extension. I've heard that it's really hard to go into replacement surgery with weak muscles. I was wondering if I should get a knee brace for after surgery to help with some support until I get my strength back? Has anyone tried these webbing braces and if so do they help? I know some of the immobilizing braces actually cause atrophy.
View 8 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Flare Ups Of Sore Throat And Sore Oesophagus
Does anyone else have flare ups of a sore throat and sore oesophagus, the Dr thinks it's acid reflux, ppi's aren't doing anything, now being tested for h pylori bacteria, but can't help thinking that it may be connected to my ASR
View 8 RepliesTrouble Maintaining A Strong Erection In Certain Positions
I have always had trouble maintaining a strong erection in certain positions. Lying down and standing up come to mind. I am always strongest when sat upright, or when having sex in the 'bulldog' position. I have always felt this was strange and would love to feel at my fullest in other sexual positions. It helps to push down on the area above and below my penis. Does anyone have any recommendations for maintaining a more full erection? Aside from a cock ring which I have had a bad experience with, I do not 'lift' so I can presume perhaps a lack of testosterone.
I can only remember once in my whole life experiencing a rock hard erection whilst standing, maybe 3 years ago. Maybe I was particularly aroused, I don't know, but never since then. It felt great at that time and I would love to get that way again.
I have a fairly regular sex life and just feel like it's a pain me to have to prioritise one position over others; its like I cannot be spontaneous because my erection will not be as strong. For example, my penis is roughly 1 inch thicker around the head than the base. As a result, my partners tend to like me at times using just the head when inserting in and out. This I often use to heighten their orgasm (whilst also stimulating clitoris). But the only way to sustain a very hard head is for myself to push down on the area above my penis. I would love it if I could just do all this without that and be more attentive to my partners with my own hands.
Bowel Disorders :: Maintaining Balanced Movements?
I dont know what book to buy im a person who wants to learn about maintaining normal sized and hydrated defecations and so have to learn about the ways of reading the feelings of the digestive system like what its calling for and also the observation reading of defecated feces and then what to learn and what to consume or not and there maintain balanced bowel movements.
View 1 RepliesChronic Costochondritis - Cortisone Injections Are Helpful?
I was diagnosed with costochondritis when I was 14 and have had it for five years now.
I can manage the pain when it isn't flaring up but for the last few months it has been very bad to the point where I can't sleep. My job is quite physically demanding sometimes which causes the flare ups.
I recently went to my gp and requested x-rays as I haven't had any taken since I was diagnosed. Last year I had a bone scan but nothing showed up.
Last week the doctor said that I also have mild thoracic scoliosis curving to the left which may give a reason for the costochondritis, finally!
I have decided that the time has come to get cortisone injections as other medications/treatments don't relieve the pain. I will be seeing a specialist in a month's time.
Has anyone else had the injections? Did they help you? What was the whole procedure like for you?
Chiari Malformation :: Nortriptyline Helpful Or Is It Just Masking Pain For Now?
Was referred to a neurosurgeon to see a physiatrist which then referred me to 2 other drs - a neurotherapist and a neuropsychologist. also prescribed nortriptyline. i guess i shouldn't have said i was a little depressed. but man isn't feeling that way probably normal after a car accident, then chiari diagnosis, then possibly brain surgery, and finally after being told i may never again get to play the sport i love which is hockey because of all this? been to 3 neurosurgeons - 1st two say surgery is an option and come back when you're ready basically. 3rd one referred me to physiatrist and said basically surgery will be an option down the road. 26mm herniation with a CSF blockage (i had a cine study with 2nd neurosurgeon). jw if anybody else has been down this road. feels like im taking steps backward instead of forward...
View 4 RepliesHIV Prevention :: Nude Body To Body Massge With Anus Fingering?
This might be Anxiety, but I am wondering if nude body to body massage with the masseuse vagina rubbing on my penis outside (no penetration/intercourse) but defo fluid exchange, no condom and she put her finger in my anus, would that be a risk of HIV?
I have been to the same masseuses and I have done test and they all negative after but the last time I went for the massage is after my last negative test so I am just being very worry?
Cervical Spondylosis :: Wearing A Soft Collar At Night Is Helpful
Good advice here on the subject of cervical spondylosis, apart from the wearing of a support collar maybe. I have found wearing a soft collar at night very helpful in preventing an attack of neck pain turning into a horrible headache by the time morning comes. And very occasionally, it's useful even in the day for severe flare-ups. But I completely agree that neither collars nor corsets should be worn for prolonged periods. My problem started nearly 30 years ago after a car accident, and I'm able to deal with it by the collar at night, Dihydrocodeine, and occasionally voltarol.
I'm sure it's important to keep as active as possible, but families (and GPs) need to understand that it can be a significantly disabling condition for a minority of us. It has stopped me working, and limits my ability to paint, which I love to do. If diagnosed with it, take all the physio and other help you can get as early as possible, and ensure you are not written off by the medics - badger them until you get help that works for you.