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 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 RepliesAnkylosing Spondylitis :: Back Braces Helpful In Maintaining Body Posture?
I'm started bending forward due to AS, my neck has also bent slightly rightwards. Will back brace assist in keeping my posture.
View 1 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 RepliesBack Issues :: Spinal Cord Stimulator Or Spinal Fusion Surgery?
I had back surgery in March 2013 that left me with mechanical instability, acquired spondylolisthesis and lots of pain.
I have 2 ortho spine surgeons telling me that I need a bi-level spinal fusion surgery to repair the damage, but after the botched first surgery, the thought of another surgery scares me to death. Plus, since surgery is what spine surgeons do, the recommendation seems obvious.
I also started seeing a new pain management doctor (we moved to a new state) and he is suggesting that I consider a spinal cord stimulator trial, with surgical implantation if we find that it helps the pain.
So...I'm left confused. I see the positives and negatives of each, but I'm just not sure if one makes more sense over the other. I think that my spondylolisthesis will worsen over time and could pose a threat of nerve damage, while the spinal cord stimulator is designed to mask pain and does nothing to address the instability.
I'd love to know if anyone else has faced a similar decision...or has thoughts, ideas, comments, suggestions for considering one over the other.
Spondylitis :: Scared Of Enbrel Side Effects
I am a vocal coach, and around about 30 students a week. I have developed Spondylitis in my hips and my Dr prescribed Enbrel after a 2 month period of taking large amounts of Aleve and cortisone shots in hips and sacroiliac joint. I am terrified of the side effects. I teach voice all day and that is my income. I am afraid of getting sick and losing work but the pain from the arthritis can on some days be very depressing. Feel between a rock and a hard place.
Thyroid :: What A 6.7% Uptake Means In Scan?
Can someone explain what a 6.7% uptake means in regard to a thyroid scan? I took a radioactive pill 6 hours prior to the scan. Hyperthyroidism is suspected, which was the reason for the scan.
View 1 RepliesMRI Scan Show Up A Non Functioning Gallbladder?
I have been having pain in my upper right abdomen for about 4 months. It can be extremely painful contraction like spasms, lasting from 2 hrs to 10 hrs.
I have had blood tests that have shown liver function issues. I have had an ultrasound that showed a contracted non functioning gall bladder.
I have recently had an MRI scan that was normal according to my GP, I was given this as the consultant felt I may have a blocked duct that was causing the liver function abnormalities?? I am still waiting to see the consultant regarding the scan results.
Daily I have sharp twinges just under my ribs on the right side which lets me know something is still going on.
Can a gallbladder start to function again? Would an MRI scan show up a non functioning gall bladder?
I am confused and surprised that the mri results have not backed u the other results. I cant get to see the consultant for another 3 weeks!
CT Scan Showed I Had Mild Prostatitis
In short, I (27) was diagnosed with bladder neck stenosis and underwent BNI surgery 4 months ago. I was unable to pee at all. My urinary symptoms are much improved and although my flow rate is still on the low side (15ml/sec), I can fully empty my bladder.
I was in the hospital for a week before doctors diagnosed the reason for my urinary retention. A CT scan showed I had mild prostatitis.
Now I feel I have recovered somewhat but about 2.5 weeks ago, pain associated with prostatitis returned. I went to a Urologist who told me to get a few tests done: CBC, Urine DR, bladder PVR and uroflowmetry. He also prescribed 10 days of antibiotics. The tests seem to be normal with the exception of 4-6 pus cells in my urine. I have not returned to the doctor since.
The pain went away in about a week but has returned. No fever, just a mild constant pain in by upper buttocks area which gets better in the morning. I also have occasional burning pain between my scrotum and anus. My penis feels sore as if I just ejaculated. Occasionally there is sharp pain in the shaft of my penis. I am also experiencing frequent nocturnal emissions. My libido is almost non-existent but when I try I am able to achieve a decent erection.
I have had these symptoms on and off for a few years but although annoying, I did nothing. My GP just tells me to take painkillers. I have read about the kinds of prostatitis and nobody has been able to tell me what exactly is wrong. I have taken 4 rounds of antibiotics (7-10 days) in the last 4 months. It may be of bacterial origin; I was diagnosed with epididymitis 6 months ago with prostatitis symptoms and it cleared up with Cipro.
What Caused Scars On Your Lungs Just From A CT Scan?
Is it possible to tell what caused scars on your lungs just from a CT scan? Do different causes look different?
View 2 Replies(Age 18-24) Pregnancy :: 4D Anatomy Scan Was Amazing
I'd my anatomy scan this morning and it was absolutely amazing she even done a 4d scan which I wasn't expecting and my boy is super cute chewing his fists and er... peeing!
He's 13 ounces in weight
I'm sooo happy loved the 4d seeing his lil face... do they look like their 4d when born?