seronegative spondylarthropathy

Hi, I have been diagnosed with this after 4 months of severe & crippling problems. I am still not clear what this means...does it mean possibly 1 or more of RA, AS, & a few others?   Originally everyone thought RA & Reactive.  I have the B27 gene and AS is in my family.  I have had severe joint problems with knees, elbow, jaw, wrists, hips, SI, lumbar, spine, shoulder, neck etc.  Had a lot of relief with high doses of prednisone but get flairs when going below 20mg.  Need to go low this month to 5-7 mg and am on 6th week of sulfasalazine, with no improvements noted.  Am told Biologics is next treatment in 6 weeks if no improvement.  This whole thing is shocking, am doing good considering, but am really wondering if I will ever get back anywhere near to my old life re activity, energy.  I was transformed almost overnight from an active 52 yr old to someone that is 100 years old regarding mobility of a healthy 100 yr old.   Am following the Inflammation Free Diet, taking a zillion supplements and drugs.  

[TrudieC]

This means you can have any of ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter's syndrome), psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis (spondylitis/arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease), and undifferentiated SpA but your blood is not leading them to a definitive answer.  Most people do live long and productive lives but it is very important to be aware of any complications and to ensure you get treatment.  These types of arthritis respond well to physical activity.  You really need to find a way to be active with swimming, walking, and bicycling being good options.   This will also improve your energy.  

I would also encourage you to talk to your doctor and determine if you might be suffering from depression.  When we get a diagnosis like this and because we live with chronic pain it is very common for depression to happen.  I was much better equipped and had a big improvement in my energy after my depression was treated.

Do ensure you also get your iron, B12 and vitamin D levels tested in order to determine if they affect your activity levels.  A gluten free diet also helps some people.

[coho57]

thanks so much for your reply.  Am doing much better re mobility & am doing every treatment out of there, so not sure what is working, but something is, including better weather. Chronic high pain did wear me right out so right now it's managed for most of the day.  The biggest change i've made is following the Inflammation free diet.