Sacroiliitis - no evidence on the MRI? And other questions

[yankeerose1970]

I was diagnosed with sacroiliitis in Dec. of '07 and have recieved 2 steroid injections so far which has only helped marginally.  I had xrays taken of my lower spine and a MRI of my lower spine and head.  Both the xray and MRI showed no inflammation in my lower spine but yet I am in constant pain.  I am unable to take anti-inflammatories and narcotic pain relievers because I have Ulcerative Colitis.  If the MRI showed that I have no inflammation does that mean that it ISN'T sacroiliitis then?  Also, whenever I stand for long periods or bending doing chores, my lower back gets super tight and starts to spasm on me and only feels better after I lie flat (though it hurts severely when I lay flat) and it "works" itself out.  I recently went to see a rheumotologist in which I had some blood work done - I won't get the results of that for a couple weeks.  He wants to rule out other auto immune diseases.  But does the lower back spasms sound like it can be related to sacroiliitis too?  I'm getting very frustrated because no doctor can tell me WHY I am hurting all the time.  Thank you for any repsonses, suggestions or ideas!

[TrudieC]

I hope you can get some relief.  I know there can be a relationship between AS and UC.  My son gets pain in the same area with his UC and is getting relief from chiropractic care.  

[yankeerose1970]

Unfortunately I am highly allergic to codeine and other narcotic pain relievers cause massive constipation in me (and I can't take fiber to regulate myself because it causes massive diarrhea).  The only one that I can take somewhat is Darvocet. Right now I am on Colazal and 6mp.  

[TrudieC]

Sometimes auto-immune arthritis diseases take time to show up in your bloodwork.  Continued testing may reveal your issues.  I know with Lupus this is true.  I hope you can get some answers.  

I am curious as to why you can't take narcotic pain relievers.  Both my son and I have had ulcerative colitis and taken Tylenol 3's for the pain.  What drugs are you on for your colitis?  My son is doing fantastic in Imuran and with an immune suppressant you just might kill what is causing your other pain.

[yankeerose1970]

Just to update this post.  I'm still at a loss.  The bloodwork from the rheumy doc showed everything negative.  I even had my primary test me for the HBLA-27 (not sure if I got these letters right?! lol) which is usually a sign that someone has AS.  That was negative as well.  I still have back spasms and SI joint pain - though not as severe as before (SI joint that is - back spasms are just as bad).  I am starting to get other joint pains as well including my fingers, my hips, my knees, sometimes my ankles and toes. I think I am going to go back to the rheumy's office soon to see if they can tell me what is going on.  Thanks for all the responses.  For some reason I didn't get any email to let me know I had them.

[cathappy123]

Hi,
Boy, its hard to believe that someone else is plagued by this secretive painful problem. I have given up my bike riding, rollerblading, running, walking, gardening, vacuuming, and swimming, which were all my passions.
The depression for giving up these things is the hardest on me.
How I wish I could find the cure.
I tried over the counter drugs then tried Mobic. Had a shot of cortizone, but it did not work for me either.
Any new ideas out there?
I have had PT also, but am now too sore daily from having to work full time, to start up with PT again.
If any one has any ideas, I would love to hear them
thanks

[tribi71]

what do you thing they trying to do surgery for my back but i scare to it

[tribi71]

que tan recomendable es la operacion del fusion  HOW GOOD is the surgery fusion but in 3 niveles thre is one like that or not because is the one some one try to do to me

[msfergy]

Yes it can cause lower back pain and down the leg also, they need xray of the sacrioliac joints and bone scan. I have AS and it is in the sacrioliac joints (Inflamation).