Ankylosing spondylitis

[dustybrown]

Is it possible to have a mild form of this and to not get properly diagnosed for years? My father had Reiter's Syndrome as a young man and I know that there is some kind of genetic marker in both diseases that makes you susceptible. When I was 18 I began having trouble with my lower back and was diagnosed with sciatica. I've since been diagnosed with DDD, a bulging and torn disc (lumbar and bulging cervical discs), tendinitis in my wrists, knees (at 17, I used to have to wrap them in bandages) and shoulder, bone spurs in my shoulder, TMJ, nerve damage in my lower back confirmed by an EMG, bilateral facet arthritis and scoliosis in my lower back which seems to be getting worse. I have headaches a lot and pain in my back and legs. I also have numbness in my left foot and leg. I don't seem to be having any fusion of discs or spinal stenosis at this point, but it seems like things are not right. I do see a Rhuematologist and I am sure she's tested me for some stuff, but is there a specific test for Ankylosing spondylitis?    

[Byron_C_Trott]

Ask around, Google Local  "Rheumatolagsts" and "Ankylosing Spondylitis". The tests are painless and easy to get: X Ray of pelvis and blood test for AK gene, and Sedimentation Rate.
I was originally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis fo 40 years. Treatments are quite different, though both are immuno insufficient, and probable inherited. My father always complained he that he couldn't reach his feet.
Ask your doctor for copies of your blood tests. You can obtain the English answers of the various test names by searching Google for lab test terminology. You are going to have to educate yourself quickly.
If you have damage to your Lumbar Sping and have Ankylosing Spondylitis, the spinal issues will not heal. Back bone natural repair  with this disease is inferior, if at all.

[ponyshel]

Have a rheumotologist test for a gene marker HLAB 27 I had similiar dxs  through the years and was just dx with AS...it explained alot...Ankylosing Spondlioarthropothy...good luck

[txsilver]

All of the tests provide indicators, antibodies that are present, genetic markers that predispose us to conditions.  These tests alone cannot make a diagnosis.  It is the combination of lab work, examinations, symptoms, xrays and MRIs that provide the detail to put together a diagnosis.  You might want to consider getting a second or third opinion.  See a specialist in AS.  Rheumatology is a vast field and sometimes it helps to see someone with more experience in the suspect condition.