it is splitting hairs, but most docs can not and will not say you have ankylosis when you do not have any sign of bone fusion that is what it means.
That is why so many people can not understand why they are only told they have fibromylegia or a spondylitis.
As I have always said, this is a weird disease, the accurate name is only for when you have fused not the disease leading up to it which can take years.
That is why markers like hlaB27 are so important, they can then say you are probably likely to go on to AS so we had better start some therapy.
I know that it sounds pretty crappy but it is a crappy disease and with Lawyers hiding behind each door (no disrespect to Stevec) docs are running scared of litigation and this shows up when you apply for disability, how do you explain to a government laky, yea I have AS, but it wont show on the xray for another ten years, oh right.
If you have time check the lupus site www.lupusuk.com, you will see they have the same symptons and the same problems at diagnosis, they also have spondy, fibro and RA but you have more chance of dying because of this disease than AS and we with lupus also have to see a rheumy, this is where accurate diagnosis and description is critical. I have both only because males are hard to put into the picture with sle, so I have dle and AS which fits into their neat little boxes.
Sorry to ramble but any body can pm me if they wish to clarify any points.
rat
