Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group RECOGNISING INFLAMMATORY BACK PAIN

http://www.rheumatology.org.uk/includes/documents/cm_docs/2012/r/recognisinginflammatorybackpain.pdf

Whilst hunting for Saltire, I found this excellent PDF document done by the UK Rheumatology Association for the Wales Health Board . Obviously a lecture to some students or GPs or other health professionals, but it's an excellent document and CLEAR - not too much medical-speak for the layman, I think!

It might be useful for some of you to show to family members or friends if they want to know what it REALLY is that you have, instead of just 2 letters from the alphabet! (or perhaps your GP - or even the odd rheumatologist might benefit from seeing a copy??? )

Thanks for sharing! So now I'm wondering if I'm over 40 do I have AS???

Hmmm.....dunno - my through-screen diagnostic skills need to be a bit sharper.... but the fact that you're on an AS support and info website dies rather increase your chances of having AS!

Dinna fash lulu - I was in my mid 50s before I went into my *first almighty flare, then the whole works set upon me. Still took many years (11) to get the DDx, but got there in the end. Am female and HLA-B27 negative - gave em a hard time ! TG I was directed to a first class rheumy. NSAIDs worked, but wrecked my gut. Cox-2, Celebrex was superb, my mainstay until it to caused side effects, GERD (but a darn good med - I swore by it). Then took Tramadol...more side effects. Oh dear ! Now take Nexen when I need owt and paracetamol / codeine. (Nexen not available in USA, don't know about the UK, but seems to be a doctor's drug of choice in France).

Lulu, go to the spondy reseasrch forum, I put up good info on the female aspect of AS. EULAR did somes good work there (European league against rheumatism - dappy name...) In fact EULAR is international with the leading lights in AS contributing papers. Interesting publications, including an excellent handbook. Yes, does very much address women, age, B-27 negative and AS.

Take care -

lulu, I was in 50's before I got the massive flaring that sent me looking for answers from doctors. BUT, in hindsight (wonderful thing - 20:20 vision) I had back pain from young teenage years, and quite a lot of it at intervals throughout my adult life plus a huge family history of autoimmune disorders. I clearly met the criteria of back pain having started well before age 30, even though I didn't complain about it until 50 something. Have a think about when yours really started.

Also, if the back pain didn't start until well after 30, have a think about other autoimmune or spondy related stuff - think psoriasis, things like repetitive strain injuries, repeated tendonitis, etc. All can build into the picture, and may have started well before your back pain.

lulu - cemc is correct. My 'first' inkling I was 15. Lots of points, culminating yrs later in that first horrific flare leading to DDx. Should have followed my father's advice and seen a rheumy of excellent choice way back when (but hated to be 'object' of such attention...doppy ole stoopid me !)

Thanks everyone! Yes, when I think back I was practically bedridden for months with severe back pain at 25. Over the yrs I thought my back pain was just due to overdoing etc. I have suffered with horrible stomach issues since my 20's as well. I have had psoriasis since I was a teen. It wasn't until this recent unending flare of severe SI joint pain, that radiates to my hips and upper buttocks, coupled with trochanter bursitis in 11/11 that I began looking for answers. Unfortunately because the flare coincided with a tick bite that has went me down a long confusing, controversial role. One the one side I have Lyme literate physicians that are convinced my symptoms are due to Lyme and even after am year of oral antibiotics I require more. On the other side is my Rheumy who does not believe in long standing Lyme treatment and is convinced I have psoriatic arthritis or AS and should try Enbrel.

Some days I just feel so lost on what to do....

Euw - what a nightmare of opinions. Would try Embrel, see if that helps. But first, check out IF will upset Lyme... Now, IF it does not, then, push ahead. Get summat going for the AS/PsA Get offf the NSAIDs, they will assuredly upset the gut.

'Might' look at LDN, low dose Naltrexone - see Alternatives forum on KA. Several here are on it to good effect. Might help you on both counts - Lyme as well as the AS ! Is also good for the gut problems (has helped me). That and LSD, low starch diet.

Take care -

Molly,
What is nexen? Is it a nsaid , pain med or muscle relaxer? I am curious since you said in France it is prescribed a lot and I wonder what we have here that is close to it.

I don't know about the Lyme, but do tend to agree with your rheumy.

The psoriasis and GI issues are often part of the spondy package.

I didn't start with the arthritis until 35, the flares did start fairly abruptly, but started with the severe GI inflammation and bowel issues at 29-30. and now looking back and on Humira so I know what a normal bowel is like, think I've had that bubbling in the background my whole life. The psoriasis, not sure when that kicked in as I just always thought it was "dry skin" patches I was getting, and since some eucerin fixed it, I didn't worry about it. Looking back too, had eye flare ups - no residual inflammation damage, so probably just the dry eyes.

I give the biologics two thumbs up.