Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Other conditions, Osteoporosis, Hypogonadism

Hi all,

I don't really have anyone else to ask advice so thought I'd ask on here. I have AS and part of my spine has already fused which I can accept as there's nothing I can do about that now. But I have been thinking I can't do anything about that but I can do something about everything else.

For the last few years my shoulders have become extremely stiff, and occasionally sore in the collarbone. I can not raise my arms much higher than parallel toy shoulder. Reaching things on high shelves has become almost impossible. Is anyone else experiencing this or is this not related to AS? My Rheumy said it could be osteoporosis but never sent me for examinations. I would really like to figure out why I have this and what it is so I can fix it.

Another condition I think isn't have is Hypogonadism which basically means my body isn't producing enough testosterone. Some of the reason I have been thinking this are, going extremely weak particularly in legs, loss of sex drive and unable to grow a beard. I mentioned the beard thing to a friend and I have purposely let it grow for 10 days now and my friend said there's would look like that after 2 days. Even if it did let it grow it reaches a certain length and doesn't seem to grow anymore, at the moment 10 days it is probably like 5mm long (half a cm). Havering looked into Hypogonadism the symptoms are as follows:


Erectile dysfunction
Infertility
Decrease in beard and body hair growth
Decrease in muscle mass
Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)
Fatigue
Decreased sex drive
Difficulty concentrating
Hot flashes

I have had nearly all of these symptoms, and in the past when me and my GF have had unprotected sex she never got pregnant even tho we done it say like at least 50 times. In a way I hope I have this condition just so I know why I feel the way I do and can start getting treatment. Does any suffer with similar problems?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

Joe

I guess the next step would be an endocrinologist if you want to check out the hypogonadism. Hope you can get some answers.

I found this on the net

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC64847/

I am going to go to the GP on Tuesday and request to have bloods or saliva test, to test levels of Testosterone. I am 99% sure I have this

Hi, Joe:



This is a result of bursitis related to AS; I have had this and it took a long time to resolve, even after I got rid of active symptoms.

Osteoporosis is a fact and factor in AS and can be measured by loss in height, as our vertebrae collapse.

I am also treated for lowT, a result of metabolic syndrome nearly indirectly related to AS or drugs used to treat it or post-surgical interventions (too much steroid).

AS affects nearly every cell in the body; every condition or new observation is almost certain to be related to this disease.

HEALTH,
John

My husband has low to none on the testosterone score. I give him shot's every two weeks. His only sign was he felt weak and tired all the time. It was just a simple test his GP took and he monitors it all the time. Sure makes him feel better. You can either go in and the nurse give you your shots or your girlfriend can give them to you. Easy peasy.

I too had shoulder problems when I came out of remission from A.S. I ended up with a torn rotator cuff.

Would you say treatment for low testosterone also helps for inflammation (like steroids do)?

I would also like to know this