diagnosis

headsey

i have just been told i have ankolising spondolitis.i finished work on ill health retirement in sept 2010 after being of work for a year.i was diagnosed with copd and sleep apnea.
i was referred to a rheumaogist by my chest specialist.
i already had gout and she said i needed physio. and my medication alopurinol was doubled in dose i am due to visit the rhumatologist doctor again this month.i am very worried about the diagnosis i was given.
i visited the physio today and she told me what my problem was.is this the usual procedure.
i have looked at some of the problems relatred to this illness and realise that i already suffer from a few of them.

x:? regards headsey

helpline_team

Dear headsey

Thank you for your posting.

I’m sorry to hear about all the difficulties you are experiencing.

The usual procedure for diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis is through different blood tests. See the section on ‘How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed’ at http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis_information/arthritis_types__symptoms/ankylosing_spondylitis.aspx#non. Blood tests are usually carried out by your doctor or a rheumatologist.

For more information on copd go to http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx and on sleep apnoea to http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/pages/introduction.aspx .

I hope this helps.

Please contact our helplines on 0808 800 4050 if you would like to have a chat about your situation, or need more information.

Regards

Nick

cemc

I have to question the information you have just been given by the helpline team - as far as I am aware blood tests do not form any part of the diagnostic criteria for AS - its sacroiliac xrays or MRIs that give the information for diagnosis.

You may well have had blood tests to rule out other disorders, but not to confirm AS. The HLA B27 genetic test is sometimes done, but again, it isn't part of the diagnostic criteria as it is present in a lot of people who don't have AS.

Sounds like you need to go back to either your GP or the rheumatologist and ask a few more questions.

helpline_team

cemc wrote:

I have to question the information you have just been given by the helpline team - as far as I am aware blood tests do not form any part of the diagnostic criteria for AS - its sacroiliac xrays or MRIs that give the information for diagnosis.

You may well have had blood tests to rule out other disorders, but not to confirm AS. The HLA B27 genetic test is sometimes done, but again, it isn't part of the diagnostic criteria as it is present in a lot of people who don't have AS.

Hi - just to clarify -the AS information Nick quotes is from AR-UK and it reads:
What tests are there?
A blood test for inflammation may show an abnormal result in the early stages. There are three commonly used tests for inflammation.
You may have one or more of these tests:
•CRP (C-reactive protein)
•ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
•PV (plasma viscosity).
Another blood test can confirm whether you have the HLA-B27 gene. Most people with ankylosing spondylitis test positive for HLA-B27, but so do some healthy people. A positive test may point to AS but it won't confirm the diagnosis.
THe information then goes on to describe the use of MRI and Xray.
Hope this helps
Penn
Helplines Team

dreamdaisy

Hi headsey, I hope all is as well with you today as it can be. Of course you are fretting about your diagnosis, who wouldn't? The long-term implications of these types of conditions are not good, treatment options seem many, varied and occasionally harsh, it is a lot to take in. I don't know much about AS, but hopefully it helps being able to identify the enemy! Wait until you have seen the rheumatologist, see what he has to say. It may be worth your while compiling a list of questions to ask him - appointments can jangle the nerves and ideas can fly out of one's head - plus conversations never go the way one thinks! The helpline here may be able to provide further information - I think their info would be trustworthy, they know their stuff. I wish you well. DD