Rheumatology appt useful but not!

Pherstun

I went for my follow up rheumy appointment on Tuesday.

She looked at the xray and said I have borderline Ankylosing Spondylitis. Not much of a surprise there and grateful it's borderline but still means I have it I guess although it's not affecting my mobility much at the mo. I go back in 2-3 months when she has the combined clinic with the colitis specialist.

She said I don't have any markers for anything else but said I did clearly have some inflammatory issues, although she's not sure what's going on. She gave a Depo-Medrone injection (which is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, a form of prednisolone) to see how that works and then they can consider other medication.

It's quite an uncomfortable injection and the nurse told me it can take a few days to work. It should spread through my whole system and can also help with rhinitis and Crohn's, we'll see!

Interestingly I found out from the leaflet they gave me about AS that it can affect not only the back but also the back of the legs, the knees and ankles... I guess it makes sense because your whole body will be out of line if your back's wonky. I had assumed from what I read about AS online that my other lower joints must be affected by something else, although it could still be the hypermobile joints.

I woke up on Thursday with no pain in my back! I didn't even feel I needed to do my stretches (although I did them). My hips were still a bit painful and I'm stiff as normal but at least it doesn't hurt. I even went round the supermarket today without actually leaning on my sticks.

I'm still waiting for the podiatrist appointment and the rheumy said she'd chase it up as she feels it's urgent, and I also saw the physio who ended up treating my shoulder instead of my back, as it's the worst part for pain. We shall see how they go too!

Debbie

skezier

Hi Debbie,

Glad they did the Dep medrone as it can really help.Sometimes I find they do and sometimes they don't but they are always worth a go.

Glad the back isn't doing too much to you just now but mine always needs to be stretched even if its not too bad otherwise i find it won;t last the day. Mines no as but it is fusing its self up just the same and the stretches are so important.

I have never found the dm has helped with the crohn's though but with luck that's just me and it can.

Fingers crossed the podont appointment comes through soon and you can get a lot of help to keep things ticking by quietly for some time to come. keep in touch please? Cris x