Ankylosing Spondylitis - potential diagnosis?

cmutter

Hi guys, (apologies for the long post)

I hope you are all well and looking forward to the festive break.

I have an appointment with a specialist in the morning and whilst I'm looking forward to potentially being able to be offered treatment for my symptoms, I'm keen to understand what I may be walking into.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 5 years ago and since them every ache or pain I have had has been put down to that and the GP has simply increased my meds.

Since early October the pain in my lower back has become unbearable, mostly at night time and it wakes me up numerous times. Pain and stiffness in the morning leaves me being unable to do very little for the first hour or so. I pushed for an MRI (results below) and have since had a second one on my SI joints for further investigation - the results from this will be discussed with me tomorrow.

Do the results below ring any bells with anyone who has knowledge on AS? I've researched the condition in depth and I keep coming back to the same conclusion that there is a strong possibility this is AS.

Medication - prolonged release oxycodone hydrochloride 15 mg (recently increased from 10mg), 350mg pregabalin and amitriptyline.

MRI -
• Mild left-convex lumbar scoliosis with rotational component
• Mild straightening of the normal lumbar lordosis
• Bone marrow oedema in the anterosuperior corners of T12 - L2
• Mild hypertrophy of the ligamenta flava and facet joints L1/L2, L3/L4, L4/L5, L5, S1
• Subtle disc bulging L3/L4
• Mild disc bulging & small foraminol annual fissures L4/L5
• Subtle disc bulging L5/S1

Really appreciate any advice you may be able to provide.

Take care

[Deleted User]

Hello cmutter, and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear you have been having such a difficult time. Waiting for a new diagnosis can be an unsettling time. The good news is that you have an appointment with your doctor tomorrow which will hopefully bring you some answers. It sounds as though you have done a lot of research and will be well prepared with questions for your doctor tomorrow.

We cannot offer medical advice on the forum, but I am sure our members will soon jump in to share their own experiences with you.

I am sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing. I have provided a link with information on various pain management options. Different things work for different people and I hope you find something useful here.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I do hope tomorrow’s appointment provides you with some answers and a way forward in terms of treatment options.
Please check back in and let us know how you get on.

I hope you are still able to enjoy the festive break!

Best Wishes,
Alice

stickywicket

I presume you mean ankylosing spondylitis not spondylosis. They are different. Spondylosis isn't autoimmune. AS is.

I'm sorry, I can't interpret your MRI results. I don't speak medic and would need a translator Your consultant will be your best bet for that.

Try not to overthink things. Try to listen as much as ask. AS isn't great (I don't have it. I have RA, another autoimmune disease, plus OA) and many people are scared of the meds that we autoimmuners have to take but, believe me, I'd rather be on my DMARDS than what you're on. I needed oxycodone and amitrip briefly once and struggled to stay awake.

I hope it goes well. If you can, take someone with you as a second pair of ears.

cmutter

stickywicket wrote:

I presume you mean ankylosing spondylitis not spondylosis. They are different. Spondylosis isn't autoimmune. AS is.

I'm sorry, I can't interpret your MRI results. I don't speak medic and would need a translator Your consultant will be your best bet for that.

Try not to overthink things. Try to listen as much as ask. AS isn't great (I don't have it. I have RA, another autoimmune disease, plus OA) and many people are scared of the meds that we autoimmuners have to take but, believe me, I'd rather be on my DMARDS than what you're on. I needed oxycodone and amitrip briefly once and struggled to stay awake.

I hope it goes well. If you can, take someone with you as a second pair of ears.

I did mean spondylitis! One of those days lol

Thanks for your comment. My husband will be coming with me so yes, I will have a second pair of ears.

My Mum has lupus so I'm aware of the meds that treats conditions such as these and to be honest I would take or do anything to make the pain stop.

Take care.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

stickywicket

Hello again.

How did it go?

I hope you feel a little further on.

frogmorton

Did you get your results and did any of it help? I hope they can treat your back ((()))

Toni xx