Finally seeing a Rheumy - 10/18/14 12:12 AM
Well, all this time I've been trying to go the "natural path" but got hit again with scleritis. Always me and the eyes...
Thinking, again, that I had something in my eye, I went to Urgent Care, and again was given the wrong eye drops. The following Monday, I went straight to Ophthalmology and the Dr. there made sure to get me in the "system" so that the next time, I'm given the right medication based on my history of eye problems.
Then I decided I should be in the "system" with a Rheumatologist. I have to be referred, surprise! Got an appointment with a GP, and got the full treatment. X-Rays of the entire spine and SI joints, and the full AS blood workup. At least now I'll have a definitive look at the whole thing.
HLA-B27 was negative three years ago, but this doc wants it on her books as well.
So, here's what the spine X-ray results are. I'd like imput, please.
FINDINGS: Two views of the cervical spine demonstrate moderate disc height loss at C5-6 and C6-7 and mild disc height loss at C7-T1.
Two views of the thoracic spine demonstrate moderate degenerative changes of the upper to mid-thoracid spine.
Two views of the lumbar spine demonstrate moderate to severe disc height loss at L5-S1. There are lower lumbar spine facet degenerative changes.
Apparently, there is no "effusion of the SI joints" according to the results, even though I have hip pain and have osteophytes on my left hip.
So, even though I now have actual X-Rays taken by a medical center, I'm more confused than ever. Two Ophthalmologists have told me AS is the cause of Scleritis, yet I'm not told that there is certain fusion of the spine, only "disc height loss."
Just finished with the worst-ever flare-up. Pain in ALL joints. Lower intestinal swelling and bloating, knee pain, hip pain, face pain, the worst back stiffness in a long time on standing up (from the couch or from bed, you pick), chronic cough. It all started with a head cold back in August and got worse and worse over two months. This week is the first week I feel somewhat normal, with the exception of my tailbone, which is very painful ALL the time right now.
Anyone?
Thinking, again, that I had something in my eye, I went to Urgent Care, and again was given the wrong eye drops. The following Monday, I went straight to Ophthalmology and the Dr. there made sure to get me in the "system" so that the next time, I'm given the right medication based on my history of eye problems.
Then I decided I should be in the "system" with a Rheumatologist. I have to be referred, surprise! Got an appointment with a GP, and got the full treatment. X-Rays of the entire spine and SI joints, and the full AS blood workup. At least now I'll have a definitive look at the whole thing.
HLA-B27 was negative three years ago, but this doc wants it on her books as well.
So, here's what the spine X-ray results are. I'd like imput, please.
FINDINGS: Two views of the cervical spine demonstrate moderate disc height loss at C5-6 and C6-7 and mild disc height loss at C7-T1.
Two views of the thoracic spine demonstrate moderate degenerative changes of the upper to mid-thoracid spine.
Two views of the lumbar spine demonstrate moderate to severe disc height loss at L5-S1. There are lower lumbar spine facet degenerative changes.
Apparently, there is no "effusion of the SI joints" according to the results, even though I have hip pain and have osteophytes on my left hip.
So, even though I now have actual X-Rays taken by a medical center, I'm more confused than ever. Two Ophthalmologists have told me AS is the cause of Scleritis, yet I'm not told that there is certain fusion of the spine, only "disc height loss."
Just finished with the worst-ever flare-up. Pain in ALL joints. Lower intestinal swelling and bloating, knee pain, hip pain, face pain, the worst back stiffness in a long time on standing up (from the couch or from bed, you pick), chronic cough. It all started with a head cold back in August and got worse and worse over two months. This week is the first week I feel somewhat normal, with the exception of my tailbone, which is very painful ALL the time right now.
Anyone?