Hi everyone, due to AS degeneration the MRI shows edema in one of my lumbar vertebra..not knowing about my diagnoses of AS, radiologist report suspects sports damage under question mark:)

Has any of you been treated over the same problem and what was the treatment protocol/drugs and how long it took to heal? Also if i go to an orthopedist instead of rheumatologist would the treatment and drugs used differ? Thanks

I have oedema in my spine, seen on MRI Saggital STIR tau1, tau2 fat supression etc etc - no treatment. Several years of thoracic inflammation, but now nay too bad. (I put this down to taking LDN, low dose Naltrexone - holds inflammation at bay).

Thanks Molly, seems like edema could stay with ongoing inflammation right? My rheumy saw the report and wants me to move onto using MTX and said nothing else for edema treatment...

How odd - I was offered nothing for my oedema...mind you, me and drugs don't mix well, so she probably took that into account But would check it out Petra, with a good search into publications on the subject. PubMed, Medline, google etc etc. See what you can find.

Hope others will jump in here though - but don't recollect any posts on the subject... See what develops. Main thing is, don't get anxious about it.

Take care -

Petra, try this search criteria:-

Spinal oedema in ankylosing spondylitis

I found lots of interesting looking hits - have fun checking em out...

Hi Petra: I just wanted you to know I take injectable methotrexate and it is helping. Can't say I am pain free but my pain has decreased. I tolerate Methotrexate better than biologics. Methotrexate helps slow the progression of AS and it decreases pain and inflammation, which would decrease swelling too. I do take folic acid with it to decrease side-effects but I skip the folic acid the day of the shot.

Flector patches are helping me too over my SI joints.

Shari

Thank you for your replies..
Winter I don't really want to start using this mtx as i have history of thyroid cancer, that's despite I was giving the lowest injectable dose..
I am one of those lucky ones that have no pain but just soreness due to inflammation and its mild stiffness. My lower back is worse, if I jump or hit something with my foot,I am almost to trip over onto floor as I cannot control my lower back mussels.. I am currently on naprosyn but I wish there was just herbal remedy to finish this inflammation without having to consult such strong medication with heavy side effects..

I am confused they found an edema on my pelvis and then nothing. Should I be getting treatment?

Dunno Petra - but you could 'try' LDN. It dealt with my inflammation. To the extent that am not too bothered with it now, just a slight 'simmer' under the surface. And, there are no side effects to be too concerned about - strange and vivid dreams say some, me? am still waiting for these dreams...

Actually I slept unusually lightly for several days when first taking LDN, but that effect wore off before it got too annoying