If you're a woman it takes like forever to get a DX of AS, the so-called "Man's disease." Even with evidence smacking the docs in the face, they always seem to hedge their bets. I had symptoms since I was in my late 20s, was DXed with RA when I was 33 - - well, they had to come up with something, I had peripheral joint involvement (my left ankle, damage they could readily see and therefore couldn't ignore) - - but all my complaints about pain in my lower back and going out over the top of my hips was somehow dismissed. I finally got a DX of AS two years ago, which was over 20 years later.

As far as treatments, some people swear by and have good luck with the no starch diet. I tried it, didn't perform any miracles, but then I don't believe my condition started with reactive arthritis (which is triggered by an infection) so perhaps I wasn't a good candidate. I went through all the NSAIDS over the past two decades with sometimes moderate relief, sometimes just a stomach ache, and sometimes dangerous side effects (Celebrex elevated my BP to dangerous levels). I perersonally think the future of viable treatment options will be the DMARDS (disease modifying drugs) such as Enbrel, Remicade, and what I'm on Arava, which has been the first drug that has ever really gotten rid of 90% of the pain and much of the stiffness, so I can now lead more or less a normal life. Also has pretty much gotten rid of Sjogrens Syndrome (dry eye and dry mouth and dry other things in the body we can't see or feel), very uncomfortable to feel like you always have sand in your eyes, and also TMJ. It has also helped my peripheral joints, I have a fused left foot that has been very painful over the years.

Oh, and welcome to KickAS

Cheryl

Sugar Magnolia wishes everyone a Happy New Year!

My guy If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Author Unknown