Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Brand New Here

HI!!!!

Everyone here is just awesome! Nice to "meet" you.

Jewelz

Hey there Protrainer,

I have no doubt you're going to love this place!

I am floored by the Plato quote you have there as well.

Take good care of yourself and welcome

Chris

Having lurked around and read a number of your incredibly insightful posts, Chris, I'm flattered that you even noticed the Plato quote I've chosen for my signature. Thanks for that!
And thanks for your many insights so far!
Cheers,
PT

Hey,
Protrainer, I am in the same boat as you. I am also new here and this is actually the first comment i wrote on this site. I was looking for somebody who was in a similar situation i am in. I have shoulder, and neck pain the worst. My right knee swells but doesn't really hurt. My lower back was really the thing that bothered me the least and that was the hint that led doctors to think i have AS. Go figure. They took xrays and saw changes in my SI Joints. I have not been diagnosed yet, i am in the process of trying to see a Rhumathologist. I came accross this site about a week ago and it is nice to know there were other people out there like me. I'd be curious to what your Rhumathologist would say compared to mine and id say you be curious as well. Would you be willing to take the TNF blockers, i think i would. I wonder if many other people take them. I am also from Canada (Newfoundland) and i am 26 years old. Hope to hear back from you.
Cheers

Welcome to you both then! There are many experienced folks here from whom you can learn - at least I have gleaned a lot especially how to cope and the great support I receive in those frail moments.

This is a great place to be

Hi Protrainer

Welcome

I am HLA B27 positive, and finally diagnosed with PsA (Psoriatic Spondylitis arthritis) by Dr. Gladman at Toronto Western Hospital.

For years I showed many signs of AS - because of Age & Gender (I believe), the AS was changed to PsA. As PsA is the sister to AS, and the drugs used for pain, depression are the same, the diagnoses (of PsA or AS) doesn't matter. (As I am unable to take drugs because of allergies, just knowing the diagnoses does help.)

Hugs
Gerri

Welcome to the site...I am also in Ontario...north of Toronto.
Dan

Nice to hear from so many...thanks all. Mooseman...I see Rheumy again in Jan...I'll let everyone know what he says then.
Dan...I too am North of TO...but a lot of things are
Gastro says IBS is a yes...but apparently that's pretty normal for we 'perimenopausal women'.
Went to have the blood tests as requested by Rheumy...took several vials (the tech jokingly asked me what I did to make the Dr. so mad at me!)...and then, while I was waiting for my son to have lung x-rays (flu got our whole family...another story in itself!)they came to tell me, there was a problem. Apparently, they don't do HLA B27 tests on Fridays. (nope, not kidding) So, I have to go back to do that one again. And, in discovering the 'not on Friday thing', it was requested I go to the larger 'city' hospital, rather than my local hospital to have the blood drawn anyway...rather inconvenient, but I guess we do what we must.
In the meantime...Celebrex is pretty much useless into week 4, but some days are better than others, so I'm plugging along.
Must say, this is a really great place to visit. Always something interesting, informative and uplifting to read.
Liking the new shout thing!

Cheers all!
PT

Welcome protrainer and MooseMan!!

I fairly new myself and this site and these people have changed the way I view the world! Everyone is supportive and so caring - they truly understand what you are going through. I no longer feel alone in my disease. Here is to hoping you get out of it as much as I did!

Don

Welcome to KA!

Hugs,