Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group This is how my specialist appointment went

That's what I feared, Sue. That's a tough one - I feel I am constantly holding out hope for drugs or treatments that deal with underlying cause, whether it's dietary or medication. It would be a frustrating feeling to know that symptom management is your only option.

That's why I don't know whether to say "great, that you don't have AS" to Magician. Severe osteo might be a worse diagnosis.

Keep us in the loop, Magician. I'm really hoping for a good outcome for you.

and for people without a definitive dx of autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, often we are treated with the same sorts of treatments they give to osteo patients, NSAIDs and pain meds, when something really could be given to stop the underlying cause.

i think part of the problem with osteo, as far as the medical establishment is concerned, is that its not seen as a serious issue. many if not most people develop osteo as they get older and for most of those people, its not overly severe, where over the counter meds can suffice. so no real incentive to research further treatments.

just like the tendonitis that many of us here experience, the medical establishment is so used to "everybody" developing "a little bit of tendonitis" that they don't seem to understand the amount of pain and loss of function that really severe tendon issues can cause. some doctors do, but many, from my experience brush it off. or even if they seem to understand the significance, don't seem to understand how to treat it.

but i'm with you, hope there is more that can be done for severe cases of osteo, hope more doctors, like the doctor magician saw, appreciate how serious it can be.

Most of the people I meet who have been diagnosed with osteo are never referred to a rheumy, but given treatment symptomatically through their GPs. Most of these people are never even told it's osteo, just 'arthritis'.

There's a woman works in the food court I go to. I see her every day (because hers is the best food for me) and she is in pain all the time - lower back (hips, SI, lumbar), thoracic and I just found out she has IBS as well. Hmmmm. She told me last week she's been diagnosed with arthritis as well as IBS. Hmmmmm. I asked her what kind of arthritis. The doctor didn't tell her! I have strongly (STRONGLY) recommended she be referred to a rheumy because it sounds to me like she might have an inflammatory arthritis and a specialist might be able to help her find the proper treatment. Naprosyn isn't helping, you see. Hmmmm. It never helped me, either, by the way.

Unfortunately, she's been in pain for so long that she's become quite defeatist about it. I doubt she'll follow through with a request for a rheumy.

Magician, I hope they can pinpoint exactly what's going on with you. Sounds like you're off to a good start. By the way, what did the specialist base his opinion on? I'm curious is all.

Hugs,

I don't know myself. Hoping my regular doctor can fill me in on the xray results next week. Regarding with is worse in my mind they are both bad. I have had back problems since I flew backwards into the cab hitch of the truck. Exactly where I hit is where my back has for years been hurting. I have gone for much chiro and much physio. In the end, it comes back in some different form of pain.

thank you, Wendy. I pray this pain will go away. The Athrotec is handling the pain but is it addictive? I am now taking it at 7:30 at night and crashing by 9. It is supposed to provide pain relief for 12 hours. My joints are still popping like crazy.

His opinion is based upon examining me. He saw how I walk. He also viewed the xray done previously (a year ago), saw me walking hunched and being in pain for his examination.

He has seen my spine has 'shifted' and is no longer straight as it should be.

My chest was crushed by the impact.

My chest was crushed by the impact.

Magician - Sounds like an excellent consultaiton. Yea. So great to hear of a 'good' one! Hope he is able to sort the problems for you.

Best and take care -

Molly C (France)
Keeping on Keeping on

Thank you, Mollyc1i, I am confident things are moving along finally. Just sorry it took so many years to get to this point.