Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Uh oh... little bro

My 16 y/o brother has, thus far, been the only family member to escape medical perils of any consequence. EVERYONE in our immediate family deals/dealt with one or more rheumatic/autoimmune condition(s) (Except me, it's all in my head...). 3 of my 4 grandparents do as well. I won't even get into great grand people and aunts and uncles. The past few months he has been complaining of knee, hip, and hand pain--to the point he can't walk home after school or wring out a wash cloth. He recently, following in the footsteps of his revered big sister, developed severe TMJ symptoms. This last week he finally saw the TMJ specialist to whom I give full credit for my ability to open my mouth more than a centimeter (which my brother currently can't). On the x-rays he sees "decreased calcium density" in his jaw. Can you see that on an x-ray? If osteoporosis/osteopenia is so rare and virtually unheard of in youngsters what is the chance of it happening to both kids in one little family? Coincidence? I can't seem to dredge up any info and calcium/bone density and jaws. He *finally* has an appointment next week to evaluate for arthritis, it took awhile to find a doctor who would see him. Thoughts? Guesses? Opinions? Predictions? Is the poor kid doomed? My poor mother. I feel terribly bad for him, but if that little imp gets a diagnosis in a week that I've been persuing for 15 years... Does anyone know of any elusive info on juvenile osteoporosis/osteopenia?

'Erie

P.S. Like my new sig? MrsKickAS/Deb found it for me!

Sorry to hear about your brother!!!
Can't help with your questions......but I do know he has a loving and caring sister!!!
Just wanted to say that I absolutely love your dancing violin!!!!!!!

Take Care
Ann

angel kisses to you all xxx

Hi Erie,
I haven't ever heard of a young version of osteoporosis or that it would affect a youngster. It is even rare for men to have as well. But there is Juvenile Rheumatiod Arthritis and A.S. A.S. shows a brittling of the bone which looks alot like osteoporosis. So either of these could be the culprit. And Lupus should not be over looked either. He also could have the calcium deficiency disease...(can't remember the exact name of it though). There are tons of possibilities. IF he is diagnosed with A.S., that should help your plight as well. Doctors are not as reluctant to diagnose A.S. in males. But It's like pulling teeth for you women who have A.S. The docs would rather loose their license than diagnose a female with A.S. because it is "rare".


Somedays it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

Hi. At age 16 I too had excrutiating pain in my left wrist. I would wake up at night and run water from the faucet over it for hours. My wrist is completly stiff now and doesn't hurt anymore. On a more personal note I have a 24 year daughter graduateing in May from graduate school with a Masters Degree in piano performance. She nor my 16 year old son show any signs of AS.

Hey love the dancing fiddle also prayers for little brother LUV Elspeth

I hope he has a better time with the doctors than you. I'd hate to think that two of you have it all in your head. Seriously, I'm sorry to hear the news. But with both of you affected with more than likely the same thing, you could be on the way to a definate dx. (And about time.)

The day I was dx'd, I called my little sister and told her I knew what was causing her back and hip pain. She made an appointment, and was told her sister had to have been misdiagnosed since women don't get AS. An intern looked at her x-rays and called her back and apologized. I didn't even have official x-ray changes myself, but was dx'd by my eye specialist. By last fall, I was down to a dx of seronegative spondylarthropy. Luckily, I was able to pass screening to get into the AS Enbrel study. So it's official, I have AS. (But my doctor still doesn't believe that I have pain.)

I hope you both find relief soon. And I love your new signature. It looks so happy. (Can a violin look happy??)I have not been brave enough to try my violin, as my shoulders, elbows, wrists, and fingers are still very inflamed. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stand the disappointment. But I am back to playing the piano every day, and it has been so healing for my soul.

Hugs,

Cindy

Erie,

Can't help you with advice but I do want to lend my support for your bro and hope he gets some relief.

.....and I LOVE your new sig
It's so you

linda

Sorry to hear about your bro.
So when are you gonna add a sound clip of one of your pieces? Gonna need one now to go with your playing sig!

Doug You ain't doing Jack!

Hi Erie,

First off, I love your new sig!

I'm sorry to hear that your little brother is going through so much. You both will be in my prayers. I don't know what to tell you about the possibility of him getting a Dx. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you. I'm sorry that so much of your family has been effected by arthritis.

Take care my friend

Daniel

Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS