Going forward with diagnosis

I will continue to explore the Erase AS (ankylosing spondylitis) site...

http://www.eraseas.com/research.htm

Flares (acute symptomatic episodes followed by remission) occur chronically since AS is a life-long disease. Once the early stages of inflammation are behind you, the severity of these flare-ups may subside to a mild or moderate level. Of course the intensity of the disease’s activity varies from person to person without regard to age, race or gender.

The following list includes the range of different symptoms commonly associated with AS. Symptoms are arranged in the general order of occurrence during AS progression.

Sacroiliitis: Inflammation of the sacroiliac joints – where the spine meets the pelvis (SI).

Enthesitis: Inflammation of the enthesis (where the joint capsules, ligaments and tendons attach to the bone). This includes swelling and tenderness along joints like the back, pelvis, chest and heel.Inflammation of the heel can have a serious impact on person’s mobility. Inflammatory spots include the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.

Spinal Conditions: The repair process following inflammation leads to scarring of the tissue and extra bone formation along the spine. During severe stages of AS, incessant healing and inflammation can cause fusion of the spine and sometimes other joints as the disease progresses. This leads to an increased possibility of spinal fractures since the spine has little flexibility, and bone formed during the fusion is weak. It also causes great discomfort to the person since he or she may be forced into a stooped position – which is thankfully far less common now with treatment advances and information on posture.

Hip and Shoulder Conditions: One-third of the AS population experiences hip and shoulder problems. Hip strain comes on gradually and is often felt in the groin area, but can also be mistakenly felt in the knees or thighs – otherwise known as “referred pain”. This is sometimes misleading during an examination of inflamed areas. Hip discomfort is more common in younger people while shoulder involvement is mild.

Neck Pain: The cervical section of the spine is the most mobile area on the back and stiffness in this area can greatly affect a person’s mobility such as turning the head and looking up and down.

Knee Pain: Although knee pain and stiffness is usually associated with pain in other areas of the body like the hips, about 20 percent of people experience inflammation in the knee capsule as a separate symptom.

Jaw Pain: Approximately ten percent of people have inflammation of the jaw – making it hard to fully open their mouth when chewing.

Chest Pain: Chest pain can imitate cardiac angina – pain caused by deep breathing when the outer lining of the lungs is inflamed. Over time the joints between the ribs and spine, and where the ribs meet the breastbone, develop decreased chest expansion due to scarring of the tissue from inflammation.

Iritis (Inflammation of the eye): Thirty to forty percent of people experience iritis. Symptoms can occur in each eye at different times and include redness, pain, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. See a doctor immediately if you think you have irits.

Heart Conditions: Sometimes a rare chronic inflammation at the base of the heart around the aortic valve will occur. Long-term inflammation at these sites can lead to heart blockage and valve leakage. This problem is seen in fewer than two percent of people with AS and is detectable.

Lung Conditions: Due to chest pain and poor chest wall movement comes the possibility of fibrosis scarring at the top of the lungs. This condition can make it longer for colds and respiratory infections to heal. Smoking is out of the question.

Kidney Conditions: Kidney problems are caused by long-term treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. This condition is extremely rare in the U.S.

Neurological Complications: Very rarely, advanced AS patients experience problems from the scarring of nerves at the base of the spine. This can cause urinary retention, loss of bowel control, sexual dysfunction and pain or weakness in the legs. It is necessary to see a neurologist at this point.

Potential Cures
Currently there is no cure for AS – but that just means one hasn’t been discovered yet. There are holistic treatments, medications and daily exercises to reduce and manage the pain. Biologic medicines called Tumor-Necrosis-Factor blockers (TNF-blockers) can potentially slow down or stop the progression of AS. Some remedies may be disappointing and others surprising. Simple strategies like daily exercise and attention to posture make a world of difference. Continue to educate yourself about different treatments, side effects and activity in medical research.

Following their outline ... I have experienced each of these with a focus on right or midline (neck to neuroma/face to foot)

Oct 2014 Dr.Nami Rheumatologist
uspa, mctd, hla-b27 (w/preexisting Dercums/atd) autoimmune driven