is this AS | Arthritis Information

I have been having odd symptoms since last February with no diagnosis. I am a 26 yr old female.

Symptoms

Mouth ulcers-changed tooth paste went away for several months-have had 1 ulcer since
sciatica-mostly right leg, occasionally left leg
hip and pelvis pain
mid back pain with twisting
exercise feels good at time but then worsens after activity
numbness in legs
muscle spasms in back and shoulder
shoulder and neck pain

I have been checked for tumors, fractures, disc bulges, MS, blood work for signs of arthritis (none),nerve studies look good, I have degeneration in discs T11 and T12 with minimal bulging.

Any ideas people would be great.

[QUOTE=riley] I have been having odd symptoms since last February with no diagnosis. I am a 26 yr old female.

Symptoms

Mouth ulcers-changed tooth paste went away for several months-have had 1 ulcer since
sciatica-mostly right leg, occasionally left leg
hip and pelvis pain
mid back pain with twisting
exercise feels good at time but then worsens after activity
numbness in legs
muscle spasms in back and shoulder
shoulder and neck pain

I have been checked for tumors, fractures, disc bulges, MS, blood work for signs of arthritis (none),nerve studies look good, I have degeneration in discs T11 and T12 with minimal bulging.

Any ideas people would be great.

[/QUOTE]

I'm hoping someone answers this soon. I have the same symptoms highlighted above. I also had a normal MRI with minor bulging at T10-11. In addition to those symptoms, I also have a lot of pain if I've been standing very long. I also feel stiff in the mornings. I've been wondering lately if it might be AS.

a lot of those symptoms do seem like mine. has your doc done the blood test for the genetic marker HLA-B27? That's one way to help in the diagnosis. Also, women present differently than men do. So when you google this disease and read all the definitions, most of them are of textbook male symptoms. I had to dig deep, but women have different symptoms at first. I've had junk going on for the past 8 years and my back pain (supposedly the hallmark sign) didn't start until last week. Women are different. It's important to get your diagnosis as quick as possible so they can treat you and get you feeling better. It's supposedly a very "livable" disease if you get proper treatment. I am newly diagnosed, so treatment begins next week for me. (enbrel, methotrexate). Doc gave me a 120 mg shot of steroid to get me by until the treatment begins. Wow, did that make me feel so much better. It's starting to wear off now though. Dang it.

good luck!!

-Donette

Donette~

curious to know what your symptoms were? I have had headaches my entire life and elbow/wrist/hand pain for years. My back and neck have been tight for a while so I finally went to the DR. All tests run came back normal with the exception of the HLA-B27. Xrays of hands, pelvis, and SI joints also came back normal. I am frustrated, in pain and just darn tired, DR has been out of the office... I am at a loss!

Tessica