Hello I am 56 years old, female and in a great deal of pain.
I feel sure that I have AS. My father was a severe sufferer, my Brother and Son have both been diagnosed with AS. My sister, 4 years younger than I, has battled with the rheumatologist as she also feels that she has AS - but as she did not have indications of inflammation when examined she has not been diagnosed with anything and discharge from the rheumatologists care.
I am seeing the same rheumatologist but on the first examination she stated that it was unlikely that I have AS as I do not lower back pain, however she has arranged further blood tests.
I have pain radiating from around the neck, elbows are very painful, pain in both thighs and I have incredible night sweats.
I have had neck pain for at least 30 years, I was told it was natural wear and tear, but it has always been bearable until a few months ago when the rest of my body seemed to join in. Stiffness in the morning and pain to make me cry.
My local GP gave me a hefty dose of steroids which worked for 1 day and then the pain came back but the stiffness did not.
I have the gene marker HLA-B27.
Inflammatory marker 37 although now reduced to 7 with the steroids.
Xray showed some skeletal changes to the left sacroiliac joint.
Does this sound similar to any one out there?
AS in the USA also not cure?
Hi