Hey all- I'm new here. I was surfing about AS and saw this site. not sure if I have it... but I am having surgery on my back September 15.Its my first and hopefully my last. See- I have degenerative disc disease, herniated discs @ L4-L5 and L5-S1, athritis and spinal stenosis.I have not been able to walk without a limp for 5 months now and at times the pain was so bad I'd cry and pray for death. I'm not having a fusion and hope that its not needed ever. But since its arthritis, what are the chances of that?
My mother had OA, and I wonder if that is genetic, passed from generation on.
I'm scared about the surgery and not hopeful that I'll be better. I've done the steroid shots and physical therapy and i'm still not better.
Been out of work for months , and bills are piling up. Its terrifying.
Well-nice to meet you all and hope to post on some topics soon!
Hi lilchken
It sounds as though you have had a lot to put up with recently! I hope your surgery makes a big improvement in your quality of life. I have Reactive Arthritis/Reiter's Syndrome, which is in the same 'Spondyloarthropathy' family as AS.
By the way, most people here post on the 'Rheumatoid Arthritis' section (even if you don't have RA). So you'll get more responses posting a message there.
All the best,
I forgot to mention that I'm a 29 year old mother of Colin, 6 and Catriona, 3. I live in Waterbury,CT with my husband and rascals. Is it possible for you to get arthritis from a trauma? I've been involved in car accidents and had a cabinet (100 pounds) fall on my head and neck at work. Does arthritis get worse, or go elsewhere in your body?