Ankylosing Spondylitis

[J.C.]

I'm going out on a limb here in the hope of touching base with those who suffer or parents who have children who suffer or carry the gene for Ankylosing Spondylitis.
What to expect?

[BENT_8]

Hla B27?

[J.C.]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Hla B27?

That is correct. That is the gene. Are you aware or familiar with it?

[BENT_8]

Yep, diagnosed 4 years ago.

We have a strong family history with many symptoms, diabetes, lupus, rhumatoid arthritis and eye deseases.

Personally i suffer from bad shoulders, S.I. joints(hip area) severe mid and lower back problems(rhumatism).
I am prone to clotting and suffered from a Pulmonary Embolis post knee surgery.(Lupus)
I cannot handle bright light and suffer severe headaches as a result.(photophobia)

It is a reactive arthritis which flares up as a result of infections etc.

I was referred to a specialist after blood tests showed an elevated rhumatoid factor, combined with my history of clotting etc. he made further investigations and diagnosed me.
There was a study done between some UK specialists and some aussie guys which drew the link between the different illnesses.
I've had some doctors call it B.S. and others are sceptical.

I was offered a pension by the doctor 4 yrs ago but declined as i felt there was no way i was giving in at 30.
I regret this decision now as the prognosis i was given has come true and my condition has worsened.
I am booked in to see a specialist in 2 weeks, to be honest i dont care for the pension really, i'd give anything to be free of the aches.

I get really frustrated as normally when your tired or unwell you can have a lie down, my pain is at its worst when im laying in any position and wakes me every night after 3 or 4 hours sleep.

It sucks, but i have a mate who is on his second kidney transplant, has suffered cancer in his lymph nodes and went blind after cataract laser surgery went wrong... theres always someone worse off.

[Dr Jekkyl]

I do not have it nor do I intimately know anybody with AS but I have some experience with it and its molecular basis.

HLA-B27 is a gene variant associated with AS, but not causative. 90% of caucasian people with AS have it, but only 10% of those with HLA-B27 will get AS.

AS is considered an autoimmune disease (i.e. where the person's immune system starts attacking their body) which manifests as chronic inflammation. Treatments are thus centered around reducing the inflammation, and there are many available. Prognosis is variable but when treated adequately and exercise levels maintained its course is generally mild.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Dr Jekkyl

Prognosis is variable but when treated adequately and exercise levels maintained its course is generally mild.

This is good advice.
I was prescribed an anti inflamatory and took pain killers for a while, but eventually the pain in my stomach from the pills became worse than the aches from the illness.
6 montths ago i joined a gym and began water aerobics which has helped no end.
I was always really active and owned my own gardening franchise until it cut me down on 05.
I put on 20kg which didnt help, but im slowly losing it now and its helping.

[Spanrz]

Did anyone post a Positive ANA?