Ankylosing spondylitis

[Sunflowermoon]

Hello I've been having an issue with a burning pain in my ankle and had a podiatry referral. It was suggested it is my back that is the issue not my feet.
My back does play up on one side and I have hip joint pain and the burning sensation when walking. I asked the doctor for the AS test as my dad and brother both have the condition but I don't actually know much about it.

Would the blood test alone show the condition? I had a blood test last year ab nuclear I think its called and my level was 1.4 and doctor wasn't concerned.
I also have an underactive thyroid suffer with alot of fatigue joint pain etc if it isn't this I don't know what to look for I just know I've not been right since my final baby 19 months ago.

Thanks

They look for hla-b27. It’s presence doesn’t mean you have it, it just strengthens suspicions.

Check out this website. www.stopas.co.uk/ankylosing-spondylitis-my-story

Thank you

Also try nass.co.uk for information, it is the main UK AS charity.

Hi alpinesue I've been looking on nass and actually rang them for advice on how I go about getting tested. My doctor didn't even question it. It's daft I never thought to be screened before I stupidly thought it was mainly a issue men have. All the men in my dads line have it no one has ever mentioned any women.

Ank Spond is in theory I think ‘supposed’ to alternate between men & women as it goes through the generations. In my case, my paternal grandmother had it, my father had it, I have it so my son may have it, his biological daughter may have it….

It’s well known that generally women take longer to diagnose and in fact, NASS are currently targeting MP’s at the moment to raise awareness of symptoms to GPs because of this very issue.

It took (from memory) 14-16 years for a final confirmation of diagnosis of my AS & as it’s degenerative, in that time my health deteriorated.

If you feel you need more assistance, ask to speak to a rheumatologist, preferably with AS experience.

Hello thank you for reply. I tried last year to see a rheumatologist but they refused to see me as my inflammation markers weren't high enough and 1.4 My recent blood test shows no inflammation at all but I haven't yet had the further results.

Belterdelta what we're symptoms if you don't mind me asking?
In my dad's family so far it's only been men diagnosed. My brother has it my uncle had it and also my dads dad. I don't know what it will be for me if it's negative. Thanks for message

My initial symptom was neck stiffness and unfortunately for me the GP sent me to a rheumatologist who through lack of awareness did the absolute worse thing possible and sent me for my neck to be put into traction. When bones are fusing together, clearly pulling them apart is dangerous.

As time progressed over a decade I had Plantar Fasciitis, I was diagnosed with hypermobility and uveitis and with persistent constant lower spine and hip pain with trouble putting shoes on, bending down to pick things up and taking forever to get out of bed in the morning, finally it all tallied up thanks to a fantastic GP and rheumatologist.

It used to be that the NHS would wait until people turned 40 due to the cost of testing hence NASS pushing now for it to be earlier, which is why I degenerated so much. If I’d have had an earlier diagnosis I could have been given the appropriate physio and medication sooner but now it’s backfired on the NHS because the weekly biologic injection costs £600 a week.

There have been so many threads on here about how GP’s don’t take this seriously. My advice is to ask around to find one who is aware of the symptoms. If you can speak to NASS they may be able to give you some condition ls with similar symptoms if it proves to not be AS?

Here’s my point. Just logged into FB to see this.

Wow your back and foot issues sound similar to mine I turn 40 In February so not far off anyways. I find bending over difficult and like something locks in my back and is incredibly painful. I'm stiff and struggled to get out of bed and have incredible front foot pain on standing. I also have a burning pain in my ankle when I walk for a period of time it does wear of on resting but soon returns.

My foot is so bad at times I actually went to hospital last week for an xray! I've not felt 100% well since having children ot feels like one thing after another has gone wrong after each of them 😕

I understand this post is old and you may not see it, I am going to have a HLA-B27 test along with a whole raft of blood tests, but the more I read, the more I see my symptoms.

A very interesting read - I just wanted to say thank you to the poster for posting up the link.