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Question about my MRI/xray results

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/19/2008 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I wrote this in the fibro section and thought I'd post it here too to get info from this board.

In Feb I was in bad shape again and went to a rheumy (one that I went to before and didn't really like- but the other one is too far for me to drive, he seemed much better this time.) Well he had me do some tests and now I just got copies from the radiology dept and am confused. So far in the past two years I've been told (by the radiologist and other drs) that I have minor spina bifida, OA in my lumbar spine and now the last tests are showing mild lateral scoliosis, narrowing of the left SI joint, bilateral erosion and sclerosis bilaterally. No cysts or lesions in the area though. I'm waiting to talk to the dr about my blood tests because the lab won't give them to me. I got copies from radiology to give to my pain Dr.

Well I now can see why my lower back hurts all the time!!

I'm trying to get into the rhuemy early since I don't see him for another 3 weeks. I'll have to wait to see what he says.

he was testing for sacroiliitis (sp) and testing the blood for I believe the same. I go to the pain dr on friday but I don't think he'll want to tell me what this means since another dr ordered it. But I'm very good at communicating between my drs since they only seem to talk to the GP not each other.

Any idea what these results mean. I know you're not drs and I would not take anything you say to heart. But I just need to know what exactly they're looking for, AS maybe, and if anyone else with AS has these MRI results. Could they just mean "plain old arthritis" or nothing at all? Could it just be pain from the fibro and the results mean nothing? I just want non-professional advice from peers instead of all these drs.

Posted 3/20/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sacroiliitis is one of the diagnostic signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Did the MRI mention inflammation in the SI joint? SI joints can get osteoarthritis. It is possible to have OA in the SI joint and sacroiliitis. I think you are going to have to wait for the rheumy to explain all of this because some of your lab results will likely influence the diagnosis. Do you know if they drew blood to test HLA-B27? The majority of people with AS are HLA-B27 positive though one can have it without having the gene. Let us know what they decide.
Posted 3/20/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
They tested for HLA-B27 and CLA (I think that was the letters?) He also had me bend at the waist and pressed on my sternum which even an hour later when I brought him the copies of the xrays (he wanted to see them immediatly) really hurt bad. I was rubbing it without even knowing I was and he asked if it still hurt, and I said yes quite badly.

The report didn't say there was any inflammation in the SI joint. This is why I'm confused, I thought that was what he was looking for. If there is no inflammation that means it's probably nothing right?

I guess I'll know a tiny bit more tomorrow, then I finally got an earlier appt with the rheumy, so I don't have to worry for three more weeks! I see him next week.
Posted 3/31/2008 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

The rheumy said I have sacroliitis and spondylitis. He is not 100% sure about it being ankylosing spondylities because my sed rate is low. He said I don't have the gene marker but that doesn't concern him. He said that women tend to have the marker less then men and they also tend to have less inflammation. ??

I get my TB test today and as long as all is well he is starting me on Enbrel on Wednesday. Now I'm nervous. I tend to get nasty colds. I just have to be very careful now. He said that if I feel better with this it's 100% AS. I asked if it doesn't work does that mean I don't have it. He said no. It just means the medicaiton may not work for me. While I'm happy he's being aggressive, I'm nervous too. I assume that since there isn't much inflammation that is why he's starting with this med instead of trying something like celebrex first.

He also said that it may "get better" he's hoping that by being aggressive it may put it into a slight remission and I'll feel good without having to keep taking the enbrel. He said I may need to go back on it again, but I may get relief for a bit. Not sure about this?

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