Sacroilitis ?? please read

Is this a dx that can only be made by x ray or can an xray be normal and you still have Sacrolitis.  I have terrible hip pain and lower back pain.  My GI did an xray but said it's normal.  I have been on steroids ALOT over the past 3 years.  The hip pain wakes me up at night and sitting to long in one spot is killer.  Lower back pain is not near as bad but aggrivating.  Just interested in how you were dx.

hanks so much for responding Ginny. Yes, I was on the steroids for the Crohn's/ I have an app with the Rheumotologist in Sept. I have had a steroid injection into the hip and it did help however my PCP did that. I see him next week so I'll ask if he will give me another injection.
Again, many thanks..

Sorry to butt in here but I seen the title of the post so I thought I would share I too have Sacroiilitis but I wasn't a clear cut case. I had both xrays and MRI's both of which came out normal. But whenever the doc would press on my SI joint, it would send me thru the roof. I had 2 steroid injections into my SI joint and Ides is right. They use an xray guided machine to get into the SI joint. It isn't a pleasant procedure but it does help.

You mentioned that you have been on steroids from your CD. Have you ever had a bone scan done? If not, then I recommend you get one. Long term steroid use has the potential of causing bone necrosis.

My sacroiliitis was quite apparent in xrays -- due to its advanced stage. The same xrays taken 10 years earlier showed nothing remarkable. That was how my rheumy finally dialed in my AS diagnosis (amongst other things). My SI joints look horrid...still. I wish you luck in finding relief.

I have severe arthritis of my spine - all levels. My tail bone broke when I gave
birth 35 years ago. Now it's causing all sorts of problems the worst being itching.
My entire spine itches. My shoulders itches. My tail itches. Arghhh.
I suppose the itching could be an allergy. Any ideas?
Pamela Spinepain

I am not dx with that but i know when the joint is manipulated its very painful, i woonder if could some cause in additon to ddd and severe arthritis in the facet joints, i have fallen on my my tail bone many more times then i can remember, xrays of my hips show bursits. have a feeeling i have it in my shoulders too.the bursitis that is.

Hello,
Just registered. I am looking for some answers. My problem started over 4 years ago in June with bronchitis and was given antibiotics and sent on my way. The bronchitis would not go away and after many different courses of antibiotics my digestive system went haywire. I had all the usual tests which all came back normal. Then in Sept of the same year a ultrasound showed a thickened gallbladder, which was removed. In Nov. of the same year I had a incomplete small bowel blockage which resolved on its own with hospitalization for three days. Had more tests which came back normal after which the Gastro said I have IBS. Since then I have lived with the abdominal pain and intestinal problems. Now I have developed a vitamin B12 deficiency, x-rays and a CT showing mild degenerative change in the facets at L5-S1 and L4-5 and Sacroiliitis in one joint. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I am just looking for answers or a new direction to look for answers.

I am grateful for any help or advice and do not mind any questions. I have had 3 colonoscopies from 3 different GI's, 1 with biopsies . 2 upper scopes all from different GI's. All results were the same "everything is fine". The diagnosis was IBS and to live with it. I have told each doctor about the pain in my back each time I had an appointment without any hint of a relationship between the intestinal and back pain by a doctor. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist later this month.