pain in the? HIP????

Hi  It's been a really long time since I posted, but I read posts ALL the time.  I never feel as if I have anything "new or wothwhile" to say.  Not feeling sorry for myself (well maybe) but for me it's just "same ol' same ol'". However, for several months, my left hip has been bothering me on and off.  I saw a ortho doc about a year ago and he saw only inflammation in the hip/pelvis area but no signs of Avascular Neucrosis.  He in turn sent me to a spine clinic.  The doc there said I had a bulging disc that could be causing the hip pain and a bone density scan showed I had Osteoporosis in that hip and in the lower spine.  NOW I am having the hip pain and lower back pain. 

 Could this be the AS I have been reading that many Crohn's patients have? 

Should I see the ortho doc, GI doc, or who?

This pain is waking me up at night now, becoming very uncomfortable.  My GI symptoms are pretty much under control at present, so does that mean it couldn't be AS?  If it is AS should the Remicaide not help with the symptoms? 

Sorry for all the questions.  I jsut get so much valuable info from you all it's incrediable.  Plus, getting info from those that actually HAVE the problem is a lot different than hearing it from someone that doesn't know first hand.

Many thanks....

Irish

First off, I must say that I love your name.   AS is something that I'm very familiar with. Both my husband and son have it. My husband was diagnosed at 22 and is pretty much fused, although he still works. He has found ways to get around his diability. Our son was also recently diagnosed with it and he's 21. I do know that it's a lot more common in men and that it typically occurs between 20 and 40 years of age. Both my husband and son are HLA B27 positive, and both were diagnosed with MRI's.

My son and husband both described it has hip/butt pain that would shoot down the legs. Back when hubby was diagnosed, they didn't have the drugs they do now, so his spine is fused about halfway up. He has also lost both thumbs, six fingers, and both great toes to fusing. He's now having problems with his shoulder.

I would think that Remicade would be helping you if it is AS. My son was just started on Humira for it, but he's also taking Pred again to get things calmed down quicker.