Ankylosing Spondylitis Support Group
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of arthritis--it is an inflammatory disease that causes joints, cartilage or other fibrous tissue (such as ligaments and tendons) to turn into bone. Ankylosing spondylitis is part of the group of rheumatic diseases. The disease is characterized by progressive stiffness, tenderness, and pain in joints. Pain can be episodic and...
My dr believes it is not inherited. But I read somewhere on the web that it is . Now on my mom side my mom and 2 of her sisters have symptoms 2 died of what I think now that I know of symptoms that could be related.to this disease. one is still alive and has been told like me for years she has fibro. I believe my grandfather their dad has back problems his whole life and has been on disability for it. My mom died at 44 yrs old when her heart valve was being replaced for leaking. Please any physicians out there with info on this subject please respond.
I was recently diagnosed with AS only because my Pain Mgmt Specialist is also a Spinal Diagnostics Specialist. At an appointment I was describing back and hip pain that led him to believe it might be AS.
He ordered labs on me and I tested positive for HLA-B27 (aka Human Leukocyte Antigen.) While AS isn not genetic, HLA-B27 IS and it is associated with over 100 inflammatory conditions and many rheumatic diseases.
I've read many websites on both HLA-B27 and AS, and I've learned more about it. According to emedicine.com, 80-90% of people with AS will test positive for HLA-B27.
IMPORTANT: The test for HLA-B27 is NOT a normal lab test that your doctor does.
Infact, most of my doctors (even specialists) have never even heard of it. It can show on a test as early as 7 or 8 years of age, and begin to cause problems as early as 15-17 years of age. I got lucky with my Pain Mgmt Doc due to his alternate specialty in Spinal Diagnostics.
It's important to know if you have HLA-B27 because it IS genetic and it can be the source of many other inflammatory problems - one being an inflammation of the eyes that, if not treated can cause permanent damage or blindness. I found that one out when I told my Optometrist during a routine eye exam. I didn't realize how big of a deal it was.
Now, I make sure ALL of my doctors and specialists know that I have HLA-B27 and AS. Many of them shake their head because they haven't heard of it. So I do my best to make sure it's in BIG print somewhere in my file.
One pesty complication is it can cause the healing process (following illness or trauma like surgery) to take longer than normal. It also can cause the need for more aggressive treatments. I'm not clear if it's the HLA-B27 or the AS causing these complications. I'm smack in the middle of both of these complications right now following a surgery I had in September that turned into 3, one being an emergency surgery for mass hemorrhaging.
Sorry so long, but I hope this explains some of the genetic factor to you.
My friend had AS for over 24 years, was a disabled, and none of his parents had it. By doctor's prognosis, he would be bedridden within 2 years ... he changed his destiny.
Four years ago, he ran into a nice lady (she suffered with pain for 26 years) who got well when started using some high-tech products from Japan. She advised him to try it, she had tried everything else and nothing can be compared to this.
He did and he hasn't needed to take painkillers for 3 1/2 years. He's normal now, can walk, can run, play with the kids, do all kind of project on his house.
He can turn his neck from side to side without difficulty, no longer suffer with pain, his neck and spine are not fused anymore, he can sleep very well. The best thing is his life is not depending on the painkillers, going to the dotors or try searching for something that hopefully can bring back his health anymore.
Hope you can find the right treatment that can help you soon