A question for those of you who have fused. Was there anything to alert you that you were fusing? If so, what? Not that I want to spend my days worrying about this, but this area is a mystery to me. With my treatments bombing out, it's a concern.
Asked by Chapps fusion
Had thoracic and lumbar MRI and they saw no fusion. I am being recommended to see a neurologist. I feel like nobody believes the severe pain I am in because there is no sign of fusion. Anyone else diagnosed with AS but your MRIs come back normal? I had x-rays and nuclear bone scan which showed inflammation, but rheumy says no biologic meds until fusion starts. How do I get them to believe the pain is severe even though there is no fusion?!
Asked by Brittney Brown fusion mri spine mri si joints
How many of you have had full or partial fusing/ossification? How old were you when you fused? What did it feel like - could you tell you were fusing, or did you not realize it until you had a scan?
Asked by Kathryn fusion
Has anyone every tried using a SI joint support? I had tried a "belt" type support before but found the pressure on my back, pelvis and SI joints to be too much, lately i've started looking at them again because I really would just like some relief. There is one made by BREG that looks very interesting, I always had great luck with their knee braces when I was younger. I am just not sure because i've heard mixed things about bracing a back that may already be trying to fuse! Anyone?
Asked by Lindsay Cairns si joints fusion back brace
What does it feel like, and how do you know if your bones are starting to fuse?
Asked by Kelly pain fusion
A good friend has had a lower back surgery and 3 neck fusions in the last 7 years. She is now 47 and her Dr. Is telling her that she has to have a lumbar fusion. I don't buy it and saw this site, following a dear friends lead....L has chronic pain, and is seeing a pain management Dr., but I now believe that she may be suffering from this problem. Calcium was fine, but that does not indicate uptake levels I realize...if her vertebra are breaking down, what can she do?
Asked by Sue Sturges fusion
www.the-rheumatologist.org/details/article/868011/No_Clear_C Interesting read. Discussion?
Asked by Rhonda Trimble pain management fusion anti-tnf
Great blog entry by a woman bent low by AS: www.blogher.com/rough-hewn-kind-beauty?wrap=blogher-topics/h Good read for women and men. Identify?
Asked by Chapps ankylosing spondylitis emotions fusion
I have been given the diagnosis that every ASer dreads...Ribcage fusion. I have lost 75% of my ribcage expansion and was told there is nothing that can be done. I was diagnosed with the severe form of AS that progresses very fast even with TNF's. Do any of you have any ideas or have you found anything that helps? I do the ribcage breathing excersizes and the heat, cold, heat packs. I see my rheumy tomorrow and I'm really scared at the outcome of the appt. Help Please!
Asked by Jennifer as fusion ribs fusion breathing
Does anyone use chair pads, like Obus Forme etc? To give extra support, and or cushioning. I think if I had one i'd sit better, I hav ehorribly lazy posture which i'm trying to correct... Like my Doctor says, if you're going to fuse, fuse in a good position. Anyway just wondered what you all do? Anyone use a special seat pad or cover in your vehicle? I was thinking about a heated chair pad for my van... Sitting while driving is one of the hardest things.
Asked by Lindsay Cairns posture sitting fusion
