AS not showing on MRI
Hi there,
I was wondering if anyone has any advice? I was tested for AS 2 years ago and my HLAB27 gene test came back positive.
I had an MRI which was negative for Sacroilitis and AS and therefore rheumatology discharged me.
However since then I’ve gone on to have classic symptoms of AS such as night time back pain and stiffness which often wakes me from sleep, and I’ve now developed pain in other joints noticeably my jaw and I’ve
got terrible neck pain. My dentist seems to think there is some autoimmune involvement with my jaw and that it all links in with my back and neck pain.
Has anyone had any experience with their first MRI being negative for AS and then going on to have further ones which showed positive? Also anyone had jaw involvement?
I’m wondering if it’s worth going back to my GP to see if they will do further investigations cos I’m going out of my mind with pain and sometimes feel like I’m going mad but been labelled a hypochondriac by my GP.
Thanks for any advice. L x
Hi there,
I’ve been going through something similar and it’s so frustrating. I’m HLAb27 positive, have many AS symptoms and a parent who was diagnosed with it. I’ve had one mri which showed normal SI joints but some kind of bulging disc. The doc who did the mri wasn’t convinced I have AS but the other doctors I’ve seen do. I’ve been on a biologic for 2 months now and can’t really tell if it’s making a difference.
It is so frustrating to have doctors who disagree. I encourage you to follow the advice of your rheumatologist, by and large, they are the people who address rheumatic diseases.
But also give your biologic a chance. It can sometimes take 2-3 months for you to feel better. However, if you are questioning the treatment I suggest you meet with your rheumatologist as soon as possible.
best - Rick (moderator)
Hi thank you for your reply.
I feel no upset at all towards the Rheumatologist as they are incredible Dr’s.I agree with my friend Steve. AS is notoriously difficult to diagnose. In my case, it took several years and several visits to specialists and surgeons to help my Rheumatologist diagnose AS. In fact, all Rheumatic disease is difficult to diagnose so do not judge the Rheumatologist too harshly. 
Hi
,
I have had a similar experience with an unsuccessful first MRI Scan. After testing positive for HLA-B27 and having a lot of symptoms for AS, I was sent to get an MRI scan to fully confirm the diagnosis. Unfortunately at the first attempt the radiologist found some slipped discs and wrote the entire report around this without actually checking for anything AS related. Because of this I was sent back to have a second go and my rheumatologist made clearer instructions to only look for AS. Sure enough this time they were able to diagnose it as AS.
Maybe it would be worth checking if the report from the MRI explicitly dismissed you having AS or just did not confirm it? Either way it may be a good idea to go back to your doctor as clearly something is happening that needs addressing.
I hope you get the answers and treatment that you need soon!
Wishing you all the best,
James (Community Member)hi James. Thank you for this. This sounds very similar to what’s happened with my MRI, had one eight years ago when an injury was suspected which showed degeneration in the facet joints, then had a 2nd one two years ago which showed some bulging discs in my neck and lower back.
I’m just waiting for my Dentist to confirm they’ve sent the letter to my GP then I’m going to get in touch with them.
Many thanks,
Lindsey
