Hi everyone!
I’m a 32 years old woman who is trying to put a name on the pain that I’m living with and I feel that many of my symptoms might lead to AS.
Pain started slowly 10 years ago in my lower back, diffusing to my left leg and foot but it was not constant; same with my neck, left shoulder, chest, left scapula, left arm and thumb. It was not intense nor constant In the beginning.
As the years passed, the symptoms began to be more and more present and after my two pregnancies, it became worst and chronic. There’s no time where I’m not in pain and there are days where I get very painful flares and I when I have trouble concentrating, holding my phone or driving for example.
Every morning, I wake up with stiffness in my back and I need to get a good rub and stretch and massage my back before getting out of the bed. Also, my ribs are hurting when I press on them.
My doctor did not seem to take my condition seriously for years and then gave me a reference to see a physiatrist. The latter did a cervical and lumbar mri that showed small degeneration in some articulations and small hernias in the lower back and he did not give me a proper diagnosis. Now I’m seeing another doctor that says that my pain is more sacroiliac related and cervical+From a few thoracic vertebrae. I’m happy because the last one believes me when I explain my symptoms but I’m still a little frustrated because I don’t have a name for all that (to be able to have answers, exchange with a community, explain what you have to your family, colleagues and friends who don’t understand that invisible pain and think that you are feeling good only because you are smiling).
Do you feel familiar with my symptoms? How did AS show up in your life and how did you get a diagnosis? Should I ask any questions to my doctor?
Thank you very much and I hope that you all find ways to ease your pain <3