The Diagnosis Is?

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Over the past 2 years The Hubs had every test known to man.  MRI, CT, Nuclear Scan, foot MRI, urine, poop, blood work, blood work, and more blood work.  He had varying symptoms for YEARS!  He experienced a funky eye condition, iritis, on and off over the years.  His first bout occurred before we were married--- 17 years ago.  Some days the back and neck pain is more than even he can manage.

He started having major foot pain sometime in the spring.  We figured it was simple plantar fasciitis which is common among teachers.  He bought super supportive shoes; I talked my 6'4 mountain man into Dansko clogs.  His physical therapist made custom insoles.  Nothing seemed to help so he made an appointment with a local foot specialist.  She ran more tests...  He had some weird bone abnormalities.  She sent him to a rheumatologist...

He spent the entire afternoon at said rheumatologist on Thursday.  Definitive diagnosis--- Ankylosing Spondylitis.  If you manage to spell one of those words in Scrabble or Words with Friends--- you win!

 I am scared and frustrated!  AS has been thrown around for years and each "specialist" threw it out for one reason or another.  The Hubs has suffered the acute pain of the condition and judgment and ineptitude of doctor after doctor.

Sometimes tears cleanse and sometimes they fuel the fire, consider mine fuel.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as.aspx