questions

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

I don't post often, but do read most posts. I am wondering if any

of you can help.

I have been having severe neck, collar bone and shoulder pain, so my

wrist surgeon sent me to the neck and spine ortho doctor who ordered

an MRI and the results came back that i have degenerative arthritis

in my neck, and collar bone, with degenerative disc desease that is

causing my discs to compress on my spinal cord and pinching a nerve

that is causing my arm and hand to go numb and tingly. I've also

had my left wrist examined recently with x-rays and they indicate

arthretic changes, but my orho doc didn't suggest that it might be

my ra. My right wrist had to be fused because of arthritis.

I am so confused.

I asked the doctor if she thought that it was my RA or AS? She told

me there was no evidence of AS what so ever, nor did she believe

that my arthritis is RA.

My rheumy diagnosed me with AS because of my lack of joint

swelling. Now, I'm wondering if I have RA, AS or any other auto

immune joint disease. Maybe what i have is your basic garden

variety osteoarthritis and will have to try to manage it on my own.

What scares me is that I'm taking Methotrexate and Enbrel. I don't

want to poison my body needlessly, but also want to get the maximum

benefit from the meds if I really do have these autoimmune joint

diseases.

At this point, I just don't know what to do.

I've described my lab tests in a previous post many months ago, and

have had a 2nd opinion which was a waste of time. So, now what?

This doctor comes highly recommended. So much so, that when you

have an appointment, it's not uncommon to wait 2 hours to see her

because she is so thorough with each patient.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Les