RogueViator

Yes I am aware not to take this as gospel. I've been around medicine and physicians my entire life to know the drill.

I've had this condition for over a decade now. I've consulted Rheumatologists, Neurologists, Physiatrists, Spine Specialists, Neurosurgeons, Physical Therapists, Registered Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, etc. I've been poked, prodded, irradiated, scanned, etc. The Neurosurgeon can do a spinal fusion but it won't get rid of the pain (their words). The Pain Specialist wants me to walk like I'm in a military parade crossed with a dance recital complete with swinging arms. Oh well, back I go.

Is there a way to definitively confirm Ankylosing Spondylitis or any other Autoimmune Disorder? Any potential DDX?

I have had tests done for HLA-B27 (negative) and a bunch of other labs all coming back within acceptable limits. The reason for the labs is because I have a very bad spine since I was in my early 30s. For reference, an MRI done on my spine came back with:

"Severe degenerative changes in the cervical spine with multifocal moderate spinal canal and neural foraminal stenosis most prominent at C3-C6.

Overall moderate degenerative changes in the thoracic spine with mild flattening of the anterior cord at T7-T8 without cord signal change.

Diffuse calcification of posterior longitudinal ligament throughout the thoracic spine with multilevel spinal canal and neural foraminal stenosis at the midthoracic spine. Correlation with prior CT chest is suggestive of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hypertrophy with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Lumbar:

Extensive multilevel degenerative changes, multilevel disc herniation/sequestration and associated foraminal/lateral recess/canal stenosis."

 

My family doctor and pain specialist do not know what is causing this. Right now I walk bent over and cannot walk without pain in my back. Also, I cannot lie down for more than a minute without my right lower back near the hip becomes excruciatingly painful.

To date we have ruled out Cancer, Lupus, and the most recent tests were for Ankylosing Spondylitis which appear to be ruled out.