u/ChemicalDisastrous93

TLDR- what differential diagnoses can I advocate for exploring if not AS?

Hi all - I have my follow up appointment with my rheumatologist who believes I have AS next week. I just got notification that my X-rays were totally clear. This really surprised me as my pain has been escalating significantly since I birthed my twins two years ago. There wasn’t even anything on my feet, which is insane because two other doctors were convinced I had a stress fracture due to pain and swelling of my heel. No fracture, no evidence of damage, nothing.

So my question is - does anybody have insight on differential diagnoses I can advocate for exploring if the rheumatologist does not ultimately believe I have AS based on testing? I am tired of being in pain and I am tired of having to take NSAIDs around the clock just to function. I am already planning on asking about hEDS as I feel I meet the criteria. I also already have a confirmed diagnosis of Endo. I have done ALLL the PT over the years, muscle relaxers do not help my pain. I don’t want this to be a total dead end!

Three weeks ago my mom went to the hospital after worsening migraines and indicates suspected gbm on an mri. Drs indicated it was not operable (butterfly lesion, with corpus callusom involvement, 5x6 cm) and scheduled a biopsy. We are now almost two weeks out from her biopsy (which confirmed gbm) and my mom just told me they won’t start radiation and chemo for another two weeks.

Maybe I’m confused or maybe she is confused but she, nor her husband, has said anything to me about this being terminal and they seem very “🤷🏻‍♀️” about it. She told me this weekend “oh I’ll just do the treatment and it will be fine. Medicine has come a long way it’s not a death sentence”.

So my questions are: does anybody have experience with drs NOT rushing for treatment and what that might mean, and also would it be common for drs to NOT be clear about potential timeline or prognosis at this stage/until all pathology comes back from the biopsy? Is my mom and her husband just in serious denial? They have not let us (siblings) come to any appointments.

Hi all! I know summer is a busy season for photographers but I’m wondering if anybody knows of a family photographer in the area that has an opening to photograph my mom and my siblings and grandkids. She was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and I would love to get one last family photo.