u/mrbrocc

I recently got full blood test after speaking to my GP about my ongoing lower back pain.

I said I suspect AS and she ordered a few blood tests for me.

It was a range of autoimmune detectors, crp, inflammatory markers and HLA-b27.

The HLA-b27 came back negative and all the other tests came back normal.

She said that from these results she doesn't think I have AS.

I did go to a rheumatologist in 2024 and he got me to get an x-ray of my si joints (plus other blood tests) - he said at that point that it doesn't look like I have AS but to keep monitoring it as it can develop over time.

I have most symptoms that correlates to AS on paper, but so far all tests have not shown that to be the case.

Anyone else in similar situation before they got diagnosed later on?

Hello everyone!

I live in Sydney and recently moved to Zetland which is really close to the city.

I had never cycled in the city before but seeing how close it is I would like to try commuting to work.

I don't think I would riding for anything but commuting and was thinking of just getting a simple secondhand bike, what would be the recommended approach here?

Secondly, I would like to ask if I can trust the route given on google maps? Or is there a different app that can provide me with a better cycling friendly route?

As a new rider, I think I'd like to avoid the big road as much as I can

Thank you so much.

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Hi all,

I am just curious after recently reading more about AS and wondering if I might be in the same boat as everyone here.

I have been experiencing chronic low back pain in the past 3 years or so that I haven't gotten an answer for.

I've seen physios, doctors, spine specialist, massage therapist, etc and have only been able to receive generic answer such as "weak core, spinal instability, posture, etc etc with no clear direction".

The pain is not as bad as it was but it still disrupting my daily life.

My key symptoms are as below and wondering if you've had similar experiences:

- The pain started out of nowhere when I was in my late 20s

- The pain mostly comes in the form of dull aches that are non-stop and persistent.

- The pain moves around, mostly on the left (it feels like the left ql is really tight) but can also be on the right and sometimes right in the middle where the si joints meet the spine.

- feels stiff in the morning, waking up. Where sometimes there's sharp pain as well when moving/bending down.

- sitting for awhile/standing for awhile would increase the pain

- I can move well tbh, the pain doesn't stop or arises from movements.

- There had been moments where the pain sort of went away for awhile last year (about a month at a time) before it returns again. At the time I thought I finally broke through and made actual progress.

- I definitely have fatigue and brain fog from the pain.

- I don't have eye inflammation or swollen joints

I did go to a rheumatologist in 2024 who did x-ray on my si joints and also check the HLA-B27.

He said that I don't have AS at the time but it is a possibility should further testing proven otherwise.

I was prescribed with Celebrex at the time and it did not do anything for me.

I am curious to see if it would be worth it to see another rheumatologist for a re-testing now about 1.5 yrs later.

Cheers!