I have MS, and problems with my Spine. A ‘progessive kyphoscoliosis’ is what my Neurologist called it when he recommended I see a Rheumatologist, suggesting I might also have Ankylosing Spondylitis. So I’m seeing a Rheumatologist soon, because ‘you can’t always assume it’s MS’, says the Neuro.
‘Fair enough’, I thought, and everyone knows how Dr.Google can be a hiding to nowhere, but it seems lately that wherever I look I find reputable journal after journal clearly identifying spondyloarthropies as common co-morbidities. Anyone here experiencing a progressively bending spine like myself? I cant find much about it on many ms sites and If you’re out there I just wondered what treatment you were given??
Hello and welcome. I have SPMS and I to have Ankylosing Spondylytis and I have had it for years. My spine has slowly over the years gradually bent over. I was told to exercise every day to keep it straight, which I did. There wasn’t any magic pill, just exercise. Since being diagnosed with MS I can no longer exercise my back hence my back is now a large bump. It also can affect your neck. They are both connected because of our immune system. It can be very painful. I hope I have helped with best wishes JaneT x
Jane(t): Wow, Someone else! Thank you so much for your reply. Which were you diagnosed with first? Have you ever been told it had nothing to do with MS? Did the exercise involve stretching against a wall with a pillow, by any chance? (Physio gave me a diagram that just stumps me: can’t do it!) Have you had sacro-ilitis? (it can put me in bed for days at a time). Do you sleep upright? (me: since my twenties) Do you get lower back pain (it stops me walking too far and is the primary impediment to my mobility at the mo). Can you reach the top shelf in your kitchen? (me: havent seen them since 07/08. Or their contents!). Were you diagnosed quickly? What is a Rheumatology appointment like? I’m a bit anxious about it, and its soon. I’ve always thought (probably in my ignorance) that the Rheumatologist is kind of like the ‘lifestyle doctor’: ‘How much do you drink?’ / ‘Do you smoke?’ etc questions at appt?) and last but not least,
‘Will I have to stand there in my underpants!??’
Many apologies for my rather desperate nosiness and thank you once more.
Hi, I was diagnosed before I knew I had MS but thanks to my rheumatologist referring me to a neurologist I then found out I had MS. The Rheuro’ was very good. You will have to give a blood and urine sample. They will examine you but you do not have to undress. They will look at your legs, hands and your spine and your neck. Don’t worry they are only human, if you are worried imagine them sitting on the loo!!! I had to stand against a wall with the heels of your shoes against the wall and looking down to see your feet. I nearly forgot he the Rheumy did put me onto Methotrexate which I inject myself, but you can take it orally but it upset my stomach to much. No I have never had sacro-lilt is. When do you see them? Janet x No I have never had
