Hi Every-one

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My name is Taryn - I live in Knysna, South Africa. I myself do not suffer

from PA, but my boyfriend Wade was diagnosed with it 2 years ago after

seeing many doctors for severe back pain. He ended up at an orthopod, who

took x-rays of his back (already his cocsyx (can't spell) had broken off) -

I noticed that a lot of the messages on the web page mentioned first

noticing it in their fingers and knees, could him starting with his back be

an indication of how progressed it is, or is there no indication?

I am so glad to have found this site, and this group, as I would really like

to do all I can to help him - he has been getting very depressed, and has

said that he would rather be dead than live with the pain (which scares me).

He has a 2 year old little boy - who has Down's Syndrome, so we both need to

be there for him for a long time!

I look forward to chatting with you, and to introducing Wade to you too! I

am desperate to get as much information on this condition as possible.

Taryn

Property Sales Consultant

Pam Golding - Simola Golf & Country Estate

Office: +27 (0) 44 382 4116/9

Fax: +27 (0) 44 382 4117

Mobile: +27 (0) 82 394 4910

E-Mail: taryn@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/30/05 12:35:44 PM GMT Daylight Time,

taryn@... writes:

My name is Taryn - I live in Knysna, South Africa. I myself do not suffer

from PA, but my boyfriend Wade was diagnosed with it 2 years ago after

seeing many doctors for severe back pain. He ended up at an orthopod, who

took x-rays of his back (already his cocsyx (can't spell) had broken off) -

I noticed that a lot of the messages on the web page mentioned first

noticing it in their fingers and knees, could him starting with his back be

an indication of how progressed it is, or is there no indication?

Hi Taryn,

Welcome to the group. I'm sorry that Wade's condition had to bring you here.

I'm no expert on this really but although for most of us it will probably

have started in the smaller joints or whatever. (With me it was my left heel) I

don't think it would be unheard of for people to first notice the problems

in their back before anywhere else.

The main thing for him now would be to make sure he is getting the best

treatment he can from here on in. That would mean seeing a Rheumatologist and

hopefully he would start the ball rolling with regard to the correct approach

in

trying to deal with this.

Also, if you can, you could get him to join the group too. Its amazing how

many people join when they seem to be at their wits end and within a short

period of time will feel better just for having talked to people going or having

gone through the same thing and can hopefully give advice or at least

sympathy and support.

He has already made one good move by having you as his girlfriend as you

have shown by trying to so hard to help him.

This is a great group and you should get lots of other better replies. There

are a lot of caring and knowledgeable people here.

Good luck to you both.

[Guest guest]

Hi Taryn,

I'm not sure if this is helpful or not, but my PA began in my left

rib, where it joins my sternum. The docs were all quite fascinated

because with it because it is rare, but apparantly it's not unheard

of. Originally, I had the same questions about it usually starting in

the smaller joints.

- Haleila

>In a message dated 5/30/05 12:35:44 PM GMT Daylight Time,

>taryn@... writes:

>

>My name is Taryn - I live in Knysna, South Africa. I myself do not suffer

>from PA, but my boyfriend Wade was diagnosed with it 2 years ago after

>seeing many doctors for severe back pain. He ended up at an orthopod, who

>took x-rays of his back (already his cocsyx (can't spell) had broken off) -

>I noticed that a lot of the messages on the web page mentioned first

>noticing it in their fingers and knees, could him starting with his back be

>an indication of how progressed it is, or is there no indication?

>