How long did you experience symptoms before being diagnosed?

11 years. My new rheumatologist, who took over for my old one, who was great. He moved and they hired her & she tries to tell me she thinks it could be fibromyalgia or pain from Tarlov cysts but I just laugh because the only meds that have helped are DMARDS, bio's & Jak's. I'd switch Dr's but we only have a few in my area so I'm stuck with her at least for now. Not all doctors are worth the air they breathe!

Years.

I was sent home with antidepressants medication. It’s wasn’t until my eye swelled up into my head that the extreme inflammation was detected. My AS is something most women don’t experience. AS was ruled out even though my uncles were born with it. Women who have been diagnosed with AS fine that it’s very severe.

I had back pain starting in my 30s but always attributed it to my job as a nurse. One day in my 40s I woke up with both hands swollen and fingers so painful. While I feared RA, two rheumatologist tried to put me in a convenient box of fibromyalgia or “just” arthritis. I knew it wasn’t fibro but I was convinced it as more than arthritis. I had seen my dad since his 30s with severe arthritis and by the time he died was hunched over. Finally at 50 I went to a 3rd rheumatologist in his 70s. He asked me several questions that no other dr had and put me through several bending exercises. My lab work came back positive HLA-B27 and I was diagnosed. Bc I was in such pain and had gone almost 10 years before diagnosis I was put on biologics immediately. I agree with another person who said they only work so long. They mostly help the stiffness. At 64 I have pain everywhere but the flares are the worst. Keep your lights shining.