Hi, Hilary,

There are several people whom test negative for HLA-B27, and yet still have AS. Not very reassuring - on the testing outcome - huh, considering people have still been dx'd with it.

For numbers, you might want to check out these pages:


http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as.aspx

"....This marker is found in over 95% of people in the causcasion popluation with AS (the association between ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-B27 varies greatly between ethnic and racial groups, see our AS Diagnosis section for more information). It is important to note, however, that you do not have to be HLA-B27 positive to have AS. Also, a majority of the people with this marker never contract ankylosing spondylitis...."


http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as_diag.aspx

"....the HLA-B27 test is not a diagnostic test for AS. Also, the association between AS and HLA-B27 varies in different ethnic and racial groups. It can be a very strong indicator in that over 95% of people in the caucasion population who have AS test HLA-B27 positive. However, only 50% of African American patients with AS possess HLA-B27, and it is close to 80% among AS patients from Mediterranean countries...."

I'm wondering how you're doing/feeling, Hilary.

Hey Bobbi! I actually went back to work on Dec. 4, so I haven't had time to get on here. I have actually started physical/occupational therapy. The therapists said that he can tell that I have some tissue damage in the neck area. Also, the nerves in the neck/chest/upperback area are inflamed and hypersensitive. He believes that I may have thoracic outlet syndrome. However, I haven't had a doctor suggest this. Also, we've noticed that when he touches certain areas in my neck, it causes issues with my face. My face appears to want to sag. Also, when he moves my head certain ways, my arm/fingers will become numb. I'm still on indomethacin. I do feel like things are getting better. I don't know if the therapy will work-I feel good immediately after a session, but I usually feel horrible the next day.