Diagnosis- EOA vs Ankylosing Spondylitis

Hi Everyone (or Anyone),
This is my fist post. I have several reasons for my reluctance and one of the significant ones is my uncertainty in my diagnosis. I have decided to reach out here with what I fear may be a long post.

I have had a sudden onset of bilateral hand stiffness which is most profound at night and after any period of little/no movement (e.g. reading a book, taking a nap). I saw several doctors before ending up at a rheumatologist. Her diagnosis based largely on a physical exam and an ultrasound was erosive osteoarthritis (EOA). This was in spite of an early set of x-rays not showing indications of EOA. For a variety of reasons (in spite of my symptoms seeming spot on consistent with EOA), I got a second opinion from another rheumatologist and upon his physical exam he thought he saw profound stiffness virtually everywhere in my body (including chest). He suspected Ankylosing Spondylitis (Ank Spon) and had me get a spine x-ray. The initial radiologist report did not flag Ank Spon, though the rheumatologist thought it was clearly present. He discussed with radiologist who then re-issued the report stating that the findings where in keeping with Ank Spon.

So the second rheumatologist is convinced I have Ank Spon. This is why I avoid doctors -- I go in with stiff hands and leave with Ank Spon. After almost 2 months of medications including methotrexate and Salazopyrin I have no noticeable improvement in hands. When the doctor asks about how I am feeling he is asking about issues I did not even know I had, so very difficult to answer. I have indeed battled with increasingly profound "stiffness" but assumed it was from getting older (I am 62) and from being fairly rough on my body (lots of contact sports).

I know you all cannot diagnose me, but I would be so keen to hear thoughts, especially if anyone with Ank Spon has suffered sudden onset of acute hand stiffness (including multiple trigger fingers) as part of Ank Spon. That would give me more confidence I am treating the actual issue. I tested negative for the B-27 indicator as well as all other rheumatoid markers.

Thank you and happy to take discussion offline if that is appropriate.

Michael