Hi Paula!
Thanks so much for your reply! Yes, the eye dr. did concern me and I was surprised he said that by looking in my eyes. He was sure I have "ankylosing Spondylitis". He said he didn't have to do anymore tests because he was so sure. He hadn't even looked at my medical history or discussed my other symptoms with me.....just by my eye condition.
I do have a rheumotologist and called him the next day to make an apt.
to follow up on this but not for a couple of weeks. He diagnosed me with fibromyalgia 3 years ago. But it is my understanding that fibro is not an inflammatory disease even though it is an autoimmune disease. The eye dr. said my eye problem is definitely related to inflammation which couldn't it be the DDD I have and not anything more? What do you have?
You asked about my symptoms, they are: pain all over, severe stiffness all over (mainly back, hips and feet) especially in the mornings, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, shallow breathing making it difficult to exert myself, can't go anywhere in the mornings, can't walk without extreme pain and weakness (have to use a wheelchair or scooter in stores). There's more but those are the main symptoms. A lot of this I am contributing to my collapsed disk L-5/S-1 but am not sure if there is more going on. I am to have either a fusion or ADR in the near future.
Thanks for your concern!
Gail
Back pain relating to Episcleritis? 
