Diagnosed with A.S., DISH and OPLL ... what to expect?

Posted by seperry @seperry, Dec 26, 2024

I have had ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed for the past 8 years and was just diagnosed with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). Pain is managable, but sleep and fatigue are the worst...anyone else have all three of these diseases?

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 28, 2024

@seperry I wanted to welcome you to Connect. I don't have your experience with your diagnoses, but I thought you may be interested in an article about sleeping habits and OPLL (Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament). This contributes to spinal stenosis.

J Epidemiol
. 2005 Mar 18;14(5):168–173. doi: 10.2188/jea.14.168
Sleeping Habit and Other Life Styles in the Prime of Life and Risk for Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Spine (OPLL): a Case-control Study in Japan
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8787206/
You might also be interested in this discussion.

Spine Health - "Does anyone have DISH and/or OPLL?"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-have-dish-and-or-opll/

ateaz | @ateaz | Mar 28 10:40am

Hi, I've had c2 to c6 done due to opll I've had a bad experience I cannot look up or down and left or right after I was told before the surgery I would have a normal life sleeping is bad I can't sleep on my back as my head will not go back am going to read the links above as I'm really struggling with the pain and to try and get comfortable at night I've had to learn to sleep sat up or have 6 pillows under me I hope your experience is not as bad as main I can't leave house unless someone is with me as I can't see anything coming towards me or cross a road