Suspecting I have AS--questions to ask my doctor?

Hello everyone,

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Thanks in advance for any advice. It's unsettling to learn and come to terms with medical conditions such as AS. But advice I've read on this forum is definitely comforting-- thank you for those who reply and give more information.

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I've had low back pain since my teens (24 now). i'm a tall guy, so back pain is not uncommon I've heard. I always assumed that my pain was just because I wasn't diligent enough about stretching, or that I was sitting dow to too much. I long ago made the connection between sitting for long periods and pain, and the relief i get with exercise.

I'm pretty active and lead a relatively normal life. I run most days, and am in very good shape for endurance exercise. Healthy weight. My sleep/ laying down is the worst part! It's hard to get a full nights sleep, my low back frequently aches in the morning. Sitting to study (in college and currently in grad school) is also a source of lots of pain and tension. This has also happened for years, but I've just toughed it out.

Recently I went in to see a doc about a shoulder joint pain that just wont heal (possibly AS related?) and told him about the chronic back pain. He took an x-ray of my pelvis and lumbar spine. my spine was normal (no fusion evidence) but my pelvis was not. the radiologist diagnosed sacroilitis and could see evidence of damage on the bone via the x-ray. I also have mild arthritis in my right hip.

So next I got blood tests: Hlba-27 negative, CRP rate of 0.2, everything else on a general blood test was in normal ranges.

I'm now waiting on a call from my doctor. What should I expect? what should I ask?

TL:DR I have textbook AS symptoms but none of the lab indications.... it would stink to be in diagnosis limbo.