Hello to all!!
Just looking for opinions.. After a few meetings with a rheumatologist, who seemed to think that A.S. was probably NOT the cause of the pain and discomfort I've been experiencing (I thought she was wrong), I've been officially diagnosed with A.S.. Based on what I learned on this site and a few others over the last 8 months(when I heard of A.S. for the first time), and the signs and symptoms I have/had (iritis, hla-b27 +, unexplainable foot, hip, neck and back pain), I felt pretty sure of what was causing my issues...A.S.
Now, my question:
I was prescribed indomethacin for 1 month and it did not accomplish anything for me.
My rheumy changed my prescription to arthrotec for the last two months which does often seem to help, but it seems to be helping less and less frequently and the pain in my SI joint has increased dramatically in the last 30-60 days, I've devoloped a stiff feeling in my neck, and the middle of my spine is more painful and stiff then ever before.
My rheumy told me on Wednesday (my diagnosis day) that she was going to apply to my insurance provider to get me treated with Remicade, and I am concerned that I haven't tried some other treattment measures that aren't as agressive as Remicade.
Should I be glad to have a Rheumy who is willing to get agressive and try to attack A.S. quickly instead of making me go through allot of other treatments like it seems most of you have had to do? Or should I be looking to try some other treatment measures that don't seem to have as many potentially serious side effect as Remicade? The thought of suppressing my immune system with Remicade seems a little scary, and the fact that there are no long term effects known because the drugs are so new is disconcerning, but so many people seem to have good results and I'd like to get this pain under control.
Sorry for being longwinded, but I'd really apprieciate some input from all of you experts in here, because I don't feel that a Dr without A.S. can have as valuable an opinion as a person with A.S. Thanks for any input.
