My opinion is that every day your condition is not under control you are incurring more mechanical damage to your body through inflammation. NSAIDS can only relieve inflammation (at a cost to the body), not prevent it, and do not prevent damage. Remicade has been helpful to many; however, there are a lot of options out there, such as Enbrel, Humira, and what I'm on, Arava, which is also a new disease modifier. Do your research but don't reject these new treatments out of hand. I am in remission but still have a lot of mechanical damage (25 plus years of inflammation before Arava got it under control) which causes discomfort, especially at night. The new DMARDS prevent the inflammation, thereby preventing damage, and there is some evidence they may also repair some of the damage already there. Also check into diet. The NSD didn't do that much for me, I try to stay with the LSD, it is a healthy diet which is a good thing whether or not it directly helps the AS problem. Keep an open mind, do your research, but remember that this disease can wreak havoc on the body on so many levels that if something is available that would forestall this, then perhaps it's worth a try. I have a fused foot, the soles of my feet are numb, I get leg pains down the front of my right leg, my neck is partially fused now, my SIs, the list goes on. I wish Arava had been available all those years ago before I had the damage.

Hope this helps

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with

My guy If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Author Unknown