Hi Chris, and welcome to KA!!
I've been dx'd for two years now, living with AS for about 15 years that I know of. Since my dx, I've been trying to treat it holistically, using herbals, exercise, supplements and dietary changes. For myself, I've found that this has gone only so far and I've been taking more and more advil over the past few months. Now, I'm on tylenol arthritis three times and day and vioxx twice a day. Hate the idea of the vioxx, but it's what I have to do right now. As my rheumy said, we have to get my pain levels under control and then we can decide what to do.
However, that said, I would kill for a rheumy who would try to get me one of the DMARDS. I already have SI and thorasic involvement, plus a wee bit of hip, showing on my xrays. I can feel my neck, shoulders and hips becoming more and more involved and want something that will nip this thing in the bud. But I can't get it until I've gone through the GI tract eaters. I asked my rheumy about the DMARDs, but he felt that they were too little known at this point to prescribe as a first course of treatment. I disagree completely. I want this disease stopped before it does anymore damage. I still have quite good range of motion, and I want to keep it that way.
But, I can't get a DMARD approved by my benefits company without my rheumy's support. So, I'm on vioxx and whatever else first. Hopefully, it won't be too long before he realizes that my longterm prognosis and potential for damage is more important than anything else and he'll give me the DMARD I want.
I say go for it, Chris, but that's up to you. We all have to treat this thing in the way that suits us best as individuals.
Hugs,
Kat
