Hi there, when I first started out on this road, I tried to treat this completely wholistically. That worked to a point, but then I began relying on Advil more and more. When I reached 12 Advil a day, my rheumy suggested that it might be better to go on one or two a day of something stronger, rather than 12/day of something weaker. Since then, I've been on Indocid (evil, evil to my system), Vioxx (worked beautifully but caused tummy burn), Mobic (did bubkuss), Naprosyn (didn't work all that well and increased tummy burn) and now Celebrex (because I have ulcers from the other NSAIDS - it doesn't work quite so well, but I'm hoping it's only a temporary measure until I can get on a DMARD or TNF Inhibitor).
You can find infor on those types of drugs, by the way, the Pharmacy forum of this site. DMARDs are disease modifying drugs, that halt the progression of the disease while you are taking them (apparently). TNF Inhibitors go after a specific area of the immune system that is cause our bodies to attack themselves. These drugs are still considered experimental for AS in some countries (Enbrel approved in the States last summer) and the long term side effects are, as yet, very unknown. But I've heard extremely good things about them from some people. Like most things with AS, it all depends on the individual as to what actually works.
I am sorry to hear about your rheumy. Hopefully, your GP is able to give you much of the care you need. You might want to get in touch with the Arthritis Foundation, as they have tons of good info, as well as running the Arthritis Self-Management Program, which has helped hundreds of people learn to cope and live with this disease more easily.
I've heard of rolfing, but never had it done, so I can't help you there. I do go to a chiropractor (it was my chiro that sent me for diagnosis, actually) whom I trust implicitly and with whom I have an extremely good and pro-active relationship. She only adjusts me when necessary and then only with an integrater which is a gizmo that doesn't require torquing of the spine for adjusting. Mainly, she does soft tissue work and stretching with me. However, I do know that I am extremely lucky in the chiropractor I have.
Hugs,
