Hi Everyone
I'm new to the board so please go easy on me if this question has already been asked.
I've been suffering from AS since I was 17 and was only diagnosed 18 months ago (34 years old). The reason I was diagnosed was my collar bone dislocated while exercising and my work insurance paid for me to see a rheumatologist. Since then along with my back and shoulder pain I've had swollen fingers, wrist, toe, knees and ankles. A couple of weeks ago I had a burst bakers cyst.
I've been taking NSAIDS daily for the last 12 months and was taking sulfazalasine. I stopped taking sulfazalasine because I was still getting peripheral swelling and it made me feel very lethargic.
My rheumatologist said he'd like to try me on Anti TNF so I was sent to see a nurse specialist as this is part of the process that must be followed on the NHS (UK). The nurse however has advised that I continue to take pain killers and NSAIDS and will see me again in 3 months
What I'd like to know is this because ANTI TNF is expensive or is it he feels I'm not ill enough and can manage on a combination of pain killers and NSAIDs. He did recommend that I don't take the NSAIDs every day and try only taking pain killers daily and NSAIDs only on real bad days. The problem is I can't go a day without taking the NSAIDs because the pain is to much.
Sorry for the long post.
