Hi Sue,
Over here in Aus it's a bit different.
I get my Enbrel from the Government, and will continue to do so as long as it is being effective.
My private health insurance makes sure I don't pay anything when I go into hospital, and that I get a single private room.
My income protection insurance pays me 75% of my salary until I turn 65 based purely on the fact that I can't work - it doesn't matter what the diagnosis is.
The Total Permanent Disability insurance is a lump sum which they are not very keen to pay. They are the ones that have had me go to their specialist doctors (hah!) who have concluded I don't have AS based on a lack of fusion - my problem is inflammation in a big way plus all the other symptoms I described above.
So instead of arguing that I do have AS, my specialists have thrown up their hands (cause it isn't worth arguing) and agreed, but said no matter what you call it, I'm disabled.
So that is why techncally I don't have AS, but if it wasn't for the nit picking TPD Insurance Company, I would.
BTW, my previous, extremely knowledgable GP told me that 80% of people with "Inflammatory Arthritis" are unable to work after 10 years.
Your Doc should be trying anything to help your pain! If it wasn't for Enbrel and Lyrica, I would be stuck in bed, in agony.
All the best,
James
