Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Consider ANA testing during anti-TNF treatment

Just got this from a lupus newsletter
http://www.jrheum.org/content/37/1/204.full

"Patients treated with TNF blockers, especially those with positive ANA, should be closely monitored for development of SLE."

The few cases of anti-TNF-induced lupus so far were RA and PsA patients, but the recommendation to watch ANA levels seems applicable to AS people too. We tend to get plenty of blood tests anyways, so might as well add in another check while you're at it...

I am on Remicade....Thanks for the info and article

Heard of 'a' case where this happened with RX for Remicade. Patient was suffering from an autoimmune disease, but not DX with AS.

Just been discussing the anti'TNF drugs with a doctor friend of mine, he is not happy with the anti-TNF drugs. But as soooo many say, IF you 'can' support em and are willing to take the risk, then at least get some surcease with their use.

TG I do not have to take such a decision.

Even after you've accepted the risk of taking a particular drug, it's wise to stay informed about side-effects that other people have experienced. My sister went through a big ordeal (including a trip to the ER and weeks of hospitalization) that probably would never have happened if she had been aware of potential side-effects and stopped taking the prescription at the first sign of problems.

Absolutely, SJLC. In *total agreement. Upto us, the patient to be informed - well informed.

Though having said that have slipped up myself, when I didn't fully check out the side effects of that SSZ...GGGGRrrrrrr Tinnitus just aint funny!

Though have checked out the side effects of the glaucoma drugs/meds. Potential to be *most unpleasant. Think the 'panda eyes' and potential to 'grow hairs over the eye lids' was the real turn off...that, and changing the colour of the eyes if they were light, as in green, or blue. Well, with red hair, turquoise eyes and white skin...wunnerful! My eyes would look like fuzzy red traffic lights, with a whalloping punch in em! EEEeeeek. <NLM>

Using alternative medications and therapies. Seeing new optho to check out field of vision on 6 April Might be interesting!

What drug was your sister on? Sounds a frightful reaction. Too scary by half. That's what's happened to the person I'm acquainted with, in hospital. It's not a good scene. Sigh.

It was Zyrtec and an antibiotic (both prescribed for a simple case of bronchitis). Don't remember now the antibiotic name. Zyrtec is now available over-the-counter, how fun...
http://www.rxlist.com/zyrtec-drug.htm

Insomnia was the initial symptom, but things kept progressing until she ended up at the ER.

also remember the "side effects" of AS are potentially life threatening. And the reduction of your quality of life hardly makes life worth living or tolerable.

I have safely used TNF's for 10 years. Am I concerned? Yes. I have no regrets though. They really saved my life to a large extent although they no longer work as well for me.

That doesn't change the wisdom of keeping close tabs on how you are doing while on them, does it?

Please stop taking my cautions as criticisms of your treatment plan -- I'm not intending them that way. Side effects are often minimized, but given your profession I assume you have a much better understanding of risks than most patients, who just take what their doctor tells them. I have a friend with Crohns who could easily have died if he hadn't stopped a particular medication (against his doctor's advice btw). I'm sure you would do the same if similarly unlucky.

LOL...actually I wasnt referring to your post but had just read yours when I answered.

I absolutely agree with you that you should keep very close tabs on your health through whatever means while on this drug. This drug is brand new. Who knows in 20 years I might be growing an extra head It's a roll of the dice to take any drug. To not treat your disease and believe falsely in some "natural" ideology is frankly ignorant (I'm not refering to you:) I say this because for a while I was like this when I was diagnosed. I was plain wrong and stupid. Thankfully all the yoga I did prevented fusing.

Phew, that's good. I was afraid I'd totally offended you in another thread, even though I tried hard to keep foot out of mouth when replying



I sure can't say the same -- was misdiagnosed as a young'un and the fusing slipped up on me when I wasn't looking. For a long time I thought the reason I couldn't bend down to pick up things anymore was because of the pain, not because my back was fusing itself!