Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Good news, I think.

Got a letter from the rheumatologist today.
Letter reads as follows.

We have had your x-rays reviewed again by the radiologists and they have reported them according to the New York Classification. Based on this your x-rays indicate you have grade 2 sacrolitis, this meets one of the criteria required for you to qualify for the subsidised injection therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis. Dr XXXXXX believes you would benefit greatly from this therapy but unfortunately the PBS rules are very strict. Because you have servere pain + grade 2 sacrolitis,the third criteria you need is to meet is to be on steroids for a few months. I have enclosed a prescription for steroids,continue on these until we see you in outpatients, and hopefully then you will meet all the criteria PBS requires to fund your treatment.


So it looks like I have a chance of being able to go to biologics. It doesn't state what one and I'm not sure what they try first here in Australia. But things look like they are finally moving forwards at least.
Just have to convince myself this is what I want. lol

On another note should get Jacobs blood test results this Thursday.

Wow! That sounds great news! I'm kind of surprised with a protocol that makes you go on steroids for a period of months because its much harder to get off them then, rather than just a short taper or short course to prove response, but hey, thats what the aussie health service have decided.

Fingers crossed for Jacob. I hope whatever the findings are, they allow him to be treated much more appropriately and allowing him to keep up all the activity he does now.

Forward is GOOD!

yes, good to have a dx in that you can now have access to drugs that might help you.

they are really strict down there regarding the criteria for using the biologics!

here if a doctor determines that you have inflammatory arthritis and have tried a few nsaids then that is enough to be approved. which is good for me, as there are few tests that can detect undiff spondy, especially in between flares.

so excited for you! hope the biologics have you saying "they gave me my life back!"

Yeah I was not too happy about the months of steroids but they have only put me on 10mg a day. A very low dose compared to what I have been on in the past. I am guesssing they gave me the lowest dose possible just so I can pass the third criteria because they know I have little responce from even the higher doses.

Was a nice early Birthday prezzy though.

Yes forward is good.
Like so many with AS it has felt like I wasn't going anywhere or it was 1 step forward and 2 back.
This now feels like a giant leap forward so I am happy.

I am hoping this also.
I have not had a realy bad flare for a while but the every day pain has been worse. And I have found more and more things I just can't do or can't do them as long.

Don't know why you'd have to do a long-term steroid trial when a Medrol taper should tell them what they need to know, but at least you are getting the chance. Awesome!