Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Shared diagnosis-same treatment

It's all in the family....for the most part.

Hubby got his diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis earlier this year. I got a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis 4 yrs ago, but firmed up to PsA last year. He was promptly started on MTX since he was already on Mobic. I'm taking both of those. Now he's gotten approval for Humira, which I've taken for almost 4 months. We have the same rheumy and the same pain management doc. Have had many of the same pain mgmt procedures. He used to kid me about all my medical issues...but I am the one who got him the referral to rheumatology that got him diagnosed.

For a few years previous, he has developed many of the same complaints I have endured for years...back pain, compression fracture, osteoporosis, plantar fasciitis. I was thinking all this time that it was familiar and mentioned it a few times, but he didn't want to pursue it. Then our pain doc suggested injecting the SI to see if it was a pain generator and it DID reduce his pain. I was really suspicious of PsA at that point. Then the rash on his elbows was diagnosed as psoriasis. I told him he needed to see the rheumy. He agreed. Appt three weeks later. At follow-up 2 weeks after labs/x-rays, rheumy told him it was PsA.

We will use the same mail order pharmacy for the Humira. That is likely to confuse someone eventually....same drug, same address, different names on rx.

But there is no doubt we understand the other's pain. He had to stop the MTX and Mobic for rotator cuff surgery coming this week. I'm sorry he's hurting so much, but he's got a highly recommended surgeon doing the repair. We are hopeful.

Huh!!! What a Copy Cat! At least you are in it together...

I hope all goes well for the RC repair.

It is interesting isn't it? My husband developed RA some years back and has a terrible time with his back and hips. We have been on the same meds. He has no family history of autoimmune problems. Makes you think doesn't it.

We certainly understand each other. It is just hard when we both are flaring at the same time. Like now. :o) This unsettled weather gets both of us.

Watch the storms Rumble. I can't believe we are doing this again already. Both of you take care of yourselves.

He came through the surgery okay, but pain control has been an issue almost immediately. They kept pushing IV dilaudid and it did nothing (1mg at a time, hourly). Added Robaxin 1500mg. Then switched to Oxycontin 10mg and oxycodone 7.5/325, later bumping to 10/325. Came home today after very little sleep last night. Had a 'fun' OT and PT consultation before discharge. AFter getting home, visitors caused him to be late on one dose of the oxycodone and he's been playing catch-up all day. Icing, TENS, gentle pendulum exercises. He's frustrated. At least he can start up the Mobic again and next week starts MTX again after 2 weeks missed. Humira on tap as soon as surgeon says it's okay. I got him outside for a little walk down the driveway and back, then sitting in swing on porch talking. Distraction, right? We will sleep hard tonight, but I set an alarm on his phone for next pain dose. He's getting around okay, but needs help to get dressed/undressed while still 'slinged'. One-handed (non-dominant) living is tough. Surgeon has ordered a 'continuous passive motion' machine for him (rent), but insurance refused coverage. Depending on cost, I may just pay out of pocket, or I'll fight with them. Back when he had to get a kyphoplasty, insurance didn't want to cover, but we fought that one and won. Not sure what the chances are this time. Seeing how much trouble he had today, I'm inclined to try it. Frozen shoulder would be terrible for him now.

I'll likely go back to work on Friday if he's better. It's about 50/50 right now.

Glad to hear an update. I have been thinking of you both. The continuous motion machine is such a big help. I hate how they are so quick to deny coverages.

I hope his pain gets better quickly.

Hugs and Blessings.

Sometimes you just have to fight. Get the Dr. to say it is medically necessary. A good Dr. can make a big difference in dealing with insurance people. Don't let the time slip by.

My husband "only" shares the neck / upperback stuff due to a disk problem for him. Luckily it only flared badly once thus far. But in my opinion, that's enough in common. Well that and some GI stuff. I hope he never has to go through what we go through; I think he understands and empathizes well enough without experiencing it, thank goodness. And he does so much around here that I physically can't; if he couldn't, we've be up a creek. It makes me really appreciate how lucky I am to have someone who can pick up the slack for me; i know that not everyone has that.

Good luck on his surgery!

I mean now, good luck with the recovery!

As for that machine, I had a similar experience when my doctor and PT wanted me to have an IF machine. Insurance wouldn't cover it. but they gave me a demo to try to see if it worked. when it worked, and i wanted one, insurance said it was "experimental" (no proof it worked) and so said I couldn't have one. I wish they'd just ask us and we'd tell them that it worked. it was the only thing that worked for me back in the fall of 2009. Anyway, i just took my old sweet time returning it.

Maybe you can see if you can get a loner to borrow and just take your time giving it back? wonder if the company can do that for you?

otherwise, write a letter and have your doctor sign it. i did that for a drug once and got the negative decision overturned. that was a while ago, but it did work.

I am pretty sure you can rent them. My brother has a Home Health Equipment business and I know he has a lot of rental things like that..of course with a prescription.

We don't have it right now, but maybe next week we can get it worked out. He's doing okay with the pendulum exercise right now. Pain levels are down some and his doses of the immediate action oxy are down. It's gradually getting better. I go back to work tomorrow (Saturday) and then have 2 more days off. I can pester them on Monday non-stop. Yesterday, we went out to the home improvement store for a change of scenery. I got some plants (2 pots of 75% off flowers--they were sad looking, but had green leaves and a few flowers all over--orig $17. and 5 tomato plants--2 cherry and 3 regular) I planted all in pots on my front porch area. Flowers in shaded part and tomatoes in sunny part. Have 4 more pots which need soil and flowers.

Noted to hubby, who sat in swing on porch to keep me company, that it was testament to Humira that I was able to do this. But after a shower, I'm pretty sure I did too much. Had to drag 2 pots from backyard, via wagon, to plant the tomatoes. Hope to sleep well again tonight. Feeling proud for now, but figure the plants will die before producing anything edible. Flowers may survive.

Rumble I am so glad you were able to do that. To me, gardening is where I can forget everything else. I hope to do that next Spring. However, my garden looks better than ever without me in it. :o) Maybe should leave it with my daughter.

Hubby replanted tomatillas yesterday and a couple more pepper plants and a grape tomato plant. Everything else is looking good. The last two years of heat and no rain had just about made us quit gardening.

Hope you feel ok and have a good rest of the weekend.