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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141
Journeyman_AS_Kicker
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OP
Journeyman_AS_Kicker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141 |
Did a three week treatment back in May (the fourth treatment in the last 10 years). Now the effects of the radon are taking hold and I'm feeling great- inflammation down to nothing. I'm expecting this relief from pain and stiffness to last for at least a year (differs from person to person). I've written about my experiences here before (from 2007 on).
If you're curious about Jachymov- the Radon Spa town in the Northwestern part of the Czech republic- I suggest you research it. They even give a discount to people with AS because the treatment is so effective for our disease.
I have stayed at a couple of the spas in town, but the best for me is Radium Palace. There are much cheaper options too.
Luigi
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 71
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 71 |
It makes me so nervous because I'm on an TNF inhibitor and Radon is a cancer risk. My father had X-ray therapy back in the 40s and it cleared up his disease pretty much for life. Other than a few BCCs from his time in the South Pacific in WWII he never got cancer (and nobody in my family has ever had cancer except for my aunt, who has CML). I've begged for it. My rheumatologist just said: "not available anymore." *sigh* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1496076/
Last edited by MikeGinnyMD; 07/20/17 11:39 PM.
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Frederick
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Frederick
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It was back in the early 1960s. that I had radiotherapy (x-ray treatment) for my A.S. I was not as lucky as your father as it did me no good but at least neither did it give me cancer. It did however lead to nerve damage (Neuropathy) at the lower spine and down the legs.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141
Journeyman_AS_Kicker
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OP
Journeyman_AS_Kicker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141 |
The amount of radiation one gets from a 3-week treatment in Jachymov is equivalent to one chest x-ray.
It's not the same thing as living in a house with radon where you're living in it and breathing it 12+ hours every day for years and years... that's when one should be concerned about getting cancer from radon (as are a lot of things if taken in excess).
People all over Eastern Europe come to Jachymov year after year for "the cure". Of course one has to do what feels right for them- for me, this felt right. Funny, I've never done the TNF thing because I worry about its risk
Last edited by Luigi; 07/23/17 02:22 PM.
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Frederick
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Frederick
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I've never done the TNF thing because I worry about its risk
No matter what we do there is always some risk. All we can do is balance up the risk against any benefit. Anti-TNF was the best thing I ever had well to start with anyway.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141
Journeyman_AS_Kicker
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Journeyman_AS_Kicker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 141 |
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
New_Member
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New_Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 16 |
Arthritis was once treated with radiation, but caused cancer and this treatment was stopped
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Frederick
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Frederick
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I had radiotherapy way back in the mid 1960s. and then again in the early 1980s. It was thought to be the latest miracle cure for A.S. It did nothing for me but damage the nerves that run from the spine and down my legs. Worst thing they ever did to me. Still no cancer well not so far anyway.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 13
New_Member
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New_Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 13 |
Hi Luigi,
I'm currently in Bad Gastein, halfway through a two-week programme of radon therapy at the Heilstollen. It's something I have been thinking about trying for more than 6 years and your original posts played a role in my first research in 2011. So, thanks!
There are plenty of people with AS here: one of the benefits of coming to a specialist clinic is that I've been able to meet them and hear their stories. Some have been returning for ten years, some for 30, a few are on their first visit. The returnees have significant pain reduction for a good 9 to 12 months. There are a lot of people here who echo your story.
About half of the patients are here on private coin, the other half are covered by private or state medical insurance (German and Austrian). I'm part of the former bunch, unfortunately: we drove across from Ireland after finding that I was 14-months down the 'urgent' rheumatology waiting list with the HSE.
Let's see how the next weeks and months go. I'm hopeful, of course, but have thrown a healthy dose of realism into the mix.
I'll let you know.
Best,
Ag
HLA B27 +ve. Localised pain in SI joints, lumbar and thoracic spine. No swelling. Eyes OK, peripheral joints OK. NSAID usage from 2005 to 2018, meloxicam.
Least favourite saying: No Pain No Gain.
2005 - Diagnosed after two years of debilitating SI pain, early 20's 2017 - Waitlist for rheumatologist in Ireland=14-months 2018 - Seeking alternatives
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 178 Likes: 3
First_Degree_AS_Kicker
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First_Degree_AS_Kicker
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 178 Likes: 3 |
If All my treatments fail Im going to try Radon therapy. Seems very promising.
HLA B27+ Have AS since the age of 13. Diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 22
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