Hi all. I am happy to have found this website. Nice to chat with others that have similar problems and understand what I'm going through right now.
I have used Bextra for the last 6 months or so, having run the gamut of NSAID's until now, with limited success (Indocid, Vioxx, Naprocen, etc...). The Bextra helps minimally...but doesnt really do much. I asked my rheumy about Mtx and other DMARDS but she doesnt think they do much good for people with AS/PA
I also take Tylenol Arth for pain, but have refused the offers of narcotics from my rheumy, as I fear opiates and other heavy drugs. In my line of work, I need my brain to work properly, and not be so clouded up, which is what opiates do to me.
I noticed a poster mentioned the use of Medical MJ to help treat the pain...I know this is a controversial issue, but I have done a lot of research into it, and have found that the oral ingestion of MJ in controlled dosages really helps me with the pain, and gives temporary relief of my symptoms without fogging up my brain like "legally prescribed" narcotics do. I am thinking of approaching my rheumy to see about applying for a Medical Marijuana access card from Health Canada so that I can legally use MJ as part of my pain management program. Now...I dont condone the reckless consumption of the drug, but I definitely find it helps out when used in a controlled environment, and treated like you would any other "prescribed" drug. My biggest beef with the usage of MJ, is the fact that you have to deal with the "black market" in order to obtain it (for the most part), and I DO NOT like to deal with nefarious characters...would prefer to simply take care of growing my own medication in the safety of my own home. (Cant even stomach the thought of trying to obtain the gov't stash....I hear they grew that schwag in an abandonned mine, and that the gov't MJ is full of heavy metals and other toxins.....nice!!! thx Health Can) :(
I am waiting to find out whether I am on a clinical trial for Humira, which is a new TNF-a drug (like Enbrel, Remicade). If so, I'll be starting that in January, and will post my results to you here. From what I've heard from others, TNF-a drugs are the way to go, and have given many AS/PA pts a lot of relief from the pain and suffering. For me, trying to get on a trial is the only way I can afford to try Biologics.
Here in Canada, Enbrel is used, however it is ghastly expensive, and if you dont have a medical plan that covers Enbrel (In my province, Blue Cross doesnt cover Enbrel unless you have RA)---prepare to spend upwards of $25k a year to go on Enbrel!!! I guess its an option if you are rich, but for us plebs, it is out of the question.
