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Suggest Treatment For Ankylosing Spondylitis
My daughter suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis. This is her second MAJOR flare up. she has been unable to walk for 2 mos now. Her Rheumy has started her on Enbrel again. She was on Enbrel in June and it was successful but in high doses. 2 shots per week. When they reduced her to 1 shot a week, she went back into a flare up. They started her on humira and after 6 weeks, changed back to Enbrel again, 2 shots per week. This is our second week and we have not seen any improvements. We understand that it takes time and are extremely hopeful that it will work once again for her. My question is: Would a Spinal Cord stimulator benefit her in terms of blocking the pain sensation giving her the ability to ignore/not feel the pain and allowing her to walk again?
Fri, 28 Nov 2014
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
After going through your suffering, Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that is autoimmune in nature. It affects mainly spine and at sites of major tendon attachment at heel and knee. Just like various chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and Ischemic heart disease are not curable but controllable. Ankylosing spondylitis is also controllable. With proper medication and exercises you can lead an absolutely normal life without any pain or disability.
The drugs usually given are Sulfsalazine/Methotrexate along with and pain killer. In addition, relatively new drugs called biologics - Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab) - have been used under rheumatologist guidance for treating ankylosing spondylitis.It is not advisable to stop medication on your own as it only leads to accrual of joint damage and leads to joint deformities.
So keep a positive attitude and take regular medication; also exercise regularly.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Thanks for your query.
After going through your suffering, Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that is autoimmune in nature. It affects mainly spine and at sites of major tendon attachment at heel and knee. Just like various chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and Ischemic heart disease are not curable but controllable. Ankylosing spondylitis is also controllable. With proper medication and exercises you can lead an absolutely normal life without any pain or disability.
The drugs usually given are Sulfsalazine/Methotrexate along with and pain killer. In addition, relatively new drugs called biologics - Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Remicade (infliximab) - have been used under rheumatologist guidance for treating ankylosing spondylitis.It is not advisable to stop medication on your own as it only leads to accrual of joint damage and leads to joint deformities.
So keep a positive attitude and take regular medication; also exercise regularly.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
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