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March 26, 2009, 7:41 pm
Flag as Inappropriate Sammy  

I have a type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis. It's a form of rheumatoid arthritis that causes fusing and deformity of joints especially the spine. My question is this: Has anyone with rheumatoid arthritis used anything that has helped them? I have tried so many of the drugs and so far nothing I have used has stopped the fusing or the deformity of my joints. I really need some suggestions about drugs that have worked for you or some suggestions about alternative treatments that have worked for you.

I have never gone through it though I did have a friend who suffered from A.S. He took what I believe was called Enbrel (sp?) and had a lot of physical therapy.

I know both seemed to really help him. Though when he started Enbrel it was in it's infancy as far as coming out on the market, I believe in 2004 or there abouts. I've never heard much about it since then but may be something to look into.

Oh, that sounds horrible. I have osteoarthritis and that is bad enough. I have some pain but it's nothing I can't handle with some mild pain relievers. I would be hard pressed to deal with something as painful as that.

Are you seeing an actual rheumatologist? Too many people continue to see their regular doctor when a specialist has so much more up-to-date knowledge on what can help the most. If you are seeing one, try another if that one isn't helping at all.

I'm sorry to hear that man. Life sometimes hands us a hard row to hoe. Chronic pain can be very tiring as well as trying to deal with the pain. I have a friend who has chronic pain from a car accident and the doctor put him on an antidepressant which helps with the long term pain. Maybe something like that would help. I would check anyway.