Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Alexaleigh

Hello everyone!

I have recently been diagnosed with the above condition.I had open heart surgery 3 years ago and had just returned to work when lockdown happened.Throughout lockdown I was in great pain...and had to wait until things got back to relatively normal in order to see a specialist.I got really depressed and regretted the Heart op!I have had psoriasis since I was a baby but have tested positive for the hb427(?)gene.

i am at present on anti inflammatory meds but that’s not ideal with my ongoing Heart meds.It is helping with the pain....but...

i have been offered the “ Biological “ treatment adimulab( spelling) and wondered if anyone can comment on the treatment...

TIA...Alexa.

PeterJ

Hello @Alexaleigh and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and have been prescribed adalimumab as a treatment and wondering what it is. Our website has a lot of useful information and I have put a couple of links in below that may be of help, but please do have a look yourself

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/adalimumab/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/

I am sure that others will connect with you and share their thoughts and experiences so please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

With very best wishes

Peter

Alexaleigh

Thank you Peter.

Mctosie

Hi Alexa, I have also been diagnosed with AS quite recently, after at least 14 years of iritis, and a few years of back pain. Starting on the biologic on Thursday, I'll let you know how I get on. I was a very active hill runner until a couple of years ago; now I'm suddenly older than my years with almost constant exhaustion, horrific flare ups and a liver that is unhappy with the amount of nsaids it's had thrown at it. I'm also feeling very sorry for myself cos I had to take a day off work with it today, and that makes me mad 😡

jamieA

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/56962/ankylosing-spondylitis

Hi Alexa,

I'm a 66 year old male and I've suffered from psoriasis since I was young. In October 2020 I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis after suffering pain and swelling in multiple joints. I was put on Sulfasalazine initially, then methotrexate was added and then in July 2021 the biosimilar Amgevita - which is the Adalimumab biologic - was added. In May 2021 - before the biologic was prescribed - I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and the cardiac consultant stopped the NSAID Etodolac and painkiller Amitriptyline I was on. It took about 2 months for Amgevita to fully work well for me and I've now been able to go back to walking 60-70kms a week - albeit with a limp.

TomMcL

Hi @Alexaleigh - I went on to Adalimumab (the Humira brand version) in early 2016 and the impact was very positive very quickly. I was able to walk much further (see steps chart below) and, linked to that, my mental health improved. They switched me from the Humira version to the Imraldi generic version a year or so ago but it stung when I injected it so I’ve gone back to Humira. It’s a wee bit nervy at first to be taking it but I can honestly those nerves had gone after the first injection - a nurse helps you - and it’s been all positive since. (Doesn’t get rid of flare ups of course but that’s another topic). Should you take up the Adalimumab offer? Only you can decide as only you know what’s right for you so keep on taking soundings, doing your reading up and remaining in control. Best wishes, tom