newly diagnosed
I was just recently diagnosed with AS so I have lots of questions. Here is a quick synopsis: I am a 60 year old female. Have been active and a runner my whole life until the last few years when the pain in my joints and a constant headache became too much. I started taking meloxicam a few years ago prescribed by my family doctor. It started losing its effectiveness so I began seeing a rheumatologist who did extensive bloodwork and discovered positive HLA-B27 and also a very high RH factor. They are treating me for AS. I also had an abdominal tear recently with internal bleeding and can no longer take any NSAIDS. I just started Humira yesterday.
My joint pain is in my hands (mostly thumbs), feet, ankles, knees neck and just recently my sacroilliac joints. I was confused on why the AS diagnosis but the longer I'm off meloxicam the more pain I feel in in areas I never felt pain before.
Questions:
Why no rheumatoid diagnosis?
How long until Humira starts to help?
Will I ever run again?
Any advise?
I am frustrated as this has totally changed my active lifestyle but I'm also a very positive person and am willing to do whatever I need to do to work through this to feel better. I eat healthy, basically a pescatarian diet.
Thank you, I appreciate any advise.
Humira helped me big time. I was really bad physically when I was 31 yrs old. I took a long time to be diagnosed and seeing a rheumatologist as well.
I am so glad to hear it has helped you. I can imagine how hard it has been for you to not feel well for so long. It's such a relief to find something that can help. Sending you hugs, Nicky (Community Member)
Hi Karen, I'm a 64 yr. old female, diagnosed about 2 yrs ago and HLA-B27 positive. I was also very active, gardening, kayaking, hiking, etc. but a couple yrs ago my hips were so painful and my quads were so weak that I wasn't sure I could climb stairs, let alone hike with my dogs for miles in the woods. Sed rate and CRP extremely high, x-rays, MRI, diagnosis AS. My pain caused by enthesitis all throughout my trunk. I started on Methotrexate and later moved to Humira which seems to do okay keeping my inflammation down. I took both drugs together for about 3 months to give my Humira time to ramp up and then dropped the Mtx. But, I still seem to be plagued with tendon issues in my hands and the ball of my left foot. I recently had tendon release surgery in my hand, and have had cortisone injections in my foot, which had become so painful that I couldn't walk my dogs down the street. I have found that PT has greatly improved my lumbar and cervical issues (only exasperated by my age and active lifestyle), and rehabbed by tennis elbow (after a 4 hr kayak trip).
It completely derailed my life for a while. I've returned to doing a lot of activities, but fatigue easily and really pay the price if I walk/hike too far.
I understand your frustration. You may need to investigate other activities, perhaps biking unstead of running, etc. I sold my road bike because my back can no longer rider in a bent over position and opted for an electric utility style bike, sits my upright instead. Staying positive. I've always said, "Life is going to give you sh*t. It's how you deal with it that's important."
Caprice
Thanks for sharing your experience and kind words of support.
I hope your PT and recuperation are going well.
All my best, Doreen (Team Member)HI
Please keep us updated on how things are going.
We'll be thinking of you.
Kindly, Doreen (Team Member)
