What biologics have you tried and how have they helped?
Please remember that everyone is different, and what works for some may not work for others. Please respect everyone's experience and their decisions to try or not try certain medications.
I suffered with AS for over 30 years before being diagnosed and several more years before trying Humira. It has given me incredible relief. Before Humira, I would often have to use a cane or even crutches to get around. My wife and kids would have to pull me up out of a chair because the pain was unbearable. Now, at 61 I feel better than I have in decades. I pitched the cane and crutches and live an active life. For me, Humira was a Godsend. My only problem now is that my insurance company doesn't consider AS a "thing" and won't cover it. My rheumatologist has been graciously supplying me with samples.
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First and foremost, I am so glad to hear you are doing well and Humira is making a difference for you! I can only hope and pray that between your insurance and rheumatologist, you can continue with this treatment.
Sending tons of positive thoughts, Doreen (Team Member)
Hi,
I was diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthtritis after my 3rd Covid booster in Nov 2021. I've been Type 1 diabetic since 1988. I tried Methotrexate pills then injections. Then Leflunomide, then Amgevita. Nothing helped with the pain. Then I started Cosentyx (secukinumab) in January. It seemed to work and life was good. I took the loading dose for 5 weeks and then started to suffer the worst diarrhoea for 6 weeks. I spent a week in the gastro ward where they diagnosed Inflammatory bowel disease. It had been triggered my the Cosentyx. My arthritis consultant said they had done a study of 75 patients on this med and only one had had mild symptoms. It had effected me more due to previous bowel surgery.
SO - steroids are helping atm but they are now suggesting Infliximab. Obviously I am cautious and am wondering if anyone else has tried this med?FYI: I was diagnosed with exogenous cushings after too much prednisone for way too long, took a year to wean off which felt like heck. While steroids are wonderful also hideous. Been on many biologics, but now on cocktail of Rinvoq, methotrexate and plaquenil. Working for now along with my pt exercises, chiropractic care, great docs pain management and neuro, all except for my rheumatologist who kept saying I don’t know what to do with you, so been seeing the PA til I find a new one! I was an Lpn but now on disability. But keep as busy as I can with grandkids and retirement…..😊 ,
Thanks for sharing a bit of your challenging journey.
I'm glad to hear you have found a few things that are making a difference for you.
Be well, and enjoy those grandkids!
~Doreen (Team Member)
My Rheumatologist started me on Enbrel and it didn't work, he switched me to Humira and I've been on it for 20+ years. The only problem was the cost, thank goodness Humira has a patient assistance program
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How did your spinal fusion surgery go? I hope the recovery is going well.
Getting through all the "red tape" involved in your Humira prescription can be challenging. Did the patient assistance program come through for you?
~Doreen (Team Member)yes thank goodness for the assistance program I use for Rinvoq.
Sometimes you go thru a process of trial and error before finding that one drug that clicks,
Because I also have Multiple Sclerosis, I can't take any other biologic than Cosentyx. Maybe the Jak might work, now, but I haven't seen any info on that. It has helped with the pain, hugely. I'm also hoping it will stop my spine from further fusing. It seems that when the inflammation from AS is lower, the MS seems more in control and that makes sense since MS is also an autoimmune disease.
Hello! Living with both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) sounds incredibly taxing, and I can only imagine the impact it has on your daily life. It really is positive to hear that Cosentyx has been helpful in managing your AS pain, which in turn has helped your symptoms of MS. Exploring the potential benefits of Jak inhibitors for your condition could be promising, but it's understandable that you'd want more information before considering any changes to your treatment plan. Have you had a chance to discuss the possibility of trying Jak inhibitors with your healthcare provider? I have used Xeljanz for the past year and it has really helped. I send this which has been helpful for me. It's pretty scientific so hang in there. It may help and you could take some of the info found to your treating physician and discuss it.
"Janus kinases (JAKs) are cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases that mediate the induction of STAT proteins, which then activate the transcription of various pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. INFγ or TNFα). JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib, ruxolitinib or baricitinib, have shown efficacy in the treatment of several inflammatory conditions and are approved for the treatment of PsO, RA and UC.161–163 In general, these small molecule inhibitors are less effective than biologicals, yet have proved to be advantageous because of their oral/topical administration and overall cost-effectiveness.164 Although there have been conflicting results for JAK inhibitors in EAE models and MS patients,165,166 the JAK/STAT pathway is critically involved in MS pathophysiology,167 thus JAK inhibitors may also become available for MS in the future."
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17562864211035542
Hoping this helps. Wishing you a wonderful February and hoping you are managing well. Rebecca (community moderator)
