Going Natural: My Decision To Stop Taking Biologics

By Nadine Cruz

3 min read

It's been a long 5 years of trying different treatments that have unfortunately not been successful for me. The medications have caused issues for me. Of course with my luck none have been good for me. I can admit Cimzia was the only biologic where I felt some improvement, however I developed PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). I'm fairly young to have heart issues and the doctors couldn't determine whether it was the Cimzia or AS so they took me off.

I'm at a point in my life where I no longer want to be a guinea pig and try anymore medication so I decided to go all natural. Since August I slowly weened myself off of all meds and started taking sea moss and juicing. My body has more energy. I'm not as fatigued as I was a few months ago--so far so good. The pain is still active because I have joint damage and we all know that is hard to reverse once the damage is done. However I've read about the benefits of sea moss so I'm hopeful that this is the best way for me.

Learning as much as I can

Now I know that this is not the answer for everyone and I'm in no way saying medication is bad. It just hasn't been effective for my immune system. It happens. Not everyone does well with medication. If the meds help you that's great. My advice is: research everything that is prescribed to you. As a newly diagnosed patient I got overwhelmed with all the different treatments available and I was prone to take everything because I was trusting.

Another piece of advice I have: if a medication is not helping after a certain amount of time, do not be scared to speak up and tell your doctor that you no longer want to be on that medication. It's ok to say no. It's your body and your health you have every right to refuse medication that is not helping or causing other issues like side effects.

Side effects

I developed stomach issues from sulfasalazine. My doctor told me if it starts causing stomach issues stop taking it. My thing is if you know that a medication will cause other issues, why even prescribe it? Because we just have to accept it and hope for the best? Not for me. I don't want other issues on top of the issues I already have, that's torture on my body and I won't accept that anymore.

My experience being off of meds

Since I've been off of meds, my stomach has healed, my mood is better, my energy has improved, and I'm more aware of what goes in my body. Eating healthy has been a game changer because there is a food for every symptom I have. Also keeping active has helped me as well. Yes it hurts, and it is probably always going to hurt when I move. But staying still is not an option for my lifestyle. I feel better when I'm active, I just can't overdo it. I rest when my body tells me to rest.

For me, everything causes my pain to increase. I mean everything: showering, washing clothes, doing the dishes, cooking, cleaning, taking walks, going out with family or friends. It's just something that you have to adjust to because there are no quick fixes.

There are no right or wrong answers. This disease is very complicated to manage. If you don't educate yourself it won't be any easier, physically or mentally. I'm always researching ways to calm my pain because who wants to live in pain, at any age? It is not fun and it takes a lot from your life, and we deserve to live a happy healthy life still.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Alii Member
Hi <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> Can you elaborate more about anti-inflammatory natural diet ...
SuzyQ22 Member
<inline-mention username="Lisa Marie Basile" user-id="2390344"/> Thank you , it’s so good to hear what other people have tried and the things that have helped them . I really need to be stronger and get back into eating a more anti inflammatory diet . I do eat healthy most of the time but I do have a sweet tooth lol and can easily be tempted into eating too much sugar . So I heard about the hypnotherapy from someone I know who had tried it too and basically the lady explained as in the mind and physical are connected . Although she can not get rid of the A.S obviously lol she said that sometimes when we experience some kind of trauma , grief , stress that kind of thing it can impact on the body causing inflammation . In the last two sessions she has taken me into a relaxation , mediative state and helped with certain passed stressful events . I now remember the event but with out holding on to the emotion attached to that . I hope I have explained it ok through message . To be honest I am a one for keeping an open mind and finding other ways to benefit me as a whole person as well as managing any A.S symptoms . It has really helped with my friend in other aspects so I thought why not give it a go . I hope you are feeling well today . Take care and wishing you well .
Vekav Member
Hi <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> Sorry to hear about your failed biologics treatment but glad you have found going natural and making all these changes is helping. Iam currently on Hadlima which is going good so far but I do think that other alternative techniques like yoga, intermittent fasting and following an anti inflammatory diet helps too. I do certainly notice an increase in pain levels on cheat days. If you haven't already give rose hip supplements a go. I have seen a noticeable decrease in inflammation and pain level ever since taking them. Take good care of yourself. Best V
1. Nadine Cruz Member
 <inline-mention username="Vekav" user-id="4541507"/> Hi V Thank you so much for your support, yes I agree a well balanced anti inflammatory diet def makes a difference we are what we eat! I will def look into rose hip I have never heard of it thank you for sharing! How are you feeling today? Sending love 💙 Nadine (Team Member) 
2. Vekav Member
 <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> thanks again for sharing your story x I will defo give Sea Moss a ago. Feeling not too bad today thanks. Hope your feeling good today too.
Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
I love this article, because you are upfront about everything. Not only have you tried meds, you’ve tried holistic stuff too. I think hearing this perspective and approach is really helpful for people, especially newly diagnosed patients. I have sea moss gel in my fridge that I use for my face, but I’ve never heard of it for the body. How do you think it helps you, and how long have you been taking? I’m so curious.
SuzyQ22 Member
 Hi <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> i am happy to hear you have found something else that is helping you , I have never heard of sea moss before so thank you as I will give this a look . I am a one for giving all things a go , natural herbs and alternative treatments . I feel like all these have had a place in helping me with pain and stiffness . Although I am now on Enbrel and it has helped me lots so far. But I have found since starting it that I do seem catch other things more easily ,like colds and coughs . I was once on sulfasalazine a long time ago and same as you had really bad tummy pain so came off it straight away . I feel it’s great you are giving it a go with diet , exercise and the sea moss and I really hope these things help you enough with out taking something stronger . My new thing is hypnotherapy , again something new for me to give it ago as it may just help . Wishing you well . 
1. Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="SuzyQ22" user-id="4536537"/> Hi Suzy! Good to hear from you again here in these comments. I’m also very curious about the sea moss gel and I’m going to research that tonight. I have also been taking a holistic approach for a while now, with lots of daily exercise and intermittent fasting. The eating pattern helps the most. I’ve also been eating pretty anti-inflammatory, although I certainly love candy and cookies lol. I’m very interested to hear about your hypnotherapy. How do you think that helps you? I think we have to do what we can, and take matters into our own hands a lot. I’m also all about pharmaceuticals, but I do know that a lot of these medications are not great for the body. Glad to hear Embrel helping. 
2. SuzyQ22 Member
 <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> Thank you , I have written back underneath about the hypnosis I hope you find it helpful . I feel really relaxed after but can remember everything too . I do feel better in my self after only a couple of sessions . Although I would say that my pain levels have escalated a little in the last few days . I think because I missed the Enbrel for two weeks due to having a cold and this last week has been super busy with the children’s half term and working . I will probably have a few more hypnotherapy sessions and see how it goes . How are you ? I hope you are still doing well . Take care , blessings to you .
cindybh Member
my journey exactly!
1. Nicky-Flikas-aks Moderator & Contributor
 Hi @cindydybh how are you doing and feeling today? How was your weekend been? I can relate as well to Nadine article. Have you decided to not take any biologics? Nicky (Team Member)
2. Nadine Cruz Member
 <inline-mention username="cindybh" user-id="2381326"/> Is it helping you? I’m so glad to see other people taking this approach, I feel like it’s possible to heal ourselves off of meds we just have to be consistent and disciplined. How are you feeling today? Sending love and strength 💙💪🏽 Nadine (Team Member)
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> , Sorry to hear that your experience on medication was a bit of a failure but glad to hear that this new approach you are doing has improved things a lot! I feel like a lot of us long for a day without medication and I am glad that you have found a safe way to do this. At the moment my enbrel is treating me well so I have no plans of getting off it but there might be a day that comes where that changes and I might try something along these lines. Do you find that you have to be really strict with your diet now? If you were to have a bit of a cheat day and not stick to this would it have a big impact on your body? Wishing you all the best, James (Community Member)
1. Nadine Cruz Member
 <inline-mention username="James Hollens" user-id="2386640"/> That’s great that enbrel is helping you it’s a blessing when you find a medication that actually helps. Im not really strict with my diet I’ve always been careful of what I put in my body even before diagnosis now I just research what food I can incorporate for my symptoms. I don’t do too bad if I have a cheat day because I still eat healthy there are so many good healthy snacks you can enjoy without an overload of sugar. If I do eat ice cream cause I love ice cream I eat a very small portion to get my fix lol! Hope your doing well 💙 Nadine (Team Member)
Nicky-Flikas-aks Moderator & Contributor
Hi my dear <inline-mention username="Nadine Cruz" user-id="4610320"/> , I loved this article. I can relate to so much. I been thinking a lot about stopping my biologics also. I been on so many different treatments and feel like they all give me side effects. That's no fun at all. I am right now on my 4th biologic and been feeling like it hasn't been helping much anymore. I know my rheumy explained we can try another one, but I am tired of going through if it will work or not. I think it's courageous on how you took the steps and trying it out with doing what is best for you and your body. Sometimes if we step back from everything we can see what really is helping us and not. I can relate so much with what you are feeling. How you describe you get pains with everything you do. Sending you warm hugs and cheering you on right here. You got this. Like you said we deserve only the best. We deserve to live a happy life. Nicky (Team member)
1. Nadine Cruz Member
 <inline-mention username="Nicky-Flikas" user-id="4559751"/> Im glad you enjoyed the article sometimes I get writers block so I figured I share my own journey being off of meds. It’s scary being off of meds my body def had to adjust at first. How are you doing? Wishing you well 💙 Nadine (Team Member)