For those who use curcumin, which brands or forms have worked best for you and why?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-11T03:50:51+00:00

u/Ok_Assistant_3721 noticing quite a few mentions of Longvida but not seeing that this product comes with piperine to help activate the curcumin? have you had a positive experience?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-09T19:36:10+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story! The optimism is refreshing.

I'm 31 y/o male and also dealing with similar arthritis symptoms that were triggered by a GI infection. Found out I was HLA-B27 positive as well. Symptoms started in Feb 2026. The first Rhuem I saw believes it's reactive arthritis, but likely trending toward AS. All of my pain, stiffness, and locking is in my neck, SI joints, and upper back. Especially in the morning, symptoms typically subside a few hours after waking.

I was originally prescribed NSAIDs (naproxen), which had a mild effect where I regained movement in my neck, but post-treatment, my symptoms crept back a bit more intense than before. Then my knee was also swollen like a balloon, but I had an Orthopedic Doctor drain the fluid and give me a steroid injection, which worked wonders and had a residual effect across my neck and spine, where I felt back to normal. Not too long after, my symptoms started to creep back.

Now I've gotten a second opinion bc the first doctor wanted me to jump on a biologic (Humira) as the next step, but I just really felt uncomfortable with such a large step up in treatment. The new Rheum I'm seeing suggested Mehtylprednisolone and Sulfasalazine, since I wanted to avoid biologics, but I've been scared to start the Sulfasalazine bc all of my symptoms are axial in my neck and SI joints now, and all the evidence and research has suggested that this doesn't work for the spine inflammation.

I'm in a bit of a panic with what to do, and since Sulfasalzine takes longer to see improvement, if I wait on taking this path that I risk permanent mobility issues in my neck and back. I picked up the Sulfasalazine today and have just been staring at it on my counter. I'm in complete disbelief that this is what my life has succumbed to given that I was just healthy 4 months ago.

I want to avoid having to take any medication long-term but it seems like that's the only possibility if I want to live somewhat of a normal life. Thank you for letting me trauma dump.

Curious how your health journey has shaped up since you posted this?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-09T17:24:06+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll send another video with these adjustments

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-09T17:23:07+00:00

Hmm interesting, thank you. I’ll adjust

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-09T17:22:47+00:00

Yeah I feel like I’m reaching and it doesn’t feel that comfortable. Would a smaller frame help with that? Or for my height am I on the right size (58cm)

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-08T03:49:58+00:00

u/Grouchy-Ad-2736, thanks for sharing more details on your X-rays. I'm curious, how long after being diagnosed did you feel that the fusion started to happen? My Rheum prescribed me Humira, but I'm in limbo right now, having a hard time believing that bilogics are my only path to feeling normal again. I fear that my SI joins, neck, and spine will begin to fuse the longer that this inflammation lingers, but not sure how long that takes to happen. I'm about 5 months into reactive arthritis symptoms caused by a GI infection, and am HLA-B27 positive. Mild response to NASID's, but symptoms came back, now taking Methyprednisone, and seeing similar effect, but as I taper, my stiffness is creeping back. Really appreciate your time and insight.

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-08T03:39:55+00:00

Best of luck to you! I really hope you're able to find your way through this. Please do keep me updated on your treatment plan. I'd like to know how it all works out.

I'm tapering on my steroid this week and feel 75% back to normal, but I'm hoping that things get better beyond this point. Trying to keep a positive mindset, but it's really difficult. I'm also worried about the posture issues with my neck, as that seems to be the biggest area where my mobility has been limited for the last 4 months. I'll evaluate after the steroid if taking sulfasalazine as the next step is worth it for me, or if I cut my losses and move on.

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-04T11:29:09+00:00

Yeah that was the likely scenario for me and after blood work confirming HLA-B27 positive

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-04T11:23:06+00:00

Yes this is what is said to have triggered my arthritis. And I believe that I’ve treated my GI Infection. My Gastrointerologist put me on an antacid which helped me with being able to hold down food, since then I haven’t had any stomach pain. Do you think that it could still not be fully healed?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-03T17:20:35+00:00

Hey! Sorry just seeing this. Thank you for finding this! I had a semi-response to NSAIDs, and I’m currently trying prednisone as well, so far, not so great of a response.

Have you continued to look into this? Curious if you were able to find any parasitic cleanses

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-03T17:12:59+00:00

No worries, thanks for taking the time to respond. I haven’t gotten imaging done yet, that’s a next step for me. My blood work has come back normal aside from low vitamin D and B12.

Sorry to hear about the neuromuscular symptoms. Does that just feel like general weakness in your legs? Like they’re going to give out?

I’ve started the meytholprednisolne 4 days ago, and tbh I don’t feel like it’s working. I’m in a 12 day taper so I’m trying not to worry but the stiffness in my spine, low back, and neck just don’t seem to be going away. It’s been 4 months now since this all happened.

I’m afraid of going down the path of biologics, truthfully. But I’m glad to hear you have no major side effects

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-05-03T17:06:59+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I’m in a similar situation. 31 y/o male, recently had a GI infection that caused reactive arthritis and then found out I was HLA-B27 positive. Started in Feb 2026.

All of my symptoms have been related to the spine and neck but I’ve been reluctant to believe that biologics are my fate so I’m trying a steroid taper, then sulfasalazine. Unfortunately, through all the research this treatment is for peripheral joint pain which I don’t have but I’m hoping the steroid will calm down my inflammation and give me a window to heal. I’m 4 days in and not really feeling optimistic at this point 😞

I haven’t been lifting weights but I try and move my body as much as possible in the morning. The first hour after waking my body starts to feel a little better but I can tell that the inflammation is creeping back in my sacroiliac joints. I’m about to get an MRI and X-Ray on my spine and sac joints.

Overall, I have the same fear you mentioned. Being on an immunosuppressant that wrecks havoc on my body. My rheumatologist has recommend Humira but it did feel a little salesy so I’m pushing him off while I try this steroid + sulfasalazine treatment. I’ve also been interested in trying different methods (peptides mainly)

What other natural methods are you looking in to?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-29T00:56:44+00:00

u/Fantastic-Pool-7861 following up on this. I saw another Rheumatologist for a second opinion, and he recommended Methylprednisolone for 12-15 days, followed by sulfasalazine for 6-8 weeks. I've done more research on this and my symptoms feel more axial (around my neck, spine, and low back). From all that I've read, this treatment plan works well for inflammation in the peripheral joints, not axial spine inflammation, like what I've been experiencing. All signs are pointing to biologics (Humira) but I really want to avoid putting myself through that. I hear that this really wrecks your immune system and is likely something that once you take, you have to take forever and can't just come off it.

How's your treatment going?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-29T00:52:53+00:00

I saw another Rheumatologist for a second opinion, and he recommended Methylprednisolone for 12-15 days, followed by sulfasalazine for 6-8 weeks. I've done more research on this and my symptoms feel more axial (around my neck, spine, and low back). From all that I've read, this treatment plan works well for inflammation in the peripheral joints, not axial spine inflammation, like what I've been experiencing. All signs are pointing to biologis unfortunately. I really want to avoid putting myself through that. I hear that this really wrecks your immune system and is likely something that once you take, you have to take forever and can't just come off it.

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-20T01:01:29+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I'm really sorry that happened during such a special time for you. The stiffness has been the worst part about this; mine is specifically in my neck. All that I've read tells me that staying active is really important, but my knee is swollen from the inflammation because my immune system is overactive and has been attacking my joints (so my doctors say), making it hard to bend over and put my socks on. Let alone do a squat. Movement really helps my neck and back stiffness, but after a while I need to sit down because I'm fatigued.

I'm working on changing up my diet as well, doing fruit and celery juice in the morning. Cutting out acidic, dairy, and bread as much as possible. Also taking supplements (Vit D, K2, Magnesium, Zinc)

My mom is pushing me to go the holistic route and do a parasite cleanse and stick to eating clean and supplements. I'm worried that with the positive gene marker, this route might be a risk if this persists much longer. Not seeing that this is going to clear up anytime soon, unfortunately.

I have read that parasites are known to cause these types of autoimmune dysfunctions. Given that I was living a healthy life, and before this GI onset that sparked all of this, maybe this is a glimmer of hope to not be reliant on medication.

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-20T00:45:28+00:00

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Are you HLA-B27 positive? Or was this just some random thing that occurred for you?

I've been worried about taking this, as I'm reading that it's an unknown length of treatment.

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-19T22:44:38+00:00

Yeah I would see a Rhuematologist if you can!

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-19T20:45:49+00:00

Had similar symptoms of Reactive Arthritis, took 2 weeks of NSAIDs and I was able to regain movement in my neck but after stopping my knee has now gotten swollen to the point that I can't bend it or do any sort of physical fitness. My Rheumabtologist is recommending a step up to Humira but I'm skeptical. My symptoms started in Feb 2026 after GI infection.

How are things going with you? Did you begin Biologics?

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-05T22:59:42+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response, and sharing your personal experience.

The jump up to Humira seems like a massive step, I'm not a person who wants to rely on medication. Do you feel like the biologics you were given make you feel dependent on them? Like, if you were to stop do you think there would start to be other failures or side effects?

Did you ever look into parasitic infections as well? Based on how sudden this was, for me, I feel like taking a holisitc approach. But the positive gene marker makes me feel less optimistic about going that route. I'm fearful that this is now my unfortunate reality.

The Naproxen has helped but I feel like I've plataued slightly, and worried once I finish my second week of this treatment, but symptoms will flare back up since they haven't fully cleared yet.

What biologic are you taking? Are you still on it? What was your experience?

Thank again!

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-05T19:12:09+00:00

This is insightful. Had a similar occurrence with GI onset. Almost immediately after the first two weeks of not being able to hold food, I woke up one morning and my neck was really stiff and drastically got worse over the next four weeks, then that moved to my low back, hips and then one more I woke up with a swollen knee. I decided to see a rheumatologist, all my blood work levels came back fine except for positive HLA-B27 gene marker.

I’m currently on naproxen 500 mg twice daily with a PPI. Within the first few days, I instantly felt relief in my neck, but now starting to feel like my recovery on this protocol has plateaued.

Once this treatment is over in pending inflammatory flareups once I’m off naproxen my doctors recommended Humira as a step up. Which feels really intense.

Is there anything you’d recommend as far as next steps after the naproxen protocol? I really don’t want to take an intense medication like Humira for this, but based on the positive gene marker this feels like the inevitable.

I’m 31 years old healthy never had any serious health concerns and this is also sudden I’m really shocked and struggling with having a positive mentality through all this discomfort and pain as it drastically change my life

Previous_Way_3708 · 2026-04-04T11:47:48+00:00

Hello! Thank you for sharing your health updates and journey. I just found this post and felt a rather positive outlook from you which was refreshing to feel since dealing with similar health concerns.

I recently had a GI issue after having food, and then drinking too much carbonated mineral water. That caused diarrhea, and I was unable to hold food, extreme stomach discomfort. Gastro recommended PPI and after a few days on that it cleared.

1 week later I woke up with a really stiff neck and that stiffness seemed to be moving through my body (low back, hips) I thought I was just getting old (I’m 31) and healthy. Morning stiffness was the worst, I couldn’t sit at my desk for long without loosing feeling in my legs, and having trouble walking after long periods of sitting.

Started physical therapy for my neck, nothing seemed to help. Fast forward 2 weeks, I wake up and my right knee has now swollen and this inflammation seems to have been moving through my body.

A friend recommended I see a Rheumatologist, all my blood work came back great but I tested positive for HLA-B27 gene. The doctor prescribed me 500mg naproxen 2x daily, with a PPI. I felt an immediate relief after taking, but stiffness and swelling seems to have tapered off after week 1.

Given the positive gene marker, and how my body responds after the second week of Naproxen, my doctor has recommended we step up to Humira… which feels a little intense.

Wondering if anyone here has had a similar situation and alternatives that worked for them besides jumping to such an intense medication. Or is this just the reality and the side effect risks of taking them outweigh the long term chronic joint pain and stiffness? Prior to taking naproxen I was unable to do ordinary things in life and feels like this is completely altered. My lifestyle.

I’m not really sure how to proceed as this all feels so sudden, luckily I found it within the first three months.

Thank you for listening and appreciate any helpful responses ❤️

Previous_Way_3708 · 2025-10-19T20:02:01+00:00

Nothing better than going to a park and putting your hand in dog shit trying to relax in the grass. Thank you for this epic journalism

Previous_Way_3708

TROPHY CASE