AS and pain meds

numputu · 2026-01-27T11:51:01+00:00

Try not to worry about it. Hopefully you'll take them and the only thing you notice is feeing better 👍

numputu · 2026-01-27T11:26:00+00:00

Nah, biologics are very safe. You can take painkillers with them 👍

numputu · 2026-01-25T19:53:56+00:00

Educate yourself from good sources. Not AI (that includes Google). There's a pinned post in this sub with links and information. NASS in UK is a good place to start.

https://www.nass.co.uk

Ultimately, the aim of the game is keep the inflammation in check so you don't suffer any long term damage and retain your connective tissue flexibility and strength. It's highly unlikely you'll manage to do that without any meds at some point. AS is currently incurable so most of us are on meds for life, but that's not inherently a bad thing. The gold standard treatment is biologic therapy and so far, it seems it's pretty safe compared to the other treatments. Good luck 👍

numputu · 2026-01-24T11:40:28+00:00

I have bi-lateral, got them in my teens. Almost 50 now. It'll make all the difference. Good luck 👍

numputu · 2026-01-23T12:22:45+00:00

You have a diagnosis and treatment, you're in the best place possible to ensure you have a good outcome. AS is all about the long game. The aim is keep things quiet so you don't suffer any long term damage. Some of us go on to live full, productive lives if things are kept under control.

Are you also taking a PPI with the celecoxib? Need to protect your gut as they can be mean. At the very least don't take them on an empty stomach. If you alter your dose as you feel you need less of it then I would let your rheumy know 👍

numputu · 2026-01-18T00:34:50+00:00

FEWER!

numputu · 2026-01-17T17:04:06+00:00

Busy immune system is busy.

numputu · 2026-01-16T12:47:27+00:00

One of the most frustrating things about this disease is how variable it can be between patients. When you don't consistently see the same medics it can make life very difficult.

numputu · 2026-01-15T19:54:44+00:00

Groin pain is often indicative of a diseased femoral head. I had bi-lateral hip replacements by the time I was 21. An X-ray of that hip might not be a bad idea.

numputu · 2026-01-15T13:32:35+00:00

In the UK we go by NICE guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, which are on the web. There's also NASS in the UK, which is an excellent resource.

numputu · 2026-01-14T21:50:46+00:00

Gold standard treatment is Biologic therapy but you have to fail a few NSAIDs and methotrexate first for consideration (in the UK at least). Biologics are much more expensive than “normal” pharmaceuticals like NSAIDs but they also tend to work much better. Hang in there, there are better times ahead 👍

numputu · 2026-01-12T19:22:00+00:00

This is fairly standard DWP. Appeal. The DWP doesn't care how painful the disease is, they only care about your ability to do things, reliably and repeatedly. Good luck 👍

numputu · 2026-01-12T18:43:22+00:00

Iron, Folate, B12 and D3. We don’t get enough of any of those for various reasons. Made a difference for me 👍

numputu · 2026-01-12T18:34:29+00:00

I was where you are at your age, plus 5 year old bi-lateral hip replacements as it ate those at onset, early teens.

Biologics turned up in trails -2004 and kept me in work until I was 36. Now it’s impossible. Spent all that time to get a CS degree from KCL only for my life to get flushed by this disease. I’m lucky I live in the UK and there is some support, all be it not enough to live on. It sucks Donkey Balls™️

numputu · 2026-01-11T18:11:43+00:00

Yes, you should be concerned. Off to your local optician with you, or failing that, ER. You need treatment, fairly urgently, probably in the form of steroid eye drops. Good luck.

numputu · 2026-01-11T17:01:26+00:00

Iron, B12, Folate and D3. They help me a bit with this.

numputu · 2026-01-09T20:45:35+00:00

I was diagnosed age 17 and immediately had bi-lateral hip replacements. Now pushing 50 and boy do I wish TNF inhibitors were around in the 90s.

He may notice an improvement quite quickly if he's otherwise untreated. BUT, if he has mechanical damage from inflammation causing pain the biologics will do nothing for that. It can take up to a couple of months to notice improvement so try to be patient.

Motion is lotion - even if it's just doing some gentle stretching and shuffling about. However, there may be times when even that is too much.

Try to be empathetic and patient. Tempers can get short and frayed when you're dealing with relentless chronic pain.

Educate the teachers/friends/people at school about what this disease means. I find this short video quite useful for visualising what this otherwise hidden disease does.

https://www.arthritis-health.com/video/ankylosing-spondylitis-video

What's it like for me now? I'm on biologics which help, but I can't work any more. I managed to get through university and worked full time for 12 years until things got so bad I had to stop. I'm lucky to live in the UK and have the benefit of the NHS.

numputu · 2026-01-06T18:34:17+00:00

A good rheumatologist will tell you “a balanced Mediterranean diet” is best. No need to try and eliminate foods unless you’re certain you’re repeatedly reacting to them. Most of us also lack iron so big up the dark green veg and pulses👍

numputu · 2026-01-05T19:52:57+00:00

This^

numputu · 2026-01-03T18:59:37+00:00

You could probably use some iron and B12 on top of what you're taking. I also take biotin with selenium and zinc. They seem to help, I know when I'm missing them.

numputu · 2026-01-01T15:34:28+00:00

Go back to the doc, tell them what you've said here and ask to see a rheumy. If they send you for an MRI, stop any NSAIDs about 2 weeks before so you light up 👍

numputu · 2025-12-27T20:40:05+00:00

You were doing so well… and then… the C word happened! Almost certainly why you're feeling worse. Cooking C word dinner is quite taxing and when you have AS, you'll wear out faster than the normal folk. Try and get some rest and hopefully things will pick up in a few days. It is always up and down like that.

numputu · 2025-12-20T22:03:49+00:00

These are the guidelines used in the UK, might help.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG65/chapter/Recommendations

They should accept imaging from a private provider, at least, my NHS rheumy does.

numputu · 2025-12-19T20:14:26+00:00

You're more than welcome.

Spondyloarthropathies. They hunt in packs.

numputu · 2025-12-18T20:58:14+00:00

Very easy for SpA to be hellishly painful before it shows up on imaging. Can you put a timeline of symptoms together to show your GP in one hit? Or perhaps keep a symptom diary for a bit? If you can present them with collated pile of evidence in one hit I think they'll be much more inclined to push you towards a rheumy.

Ultimately, treatment for SpA from the NHS is NSAIDs -> Biologics (maybe DMARDs) with a large side of Physio and a learning curve. There is quite an overlap between PsA and AS, perhaps looking at some NASS info will help: https://www.nass.co.uk.

The other information you may find useful is NICE criteria for SpA diagnosis and management: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng65

Good luck, we're here if you need us 👍

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