Ankylosing Spondylitis Q & A

I’d like to know if “ankylosing spondylitis” has any relationship with injury’s, or trauma? Despite numerous tests(bloodwork)….all were negative. It was a bone scan that revealed this inflammation in my SI joint. I suffered a fall in the course of my employment, twisting & compressing my left leg into my pelvis. My SI joint has been inflammed ever since and I’m told I have this disease, which, as far as I know….doesn’t run in the family. 20 years later…..x-rays indicate it has progressed. Can this diagnosis be accurate?

I read some time back about some promising research being undertaken where a single injection would effectively re-educate the auto-immune system and thus be helpful for inflamatory athritic deseases. Have you heard of this and what is the progress of the research. I have AS and something like this would be tremendous news. I am currently on Enbrel which is very effective, but I am also concerned that there is a possibility that at some stage Enbrel will stop working effectively, hence I’m hoping that there will be alternative approaches. Your advice is always appreciated.

I have spondyloarthritis and need the latest treatment recommendtions. At the present time, the pain is in the left neck and 24 hour headaches.

I have had As for 6 years and recently have been in terrible pain after a car accident jerked my neck and back which has aggravated condition further. I have asked about anti- tnf medication after reading reports of remarkable results in AS. My rheumatologist has only ever given me nsaids because he said other drugs do not work on the spine. Anti-tnf seems to work on spine! However I have now been offered pamidronate infusions do you have any feedback from anyone who has tried this medication, and if it was effective! They have told me it is run into vein for one hour but the info I have says it should be given slowly over 4-6 hours. I would appreciate any advice you can give as I have first infusion wed 23rd june. From my research anti- tnf sound more effective – but I am prepared to give this a try as long as it is appropriate!

I have been recommended for the above drug and would like to know if it has recorded any side effects with the patients that have been prescribed this course of medication. Also are there any percentage charts showing before and after results on the patients ( not to include placebo results). Also,is the course of treatment over a stated period and not continued.

I have been using Enbrel for 8 months for Anklyosing Spondylitis with very good results. However, during this time, my wife has had a significant increase in vaginal yeast infections following intercourse. I also will develop small rough patches on my penis. She only had one such infection in her lifetime prior to this and feels it may be related to the Enbrel and/or times when I have “flare ups” from my condition. Has this ever been reported by anyone before? We thought it possible that the immunosuppressive actions could cause changes in the acid/Ph balance and making us more suseptible to yeast infections.