Currently on celebrex/acupuncture
Hello! I am 35 and was diagnosed in 2013 with AS and already had bone errosions. I had been doing great until about 2 years ago my symptoms became more frequent. I started acupuncture last fall and felt amazing! I had a flare up in December for roughly a week and just recently for a couple weeks. I am thinking the latest flare up was from a very deep tissue massage. I am on celebrex and have taken 32 pills (200 mg) since October 1. I thought I had been doing great.... this recent set back was of course very depressing. My rheumatologist now wants to see me in Sept and get more x-rays to check for progression and also check inflammation levels. If things are worsened they want me to go on humaira. I had thought this would happen when celebrex no longer helps me. Celebrex typically does help me (not always) I just wanted to see if I could get someone's opinion. Everytime I go to my rheumatologist apt it seems like they really push humaira. Thank you!!
I have taken several biologics with no Ill effects except developing antibodies and having to switch to a new one. Currently on Enbrel. Along with that I take Celebrex. At times I thought it does not work, but then I try to stop and clearly it does for me! On another note I did an acupuncture session last night and it really relieved my Achilles’ tendon pain. Wow I am so happy it helped you that much!!! The main reason I am questioning starting it is I don't feel like I am that bad yet. And celebrex seems to be helping. Actually accupuncture has seemed to give me my life back!! To where I typically take very little celebrex. Sometimes I feel like the only thing my rheumatologist cares about is me being on that. I just thought when and if these two things don't work anymore that would be time for humaira. Do you think that is the right thinking??
That is great it has worked for you!! What were your symptoms like before you started the remiciade??
I pretty much stopped being able to walk or sit or lay. My body was just ravaged with pain and getting worse. I still recall being released from that prison. In the 20 years after I have had some rough days. Days things have not gone perfectly. Days that I wish I did not have to endure. But i never once thought i had made a bad decision. I was rapidly on my way to no longer walking , working, or being who I was. .
We are volunteers here so we never dispense medical advice or opinions. I can say that starting a biologic medication improved my life many times over. Celebrex is an NSAID, whereas Humria is designed to treat the underlying issues and prevent further joint damage.
I have used biologic medications for over 20 years and have never once regretted that decision. I hope your decision works out for you as well. If you consult with your rheumatologist I am certain it will.
rick - Moderatorthank you!! When you decided to go on humaira how were you feeling at that point? Were nsaids no longer working?
I have not used Humaira. I started on Remiciade and have used several over the years but not Humaira. I used methotrexate and Relafin (now discontinued, but is now a generic ). When i stopped using that combination I was no longer getting anywhere near the impact as I did with Remiciade.
In fact, I recall the first time Remiciade really worked, I danced around the house singing I am free. (Rock Opera Tommy, hey i m an old guy).
rick
