Hello Jeanna and Glen:

Last August my Rheumie and I decided to step up my treatments. We decided to go with Remicade. I have had AS pain since age 19. I was diagnosed three years ago with AS at age 45. My back is conjoined, but so far it has left my neck alone, and I am upright. BlueCross turned us down 4 times and then agreed to a six month trial. I believe my rhemuie described my disease as reactive arthritis.

I noticed improvement in pain, stiffness and energy level almost immediately. After my third treatment I felt like I had no arthritis at all. My SI joints quit screaming at me for the first time in 20 years. It seemed the only pain I had was from the structural problems, i.e. my conjoined back and screwed up hips. Also, my pan-uveitis calmed down. My allergies disappeared and sinuses throughout my entire head have opened up.

The most amazing thing is my energy level. I actually feel like playing sports again. Before the remicade I had no energy at all, and could fall asleep at any time. I could never make it through a movie witout falling asleep and snoring. I thought I would get fired from my job because my prductivity was slipping.

In January my liver enzymes elevated. I believe this was due to Vioxx and I have described the problem in a post under the Vioxx thread. As a precaution, I went an extra six weeks between Remicade treatments. The SI joints never got all the way back to full-on nasty, but everything else went back to pre-Remicade form. I had a treatment two days ago and I am getting substantial relief. I do not think I will feel as good as after my December treatment,however, having simply lost too much ground during the delay.

My suggestion is to get on Remicade or Enbrel. I hear there is another one coming. Not Amgen's Kinaret, but something now in testing that is 100% human. (No offense to Mickey, but I would prefer to stay within my species.) I know I cannot turn back the clock and have a normal spine. I believe we should all do everthing we can to prevent structural damage.

Finally, before Remicade, no way could I get through the day without my 25 - 50 mg Vioxx. Now, I can manage. I do not want to go back to Vioxx because of liver and stomache issues. I am looking at MOBIC and the new one from the CELEBREX people that does not have the SULFA issues.

Regarding insurance, do not take no for an answer! If repeatedly you are refused, go to your attorney and have him or her send a letter alleging "Bad Faith Failure To Insure". These medicines are effective and we deserve them!!!

Good Luck.

Fred