Hi Rockharrier,
Thanks for this post.
Briefly; at age 27 I started getting neck spasms that were out of control. I actually went to a rheumatologist on my GPs advice, and found the cervical portion of my spine had straightened (1/2 inch taller now). No one told me this might be something else, I was given muscle relaxers and sent home. So the neck thing continued on for about ten years, with me thinking I had to learn how to relax and popping whatever I could get. I had no heads up (ha ha) there was something else going on. Then 5 years of no pain. Then the rest of the back kicked in. But I was very very active, and always assumed I earned my stiff sore body, it showed I was working it. My parents are always sore. My 65 year old Mom still plays power volleyball twice a week, bikes 8 miles a day, and is a ninja gardener. (she's also in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame) and my Dad keeps up. So I just didn't think the pain was abnormal. When my SI joint kicked in this year, I finally went to a new rheumy (I'm 45 now). Well crap.
I'm on Sulfasalazine and in only three weeks felt better enough for me. No morning stiffness and pain localized to SI (still) and, oddly, hallux rigidus (big toe joint). NSD helped for sure. I thought it was great, I'm kind of freaked out by side effects of more powerful meds.
After six months my Rheumy suggested an MRI to see if we were getting the inflammation but said "There is no reason to get the MRI if you aren't mentally down with going on a biologic, if that's what the results warrant" and if she had it her way, I'd have been on them when we first met.
So I'm going to Mexico for 7 days to read (really) and one of the books I'm bringing is Arthritis Without Pain; The Miracle of TNF Blockers to see if it's hard sell or makes sense.
So I'd really like to keep in touch and see what you decide.
Thank you Mig, Kat, and Gerard, for your experience and advice on this stuff. I justify the hours I am silly online with the rational advice I get from y'all
cc
