Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Drug free for a while now

It's been around a month now since my doc had me stop my azulfidine and I gotta say that I'm feeling pretty darned good. A big improvement is my ability to think and memorize. I just had no idea how much I was fogged up.

I wish I knew what was going on, before I began medication back in 98-99 I was so miserable I started thinking I would be on disability before much longer (didn't have a diagnosis yet) and now other than a little pain from time to time it seems to be gone. Does this thing go into remission? Anyone ever experience it?

I don't want to jynx(sp?) it by saying remission but.......I'd like to know what ya'll think.

Thanks,
Don

Remission or calm before the storm...whatever. Remember that ol' gift horse and enjoy it while it lasts...forever, I hope:)

Pete



"Maybe the problems of two people don't amount to a hill of beans. But this is our hill. And these are our beans!"
- Lt. Frank Drebin

Hi Don

My son Eric has been in remission twice now. The first time for 11 months, and this time since June. Enbrel does the trick for him.....Heres hoping for the best to ya!

Lori

Thanks Guys,

I like to think I have some control through diet but for the most part it's like walking on thin ice, ya just don't know when or if it's going to break thru and leave you a total mess.

Ya'll have a gr8 weekend!

HI,
I want to try and make this as short as possible. I am 70 years old. diagnosed at age 52. AS actually started at age 23. The only thing I have ever taken is 1,000 mg of asprin a day in the early stages during fusing. I have taken Ketaprofen for about 5 years. This year all I have taken is Aleve. So far two a day until this month since it turned cold I sometimes need four. Not for pain I am pain free. I take it for stiffness.
Am I in remission? I don't know, but I don't concentrate on the disease I try to exercise three times a week, treadmill, bike and weights. And lots of prayer.
And I have said it before. A GOOD POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

God Bless
Doreen

Doreen,

I am really happy for you! Sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for.

I take one viox per day for the residual pain associated with the stiffness etc.

Sassy, I wish your boy well. Sounds like he's quite a fighter!

I don't know if it is what is helping or not but I try and keep a good attitude and also don't give this deamon a chance to control me. I keep my mind and body active constantly, or I should say, my kids keep me hopin, eat like a horse, sleep like one as well. I may have it all wrong and backwards but so far it's working for me.

Thanks for the replies all

Don

I'm so happy for you, nice to hear good news here for a change. Yes, there are remissions, the first 20 years of AS I had flares and remissions, so enjoy it! Who knows, maybe it will be permanent. Unfortunately my AS came back with a vengeance a few years ago, no remissions, just acceleration of the process. Now I'm back in remission, not exactly drug free but pain free and no need for pain killers. Like Sassy's Eric, it took a little help from one of the new disease modifiers, Arava, but it's become my lifeline, feel so good I have to remember to take that teensy little pill every morning.

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with

Hi Don

Eric is a hell of a kid. I dont know if I could go through all he goes through and keep a good attitude about it.....most of the time.

His motto is..."I will beat it, it will not beat me" or as he told me when he was diagnosed with Crohns recently....."It will only make me stronger mom".

Good luck with your continued remission. I found if something works, dont mess with it......

Happy holidays
Lori

Hi Don,

One thing that I have learned from AS is to take and cherish good things when I get them. Whether it is submission or a good time, don't take it for granted.

BTW, what is the medicine that you stopped. I don't recognise it. I take Indocin right now, and am in a bad trap with that. It worke well, too well, on my pain. So well in fact that when I don't take it for a day it triggers a huge flare. The drawback is that it wrecks havoc on my memory, short and long term. I haven't been able to find a replacement for it that works even half as good. I am just wondering if what you were taking might be a-kin to it. Is it an NSAID? Did they suspect that it was causing your memory problems? Did you or your doc take you off?

I hope that this finds you well,

Take care my friend,

Daniel

http://www.Power-Over-Pain.org
"NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD" Margaret Mead

Hi Daniel - I had to quit taking indocin because it was giving me major headaches. Of course when I had a headache my head was fuzzier than usual....(my kids would laugh at that ). So now I don't take any NSAIDs, I figured they were all contributing to my headaches in some way. I do take an herbal anti-inflammatory and of course try to watch what I eat...