Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Can i use Anti-TNF with tuberculosis past?

I tried NSAIDs and diet with no success. Right now ive no life at all just miserable painful seconds passing by with prayers and sadness.

I hate to think of Anti-TNF, since Ive had tuberculosis 20 years ago but i dont feel like i have much options left.

Im afraid that everything is going so unlucky since the start of disease, that it can go very bad again.

Any idea what are the odds of for me?

As far as an anti-TNF after tuberculosis, you'll have to talk to your doctor. Many may not even consider that as an option with that kind of history. If they do, you may have to sign waivers absolving them of any responsibility. Your insurance may also want to stop you from taking it. Have you tried any of the DMARDs (SSZ, Methotrexate)?

Just SSZ for 4 months before i tried diet. Didnt notice any good.

Yeah, SSZ didn't work for me also. If you can't get any relief from AS medication, you could start focusing on pain relief. When I'm having a bad episode, I get some relief with Flexeril at night. Good chairs, good posture, warm rooms, hot showers, stretching exercises all help to alleviate pain. There's other pain medications, such as Cymbalta, that could be beneficial. I think there's are pain specialists around. Some others on this site may have more useful info.

Might want to check out the Alternatives forum - LDN, low dose Naltrexone. A ton of information on LDN - which has been helpful for several KA members, including myselff. Takes care of the inflammation.

One way or the other, hope you can resolve and get relief soon. Take care -

I have also had TB and am being considered for anti-TNF therapy.

As long as you are clear of the bacteria on testing you're fine for anti TNF therapy. If you still come up positive, 6 months of antibiotics (rifampicin, isoniazid) will clear the infection and you can take it. The trials look very promising; but it is very important to be clear of TB prior to taking them.

Hope that helps,
Andy

Andy, what is your current situation regarding anti-tnf usage?
will u use antibiotics for 6 months?

I am about to be in this position. still hoping my TB test was a false positive, but cant bet on that. I have taken enbrel for 2 and half years till this hiccup. I was told that once you get clear of the tb germ, you can resume biologics. The amount improvement I got from enbrel is night and day. I now have to return to night, knowing how easy it is to get to day.

best of luck friend.
JaH