First time visitor Registered: 04/15/08 Posts: 1 Loc: Norcal |
I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (?) thirty years ago and have lived on 20mg of Piroxicam daily, since. In the past couple of years, I have needed an Epidural Injection to relieve the pain in my lower back and hips every three months. Over the years I have had flare-ups that lasted a few weeks that required max doses of Tylenol or other OTC pain meds then they would pass. About three months ago I started having a major flare-up involving my hips and thigh muscles and particularly my shoulders, my range of motion becomes minimal unless I stretch things out in a hot shower each morning. I have considerable discomfort in most of my other joints, particularly in the AM. It seems to me though that the pain involves more than just the joints, rather it spreads to the ligaments and muscles as well. Coincidentally, at almost the same time, two other things happened to me that may or may not be related. I developed an itchy skin rash that my Dermo can find no cause for and is considering an autoimmune issue. I also have undergone a regularity change from being like a clock every morning to - maybe every other day. My Rheumy is suggesting Humira and my Dermo is also considering an autoimmume suppressor. Does any of this ring any bells for anybody else? Should I expect Humira to help? |