DOES ANYONE ELSE'S DH HAVE AS?

[toria77]

just wondered if there was anyone else out there who's dh has ankylosing spondylitis and how it affects him and your relationship, .....?

[toomanypushchairs]

my dh was given information on this from our gp. I didn't actual get aroung to reading it as he was quickly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. is it the same sort of illness?

[mancmum]

there is someone who has been posting about AS recently.. not sure who it is.. but they are a regular poster... sorry to be no help... butthis might bump it up

[Twiglett]

did you call? that'll be me I assume

hello toria have you just had a diagnosis through? how are you coping?

[Twiglett]

DH diagnosis is Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondilitis btw

[toria77]

wow didn't expect a response! we have known since he was 18 - now 26, he really suffers but other people just think it is a 'bad back' ( colitis is an associated condition toomany) are u in same situation twiglett? I am also worried for ds as apparently there is 50% cahnce the gene will be passed on to him

[toria77]

sorro twiglett didnt read 2nd post, my dh has arthritis , bone density problems as well. how lod is your dh?

[toria77]

(sorry)

[toria77]

(old)

[Twiglett]

No No No .. Do NOT worry about DS

the genetic marker (HLA B27) is not a causative gene it is a diagnostic tool ... so that if someone presents with certain symptoms and they have this genetic marker it is a potential diagnosis BUT having the gene does not mean your child will develop AS

It actually works out that our kids have a 5% chance of developing AS (that really is nothing to worry about) and as the most annoying thing about the disease is NOT KNOWING how it will affect you from one week to the next even IF (BIG IF) they do develop AS they might get it so mild it just niggles

is your DH on any medication (he was diagnosed very early)

[toria77]

really? that is so reassurring about ds dh is on anti-inflams but he trys to take them as little as poss as they affect his stomach a bit. he is on calcium tablets too.

[Twiglett]

DH diagnosed at 27 .. he is now 35, we have had a few bad years but his latest medication seems to be working for him (the trial and error is the worst) and he has a new zest for life

have you discovered kickas.org yet???

[Twiglett]

which anti-inflam (if I may ask?)

[toria77]

no - will look at that site- what meds have worked for your dh? how is he affected day to day ? how much fusion does he have ( if u don't mind me asking!!)

[toria77]

CELEBREX

[Twiglett]

don't mind at all

virtually all his joints are affected (thanks to the psoriatic arthritis which starts from outer joints inwards). his neck is partially fused, back quite stiff, he has one deformed finger and a badly affected toe. He has an undercurrent of the constant pain of arthritis but currently medicated well .. currently on DMARD methotrexate (& folic acid) and NSAID- celebrex

[Twiglett]

how is he affected? I assume the celebrex is working for him (although are his stomach problems connected with it?)

[toria77]

what does the methotreoxate do? your dh sounds in a similar situation to mine 9 although my dh does not have as much restriction to toes or fingers but has fusion in back, neck and lungs)

[toria77]

his main problem is the constant pain and stiffness and sharp pains that make his legs give way sometims0 working does not help- after each day he needs to lie out all evening , does your dh work?

[toria77]

sorry- typing with one hand - hence sp mistakes (ds in arm!!)

[toria77]

the celebrex takes the edge off the pain if it is too bad

[Twiglett]

kickas page on methotrexate its a disease modifier (low dosage chemo drug) designed to slow the progress of the disease

Yes luckily DH still works .. in fact he's a stubborn bloke so probably has the best attendance of anyone at his company .. will never take a day off .. he also cycles to and from work (8 miles each way) which is the only exercise he can still do

have you tried starch-free diet .. it is really tough but many have experienced lots of positive benefits including going into remission (there's a forum on kickas)

[toria77]

the one great thing he does is a 2 week physio course every year- that is great for his moral and to keep him monitored

[Twiglett]

I believe it is a very bad idea to only take the celebrex when it feels like its needed .. I though the anti-inflammatories need to be taken regularly to have effect

will go check with DH hang on a tic

[toria77]

no have not tried that- will have to have a really good read of that site and get dh looking on there

[Twiglett]

DH says the celebrex 'builds up' so should be taken regularly for maximum effect, some people who are mildly affected can take it sporadically but doesn't sound like your DH is one of those

re: starch-free diet .. it is really really difficult, we had to keep iodine in the kitchen to test everything and read labels very carefully .. but have a read on kickas it will tell you more (we gave up after a couple of years as DH just looked ill, lost too much weight)