@A MySpondylitisTeam Member. @A MySpondylitisTeam Member. Rheumatologists want to give patients hope. They cant prescribe opiates anymore and steroids taken longer than a couple weeks more often than once a year have a long list of dreadful side affects. The idea of biologics is good, they target one specific or just a couple of cytokines as opposed to your entire immune system the way traditional DMARDS (baseline low level chemotherapy) does. However, the body can produce hundreds of different cytokines in response to stress, physical as well as emotional stress. How do the drs know which cytokine(s) are responsible for your inflammation pain? The insurance industry mandates their approval of which biologics will be approved based on cost vs actual need. There is no way to determine which biologic is needed by any one patient without a blood panel cytokine assay and that is not an easy or inexpensive type of test to administer. It requires special handling and is typically only done at teaching or highly specialized medical universities/facilities such as Mayo etc. Insurers dont cover that cost which us typically over $1000US. Therefore, biologics dont work for most patients or only work for a limited time because the cytokine (TNF-a for Humira, IL-17 for Cosentyx, etc) targeted may not be present at all or may change to a different one by your body. You are an unwitting extension of the biologics community of experiments. Look up how Humira is manufactured and decide for yourself if you're willing to inject something that is genetically engineered with CHOs (Chinese Hamster Ovaries) as with many biologics. I tried 5 before i learned this and they nearly destroyed my liver, kidneys and blood cell production.😳 Before i ever take a biologic again i will get a cytokine panel even if i have to pay for it myself. Ive been off biologics over a year now. Instead i take a few antioxidant supplements that target the same cytokines most biologics target according to oublished studies at the National Institute of Health. I feel better now with less pain (while on my supplements, i have to quit them for surgical procedures) than at any time when i used to play the biologics merry-go-round. You're smart to start researching. Research at NIH.gov, European Medicines Agency and Ayurveda Medicine, Cleveland Clinic and Science Direct are also good sources of info. Best of luck to you both🙏😌

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I'm on cosentyx year 3 it helps but any joint damage already done is done. So no biologic will prevent existing pain, but can help mitigate future pain. I highly recommend cosentyx or trying another biologic if your rheumatoid ologist thinks it's more appropriate. I used to have ribcage pain couldn't take a full breath its gone now.

Hello Trent, yes - the SI joint gives me the most trouble out of everything. I have minimal back issues. May I ask if you're on any biologics? I've read that Humira doesn't do much to help with SI joint pain for most people. With SI joint pain being my biggest complaint...not sure if I want to make the leap to Humira.
Thank you for your response!

@A MySpondylitisTeam Member. Stem cell therapy through BMAC actually is covered by many insurers. Humana covers it. That's my insurance underwriter. I'm pretty sure the reasons it did not work for me on my neck is because I used topical steroid applications on my neck injections sites for itching, had bilateral steroid injections in my hips the following week and took low dose prednisone for a trip just 4 weeks after. I didn't know at the time that anti-inflammatories, especially steroids, negate the process. Acetaminophen with codeine (hydrocodone etc) can be taken as can muscle relaxers. Thank goodness for that. Adipose fat sourced SCs is quite painful.
The stem cell procedure of harvesting adipose fat is not covered and does have to paid out of pocket. I had that done yesterday. It's a lot more painful post op than taking bone marrow was. Holy moly people going for liposuction are in for an unpleasant surprise. That's how they harvest those SCs.
You might want to check with your insurer Rick. It's worth a try. I called mine and they said they'd much rather pay out on SC therapy than the 10 times and more expensive traditional surgery. Kindest regards😌🙏

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Very well written, plus always remember what what works for one may not for you or others. After researching biologics I've decided to stay far away from them. The side effects alone should tell many - NO. Sounds like @A MySpondylitisTeam Member has done do diligence in research. Unfortunately 99% of medications do not like me, the side effects mess with me bad, and don't ware off over time for me. So it's been a long road to get here. But I still look it in the eye's and I do not give up or back down, However I may take a nap several afternoons a week to take weight & pressure off lwr spine. I just take it one step at a time. Research never stops, exercise when I can, I seldom eat deep fried foods(darn it) & take my meds on time 80% of the time(alarms on my phone remind me) after 15 years of battle I've come to the conclusion that the system wants us this way. After over 20 years, stem cell surgery/ therapy is still considered experimental so health ins won't cover it. It's costly when you must pay cash. A friend who is well off ( I'm dirt poor) had SC on both knee's, he's 71, he said his knee's feel 35, he can actually run again. Cost was 20k, 10k each knee. But, it is te same with SC (Stem Cell Therapy) because it works on one, doesn't mean it will on you/me. It's a long process AS, DDD, Fibromyalgia is, also I have Arthritis, neuropathy in both legs, and inherited high Chloresteral disease and high blood pressure. I've been at this since late 80s.

Best of luck to you's!

Rick

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