BILOLOGICS TNF INHIBITORS

[Sambino78]

Hey fellow pain sufferers. So I was diagnosed with Spondyloarthitis/ Psoriatic arthritis on Monday. When discussing treatment options I asked about Biologic treatments as NSAIDs have never really worked for me. The rhuematologist told me that I am not eligible for them as my MRI did not show inflammation in the spine...not having axial SpA basically that they can currently prove. Is that right though? Has anyone had Biologics treatment for spondyloarthitis conditions that was not Ankylosing or Axial SpA. Thanks.

[cyberbarn]

Hello again Sambino, I think your question is a good one, and shows the disconnect with what the NHS website says about biologics and other treatments and what people are getting told by their rheumatologists.

It makes sense that if someone has an autoimmune condition, rather than put a sticking plaster on it, eg handing out painkillers only, they should address the underlying condition that is causing the systems, rather than just treating the symptoms. But it seems they don't think that way.

I too had my rheumatology appointment and she still won't let me have the HLA B27 that the physio asked for. This time she said it is because 5% of people test positive when they don't have anything wrong with them and I didn't have any inflammation in my SI joints on the MRI

Clearly some doctors have a very vague understanding of statistics, sensitivity and specificity, and numbers in general.

She did say I have 'possible mild psoriatic arthritis' but also contradicted the physio who had done the FABER test and said I had osteoarthritis. She bent my leg out a bit and said I had good range of movement so I couldn't have OA. I keep telling her I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and for me my range of movement is a lot worse than it used to be, but hey, why listen to the patient!

I was offered etoricoxib to try and told in the letter that if I found the naproxen more effective then I could continue with that. I don't take naproxen. It actually states on my summary care record that I am sensitive to it!

I think rheumatology in the UK needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century!

Sorry, no help from me, just empathy!