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| Part of the nr-axSpA Doctor Visit Checklist series |
| Starting Medication |
|
Chapter 1........2........3........4........5
These interactive videos let you quickly find the answer to each question. Simply click on the key moments button at the top of the video, then click the question to jump directly to the answer.
Key Moments in This Video:
Your doctor may start you off with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin and celecoxib. But if those don’t bring relief, letting your doctor know is critical — the longer it takes to find an effective treatment for your specific diagnosis, the likelier you are to develop joint damage and disability. Your doctor may recommend a newer type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) called biologics, which suppress specific aspects of the immune system responsible for nr-axSpA.
Watch this video featuring commonly asked questions about nr-axSpA treatment for questions you might ask your own doctor about starting medications for nr-axSpA. From there, check out other videos in this series on topics like how to navigate biologic therapy and potential side effects, ways to stick with your treatment, and what lifestyle changes you can adopt to manage your condition.
Have more questions? See if they’re among the top three questions rheumatologist Dr. Siddharth Tambar gets about nr-axSpA.
On MySpondylitisTeam — the social network for people with spondylitis and their loved ones — members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with spondylitis.
Have you and your rheumatologist talked about treatment options for nr-axSpA? Were you satisfied with the discussion? What other questions would you like to ask? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
[Actor Portrayal]
00:00:05:05 - 00:00:09:16
Patient
Is it normal to not get diagnosed for this long, after eight years of being in pain?
00:00:09:23 - 00:00:14:15
Doctor
Yes. Unfortunately, delayed diagnosis is far too common.
00:00:14:20 - 00:00:15:14
Patient
Why is that?
00:00:16:02 - 00:00:30:02
Doctor
It’s a rare condition, and only 1 in 9,000 people have it in the U.S. So it’s not a diagnosis that comes to mind quickly for many physicians when they hear about symptoms like yours. The fact that it doesn’t show up on X-rays means it gets missed.
00:00:30:20 - 00:00:31:14
Patient
Is there a cure?
00:00:32:06 - 00:00:52:21
Doctor
No, but we can improve your symptoms and try to keep it from progressing and getting worse. This is something you can manage with treatment. I know the ibuprofen and the naproxen didn’t make a big difference for you before, but how is this celecoxib helping with your pain and stiffness? It’s been about a month now that you’ve been on it. Yes?
00:00:53:01 - 00:00:55:05
Patient
Honestly, I don’t feel like it’s helping much.
00:00:55:20 - 00:01:01:14
Doctor
Since the different NSAIDs haven’t worked well for you, we should try a different kind of medication at this point.
00:01:01:22 - 00:01:03:04
Patient
What other treatments are there?
00:01:03:17 - 00:01:19:04
Doctor
There are biologic treatments that will slow the progression of axSpA and reduce inflammation. You will likely see improvements in your symptoms after starting treatment, and you’ll be less likely to develop joint damage and disability over time.
00:01:19:05 - 00:01:20:18
Patient
And what happens if I wait?
00:01:21:05 - 00:01:36:06
Doctor
Your symptoms may get worse over time. The longer you wait to start treatment, the more permanent joint damage can accumulate. You could eventually develop complications like spinal deformity, posture problems, and trouble with mobility.
00:01:36:16 - 00:01:42:04
Patient
Wow. That’s rough. Seems like early treatment is the best way to minimize the risk of all that.
00:01:42:10 - 00:01:50:17
Doctor
Biologic treatments have been proven to reduce the inflammation and prevent progression in the long run.
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Siddharth Tambar, M.D.
is a rheumatologist in Chicago, Illinois. He is the owner of the clinic Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine.
Learn more about him here.
Ted Samson
is a copy editor at MyHealthTeam.
Learn more about him here.
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