Spondylitis Cycle

This is from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ankylosing-Spondylitis-Awareness like them on Facebook!!!

This is the vicious cyle of spondylitis.

Humira

Do you ever wonder if a new medication is helping? Sometimes it's difficult to tell. Recently I started taking Humira. I haven't noticed a difference yet, but then again I didn't notice a difference with the methotrexate until I stopped taking it. Maybe the benefit is gradual so you don't really notice it. I am hoping it will help with my hands. The psoriatic arthritis makes them extremely painful at times. I would like to go back to work part time but it's difficult to find a job these days that doesn't require a lot of fine motor manipulation, including typing. At home I can use a talk to text program. Dragon Naturally Speaking is a really wonderful program if you haven't tried one and have problems with your hands.
I have to say the Humira shot hurts like crazy, but I haven't noticed any side effects. Typical side effects can include bacterial infection, sinus infection, fever, rash, nausea, stomach cramps, and more. For a more complete list google "Humira side effects".

update... I gave myself a typing test to see how my hands would hold up. Painful so the Humira isn't helping yet. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ankylosing Spondylitis... what is it?

Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory disease of the spine that can cause the vertebrae of the spine to fuse together. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched-forward posture. See diagram 1.

Symptoms:                                                                   Diagram 1.

Symptoms can begin in early adulthood. Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 0.1% to 0.5% of the adult population. Although it can occur at any age, spondylitis most often strikes men in their teens and 20s. It is less common and generally milder in women and more common in some Native American tribes.

The most common early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

·         Pain and stiffness. Constant pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks, and hips that continue for more than three months. Spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints, where the sacrum (the lowest major part of the spine) joins the ilium bone of the pelvis in the lower back region.

·         Bony fusion. Ankylosing spondylitis can cause an overgrowth of the bones, which may lead to abnormal joining of bones, called "bony fusion." Fusion affecting bones of the neck, back, or hips may impair a person's ability to perform routine activities. Fusion of the ribs to the spine or breastbone may limit a person's ability to expand his or her chest when taking a deep breath.

·         Pain in ligaments and tendons. Spondylitis also may affect some of the ligaments and tendons that attach to bones. Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) may cause pain and stiffness in the area behind or beneath the heel, such as the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. Enthesitis is the "infection of the enthesis, in which the joint capsules, tendons or ligaments link to the bones." This inflammation can result in severe discomfort and pain.

             Diagram 2.

              

 Inflammation. Because AS affects the spine it can affect the entire body. Diagram 2 displays this.

more to come....

Corn and Chile Salad Recipe from Publix

At Publix today I was lucky enough to try their quesadilla bake and corn & chile salad recipe. The quesadilla bake was good, but the corn salad was the star. I can't wait to make a big bowl!!

CORN AND CHILE TACO SALAD

Ingredients
1/4 cup green onions, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
4 ears fresh corn
Juice of 1 lime
1 (4.5-oz) can chopped green chiles
1/2 cup spicy ranch dressing
tortilla chips

Prep

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Chop green onions and cilantro.
• Cut corn from cob (about 2 cups) into medium bowl.
• Squeeze lime for juice (2 tablespoons).

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients except the chips.
2. Serve with tortilla chips.
3. Enjoy!