Is there any permanent treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
Q: I am a 29 years old male. I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis three and a half years back. I started doing yoga, which improved my condition drastically. The doctor prescribed me medicines - Nucoxia 120, Supracal and Pantocid 40. He also prescribed Idrufos but I did not take it ever, as people had warned me of its side effects. I have been taking these medicines for the past four years. Now, the dosage has been changed to Nucoxia 90. Although I have been feeling much better and less stiff, I sometimes experience severe stiffness in my lower back, once in every 3-4 months. The pain is quite unbearable. Am I on right treatment? Is there any permanent treatment for ankylosing spondylitis? Do I need to continue taking these for the rest of my life? Can I use the gym? Is ankylosing spondylitis a genetic disorder?
A:Etoricoxib is presently one of the safest and most effective coxib for controlling disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis being a genetic disease (like diabetes, hypertension, asthma etc.) lifetime treatment is required. Exact medicine to be given may be changed by your treating rheumatologist (not orthopaedic surgeon as they are not trained in the routine evaluation of ankylosing spondylitis). Till today genetic diseases cannot be gotten rid of permanently but can be kept under good control so that one leads a near-normal life. Of course genes would be transferred in the off springs but chances of them having symptoms is approximately 20% only. It is essential to carry out regular exercises as advised by your doctor-physiotherapist. It is part of the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.