For some reason, I can’t post to this group frequntly—not sure what I’m doing wrong. I am 50 years old and was diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis last November after almost three years of pain.
The pain is mostly sacroiliitis + very close to the spine in my mid-back. It gets much worse when I sit for more than an hour or two (spine), and when driving. Since November, I have been treated with Sulfasalazine (500mg x 2 daily), then Methotrexate (10mg once a week), and I have now had two shots of Humira (the second one was last week).
I have been on sick leave for about four weeks, and nothing seems to be improving. Is this normal? I am taking all the medications together, yet nothing changes. I feel okay when walking, but sitting is horrible, standing too long is also difficult, and lying in bed starts to hurt after 4–5 hours. Should I wait patiently for the Humira to take effect?
This brings me to my next question: Can I have a normal life with all this pain and medication? My rheumatologist is very optimistic, but he isn’t the one in my body. I am a software engineer and just received a dream job offer. Since I'm 50, this feels like a miracle and I don’t want to miss it—but I can't sit for 9–10 hours, five days a week. Please pls. any insights would be a great help!
I’m starting to suspect that the diagnosis might not be correct, even though he is considered an excellent rheumatologist. It does seem like SpA because of the stiffness, but my pain is only on one side of my body and affects my ankle, knee, and fingers as well.
I really dont know what else I can do. Thank you for being here.
XOXO
G.