A.S. Face 1312: Tiffany Dugger
My name is Tiffany. I live in Washington state and I am 32 years old. I was first diagnosed with AS when I was 22. The rheumatologist wanted to start me on TNF-a blockers ASAP but I wanted to have babies so I ignored my diagnosis and tried to live with the pain. After successfully having two children (not without many hardships including miscarriages, preeclampsia, and premature babies) I decided it was time to seek the care I needed. I was started on Humira which seemed to work for 6 months before it lost effectiveness. I then tried Remicade and it seemed to work well for quite some time but my reactions to it got worse each time. I've now been on Cimzia for around 8 months and seem to be doing ok. I am fusing at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1. I also have severe arthritis in my hip and constant pain in my SI joints and neck. My gastroenterologist also
believes I have Crohns of my upper GI. I take high doses of Nabumetone to help with inflammation since others I have tried didn't do the trick and I hope that doesn't completely destroy my stomach.
Even with all this being said, I don't regret waiting to get treatment. I'm thankful for my blessings. Shortly after having my second child I had to have a hysterectomy due to problems believed to be related to AS and my "parts". I couldn't imagine not having my babies.
Next week I am being scheduled to 'burn' the nerve endings in my facets in the areas mentioned above. I hope it helps with the pain so that I continue to live MY life.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. You all kick AS(s)!
Tiffany Dugger
Washington, United States of America
My name is Tiffany. I live in Washington state and I am 32 years old. I was first diagnosed with AS when I was 22. The rheumatologist wanted to start me on TNF-a blockers ASAP but I wanted to have babies so I ignored my diagnosis and tried to live with the pain. After successfully having two children (not without many hardships including miscarriages, preeclampsia, and premature babies) I decided it was time to seek the care I needed. I was started on Humira which seemed to work for 6 months before it lost effectiveness. I then tried Remicade and it seemed to work well for quite some time but my reactions to it got worse each time. I've now been on Cimzia for around 8 months and seem to be doing ok. I am fusing at L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1. I also have severe arthritis in my hip and constant pain in my SI joints and neck. My gastroenterologist also
believes I have Crohns of my upper GI. I take high doses of Nabumetone to help with inflammation since others I have tried didn't do the trick and I hope that doesn't completely destroy my stomach.
Even with all this being said, I don't regret waiting to get treatment. I'm thankful for my blessings. Shortly after having my second child I had to have a hysterectomy due to problems believed to be related to AS and my "parts". I couldn't imagine not having my babies.
Next week I am being scheduled to 'burn' the nerve endings in my facets in the areas mentioned above. I hope it helps with the pain so that I continue to live MY life.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. You all kick AS(s)!
Tiffany Dugger
Washington, United States of America
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