HLA-B27 positive and enthesitis

[roarcelona]

I have had enthesitis and tendonitis in multiple sites, some completely unrelated to activity, and I have had many many blood tests - all normal. I have recently had a HLA-B27 test done and it has come back positive. Rheumatologist says this is good indicator that we are on the right track with my medication, I am taking sulfasalazine, built it up in my body for 4 weeks and now I am on a dose of 4x500mg tablets a day and am nearing the start of my 6th week on the drug. He said it will take between 3-6 months to notice a difference that being if it helps at all, I am more confident it will be helping me in some way after being diagnosed HLA-B27 positive. At the moment I am taking the medication, a vitamin c tablet and a probiotic in a day. I was previously on a huge list of supplements and herbs and I feel they made absolutely no difference so I gave up on all of them except vitamin c. I have taken a huge amount of fish oil over the last 2 years and I'm just wondering if lots of this could have actually contributed in the beginning because I dont think it helped me AT ALL. Its a shame that genes play a role like this, being extremely active while at school (i'm only 19) I used to run cross country, and just run for fun and fitness, absolutely loved it, played football for 11 years and I won age champion three times in high school but now I can barely walk how I used to and I haven't run properly for 18 months.

Anyway, I am just wondering if anyone has any insight into little things that I could do which could make a massive difference. Alternative medicine is an absolute scam and have probably made things worse when attempting to go down that path. I'm trying to live as normally as possible, eating a well balanced diet, trying to have fun, going to uni, playing games, meeting up with friends, not being excessively strict on diet and sleep patterns because that doesn't help at all in my opinion it just piles stress onto yourself. I injured a muscle in my arm a while ago and it was quite weak atm, but I am progressing with the strength of it and should be able to start some swimming very soon so I am looking forward to that :)

[Pantx]

Swimming will be awesome its friendly for people with joint/tendon pain. I agree with sblythe he gave you very sound advice.

Eat healthy, Stay active, Get decent, consistent rest, laugh often, reduce stress. These things help support the body

The only other recommendation I may add being a rheumatology patient myself is that if you're going to take Vitamin C take D with it.

Is Rheum monitoring you for AS or is she thinking you have Rieters or Reactive arthritis? Rheumatologists are pretty sharp usually

Did she give you any anti-inflammatories while waiting for your DMARD to build up in your body?

[sblythe]

Swimming will be great - just concentrate on maintaining your weight and a good overall muscle tone. It is a shame that there is so much bogus advertisement for the alternative health products. There were studies on fish oil for inflammation years ago - and what they found is that half of the people who took it did get a little benefit from the fish oil - but it required TWELVE grams daily! Half of the people in the study dropped out before the end because they couldn't even begin to tolerate 12 grams of fish oil a day! But no one selling you fish oil will tell you that!