Thursday, August 7, 2014

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Our son Martin has had a interview with a specialist at Fremantle Hospital to determine if he can/should start a serious medication for his Ankylosing Spondylitis.  He is doing a blood test today and the results of that test will be crucial in commencing the drug.

AS is basically due to calcium deposits between joints; in Martin’s case, his spine.  There is no cure for AS, but this drug aims to reduce the calcium deposits in joints.

There is a heavy price to pay for using this drug....not money, but a whole host of side effects and disease possibilities.   It increases that chance of contracting Tuberculosis and  Hepatitis B if the patient has inactive TB or HepB.
There are many other problems with this drug and Martin has to weigh up the value of entering the program.  See here for more info.


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