ÈÝìá: Re: nerve damag e?=

[Guest guest]

Hi : I found some more time.

Here is some information about AS from Enbrel (www.enbrel.com)

" What is AS?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that

can often be progressive. It involves pain and inflammation,

primarily of the spine and sacroiliac joints (the area where your

spine meets your pelvis).

Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease of the immune system, your

body's protection against invasion by infections and toxins. In this

disease, the immune system attacks the body's own healthy cells,

mistaking them for cells that don't belong. This causes inflammation

in the joints and tissue around the joints, often resulting in pain,

swelling, fatigue, stiffness, and joint damage that can become

serious if not treated early and aggressively.

Ankylosing spondylitis has a wide range of symptoms. While you may

not have all of these symptoms, the most common include:

Lower back pain that is worse after you have slept or been inactive,

and improves after exercise, a hot bath, or shower

Pain and stiffness in your hips

Joint pain and inflammation in your shoulders, knees, and ankles

Limited range of motion in your spine and hips

Restricted expansion of your chest

Neck pain

Fatigue

Inflammation of your eyes, which can lead to permanent damage

According to a 2002 survey by the Spondylitis Association, over 60%

of AS patients say they have difficulty walking, getting into a car,

or sleeping. One in four patients reports that he or she has had to

change jobs or careers because of AS.

What causes AS?

No one knows what causes AS; however, because AS is an inflammatory

disease, we do know that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is involved in

causing AS signs and symptoms. There may also be genetic,

environmental, or infectious factors involved in the onset of the

disease. Elevated TNF levels are found in involved tissues of

patients with AS.

TNF is a protein that helps regulate the inflammatory process.

During normal immune response, TNF attaches to naturally occurring

TNF receptors located on cells throughout the body. This " switches

on " immune cells, causing them to release chemicals that can

contribute to inflammation, which is one of the body's natural

defenses.

People with AS produce too much TNF, which overwhelms the immune

system's ability to control inflammation and causes:

Destructive enzyme production in the joints

Chronic inflammation in the area of a joint that lubricates and

facilitates movement

Damage to the joint, cartilage, bone, ligaments, and tendons "

You know, , I could go on and on, but if you use your

favorite search engines (like google or MSN or ) you may be

able to find some good information about both: AS and PA, as they

pertain to back pain - and in Greek. I never really know when my

back pain is from my PA or my AS, and really, the treatments for the

two are about the same. So, I would reseach them both and you will

gain better understanding. The most helpful thing for me has been

a " Tush Cush " which you can find at:

http://healthyback.com/store/sitting/healthybacksacroseatwedge.htm?

KNC-SY8541820370

I have used a tush cush for five years. As a matter of fact, I have

4 of them: 1 for work, 2 at home, and 1 that stays in my car. Also,

I have just gotten a new vehicle that has adjustable lumbar support

in the seat and that has made a difference. Further, my wife and I

sleep on a ultra-delux pillow-top mattress set for our bed. The

mattress, itself, is about 50cm deep. The box springs that go with

it are also very stable. It is also expensive. It is very nice.

Well-made shoes are also important, and orthotics can be very

helpful. Keep trying to do some exercises that help you stretch

your back and keep it flexible, as the ulternative is less

flexibility and more pain. Read and learn about the

technique. http://www.alexandertechnique.com/ It has also been

helpful. Celebrex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrex has been

helpful for me. A small dose of amitriptyline

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amitrip.htm before bed can help

some people with chronic pain sleep through the night. Sleep is

important for healing.

Hope this helps, Brent

>

> Hi , sorry to hear about your back.

>

> Try going here:

>

>

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/ankylosing_spondyli

> tis.asp

>

> I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PA)and ankylosing

> spondylitis (AS). Not all people with PA with back pain have AS,

but

> the symptoms for both are often much the same. If you go to the

> site I put above, and then perform some searches on ankylosing

> spondylitis, you will find much information for how to care for

your

> back. I must go right now, but I will return by tomorrow to give

> you some more info. Most people with SA have the HLA-B27 gene

marker

> present in their blood. Your English is quite good!

>

> Bye for now, Brent

>

>