Chest Pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Which Specialist to See First?
If a patient with ankylosing spondylitis experiences chest pain, they should first consult a rheumatologist? Hello Doctor, I am 51 years old and a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, which I developed at the age of 45. My symptoms initially included only buttock pain and morning...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I recommend seeing a rheumatologist first, as the duration of pain and the pain pattern may resemble that of ankylosing spondylitis, and it could potentially be related to it. If you still have concerns, you can discuss your anxiety about cardi...[Read More] Chest Pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Which Specialist to See First?
Joint Stiffness and Pain After AZ Vaccine: What to Know
After receiving the AZ vaccine, I experienced joint stiffness and pain? Doctor: Hello, I received my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on July 30, 2021; the second and third doses of Moderna on October 3, 2021, and March 14, 2022. I am approximately 50 years old. About 1 to 2...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1. Currently, among your series of rheumatic disease test results, only the ESR is slightly elevated, and I recommend continuing to monitor it. After receiving this type of new vaccine, there is indeed a higher chance of...[Read More] Joint Stiffness and Pain After AZ Vaccine: What to Know
Should You Stop Your Medications After a COVID-19 Infection?
Should I stop taking my medication after contracting COVID-19? Hello Doctor, I am currently 19 years old and a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I am currently on a stable treatment regimen of one tablet of Wanket and two tablets of Salazopyrin daily. I would like to ask, if I...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) If you are asymptomatic, is there any medication for stiffness that I should stop taking? How long should I stop? --> No need to stop any medication. 2) If you have mild symptoms and need to take general cold medica...[Read More] Should You Stop Your Medications After a COVID-19 Infection?
Do Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Face Higher Long COVID Risks?
Do patients with ankylosing spondylitis have a higher risk of developing long COVID after contracting COVID-19? Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and currently undergoing stable treatment with Vectra and Celebrex. I would like to ask if patients with ankylo...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the medication you are taking does not affect the prognosis, and patients with ankylosing spondylitis are not more likely to experience long-term effects from COVID-19. Thank you for your question.[Read More] Do Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Face Higher Long COVID Risks?
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine on Ankylosing Spondylitis: What to Know
The impact of COVID-19 vaccines on ankylosing spondylitis? Hello Doctor, I previously asked you about the worsening of my ankylosing spondylitis condition after receiving the first dose of the BNT vaccine (where my medication became ineffective in controlling inflammation levels ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the COVID-19 vaccine does not necessarily worsen ankylosing spondylitis; however, it is true that approximately 5% of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases may experience instability in their condition after vaccination. The reasons for this are unclear, and the degr...[Read More] Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine on Ankylosing Spondylitis: What to Know
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Vaccination for Ankylosing Spondylitis Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I would like to ask you: 1) If the COVID-19 vaccine has exacerbated my pre-existing stiffness, is it possible that this exacerbation could last a long time (for example, 1-2 years, or...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) If the COVID-19 vaccine exacerbates a pre-existing rigid condition, is it possible that this exacerbation could last for a long time (for example, 1-2 years, or even longer, potentially a lifetime)? --> Currently,...[Read More] Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Increase Severe COVID-19 Risk?
Do patients with ankylosing spondylitis have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19? Hello doctor, may I ask if patients with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop moderate to severe symptoms after contracting COVID-19? Thank you, doctor.
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Whether patients with rheumatic diseases develop severe illness after infection is related to their overall health status at the time of infection. Factors such as whether the rheumatic disease is well-controlled, the current condition of the d...[Read More] Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Increase Severe COVID-19 Risk?
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis and Autoantibodies in Young Patients
Ankylosing spondylitis and autoantibodies? Hello Doctor, my son is currently over 18 years old and has ankylosing spondylitis. The notes below are from a previous examination report at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. I would like to ask the doctor: 1) Although ankylosing spondyliti...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1) Although ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease, it does not mean that patients with ankylosing spondylitis will necessarily have autoantibodies, correct? --> Yes. 2) According to the attached report, does m...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis and Autoantibodies in Young Patients
Do Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Face Higher Risk of Long COVID?
Do patients with stiffness have a higher risk of developing long COVID-19 sequelae if they contract COVID-19? Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and currently undergoing stable treatment with Vectra and Celebrex (I asked you some other questions a few days a...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Are patients with ankylosing spondylitis more likely to experience Long COVID-19 symptoms after contracting COVID-19? --> Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support this. However, post-infection, individ...[Read More] Do Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients Face Higher Risk of Long COVID?
Does Salazopyrin Increase Risk of Severe COVID-19 in Patients?
Does the use of salmeterol increase the risk of developing moderate to severe illness after infection? Hello Doctor, I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, currently 18 years old. I am undergoing stable treatment with Wankesi (60 mg per day) and Salazopyrin (1000 mg per day)...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Are individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy more likely to develop moderate to severe COVID-19 if they contract the virus? --> Generally, yes. However, Salazopyridine (Salsalate) has a relatively mild effect...[Read More] Does Salazopyrin Increase Risk of Severe COVID-19 in Patients?
Choosing Probiotics for Allergies and Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Adults
Selection of Probiotics for Stiffness Hello, Doctor. My child is 20 years old and has had allergic issues with the nose and eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) since childhood. They have now been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Both the allergist and the rheumatologist have sug...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Currently, the relationship between probiotics, allergies, and ankylosing spondylitis is still in the research phase. It is generally believed that changes in the gut microbiome may be related to the worsening or improvement of diseases; howeve...[Read More] Choosing Probiotics for Allergies and Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Adults
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment Options and Patient Concerns
Ankylosing spondylitis Dear Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, diagnosed for 2.5 years, and I am currently 18.8 years old. I have been managing my condition with NSAIDs and have been unable to discontinue them. I would like to ask the following questions: 1) Gen...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) Biological agents tend to be more effective and are easier to achieve stable drug withdrawal. 2) For a 19-year-old, there are no specific recommendations; a general chest X-ray and electrocardiogram are sufficient. 3) It does not necessarily increase. 4) A temporary paus...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment Options and Patient Concerns
Should I Stop My Medications Before Getting the Second BNT Shot?
Should I stop taking muscle relaxants before getting the BNT vaccine? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. A month ago, I was experiencing pain in my sacroiliac joint, and my CRP was 0.57 and ESR was 20. At that time, I switched to a different medication, tak...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I believe it would be better to administer the BNT vaccine after the symptoms improve or the inflammatory markers decrease. Some patients with rheumatic diseases who receive the COVID-19 vaccine before their condition stabilizes often experienc...[Read More] Should I Stop My Medications Before Getting the Second BNT Shot?
Effectiveness of Sulfasalazine in Treating Sacroiliitis: A Doctor's Insight
Is the treatment effect of Salazopyrine for sacroiliac joint arthritis significant? Hello Doctor, I previously asked you about the treatment for my son's ankylosing spondylitis, and I would like to confirm one more thing. I found on the internet that most sources state, &quo...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Salazopyrin is indeed not very effective for sacroiliitis, but it does have a good effect on reducing inflammatory responses. Therefore, for patients with ankylosing spondylitis who only have axial spine inflammation, if there is also an increa...[Read More] Effectiveness of Sulfasalazine in Treating Sacroiliitis: A Doctor's Insight
Does Acne Affect ESR Levels in Young Patients?
Can acne cause an increase in ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, and I am 19 years old. Although I take my medication regularly, during my follow-up blood tests, I notice that my CRP levels are relatively stable and wel...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. ESR and CRP are different; they are indirect markers of inflammation and can be influenced by many factors. In principle, your physician will evaluate whether an elevated ESR is truly related to disease activity. Severe acne can also be complic...[Read More] Does Acne Affect ESR Levels in Young Patients?
Can Allergies Affect Inflammatory Markers Like CRP and ESR?
Does allergies affect inflammation levels? Hello Doctor: My son is 19 years old and has had allergies since childhood. Over a year ago, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. He is currently being treated with Wankesit and Celebrex. In his most recent follow-up appointment...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Can allergies cause an increase in CRP and ESR? --> Not necessarily. Most of the time, they do not, but severe allergies may cause an increase. 2) My child currently has a CRP of 0.5 and an ESR of 20. Could part ...[Read More] Can Allergies Affect Inflammatory Markers Like CRP and ESR?
Can I Take Salazopyrin and Wanket After Dinner Instead?
Seroquel medication schedule? Dear Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. Currently, I am taking Celebrex (two capsules, each 500 mg) and Voltaren (one capsule, 60 mg). The prescription states to take them once a day after breakfast, but since my breakfast time is qu...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Yes, the Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department of Changhua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, is here to assist you.[Read More] Can I Take Salazopyrin and Wanket After Dinner Instead?
Should I Consider Rehabilitation for Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain?
Should I go to a rehabilitation department for stiffness? Hello Doctor: I am a 20-year-old patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I would like to ask you a few questions: 1) Initially, I only experienced pain in my left buttock (no pain in other areas). After taking Celebrex, the...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1) Initially, I only experienced pain in my left buttock (no pain in other areas). After taking Celecoxib, the pain subsided. However, after stopping the medication for 1.5 months, I began to experience pain only in my ri...[Read More] Should I Consider Rehabilitation for Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain?
Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis: Medication, Exercise, and Inflammation Concerns
Medication usage and exercise? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. 1) I have been taking Secukinumab for six months, and it has been effective in controlling my condition. However, recently, despite unchanged medication, my pain and inflammation levels have ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, online friend. 1) Autoimmune diseases have a characteristic of fluctuating symptoms, which may not always be related to medication issues. 2) Vaccines can activate autoimmune diseases or trigger immune abnormalities in approximately 5%-10% of cases. 3) The impact of food i...[Read More] Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis: Medication, Exercise, and Inflammation Concerns
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis and Its Impact on Immunity
Ankylosing spondylitis and immunity? Hello Doctor, I am currently 18.7 years old. I have already received the first dose of the BNT vaccine and am considering self-paying for the first dose of a biologic agent and the second dose of the BNT vaccine. I would like to ask you: 1) Ho...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) Some biologic agents have effects, while others do not; please consult the attending physician. 2) Autoimmune diseases can have fluctuating conditions, and vaccines may also have an impact, so it is important to consider the actual situation. 3) Generally, in ankylosing spondy...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis and Its Impact on Immunity