Understanding Side Effects of Celecoxib: Gastrointestinal Concerns and More
Side effects of Xeljanz? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, currently 20 years old. I started taking Celebrex a year ago, and recently, four days ago, I began experiencing bloody stools. The colorectal surgeon diagnosed it as hemorrhoids and has prescribed ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, netizen. 1) Yes, but Celecoxib is one of the anti-inflammatory pain medications with relatively low bleeding side effects. 2) An ALT level of 34 is within the normal range, so there is no need to worry as long as it is within normal limits. 3) Generally, the CRP test can d...[Read More] Understanding Side Effects of Celecoxib: Gastrointestinal Concerns and More
Switching Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Is It Worth Trying?
Switch back to the original medication? Hello Doctor: My son is 19 years old and has ankylosing spondylitis. He only experiences pain in the sacroiliac joints, and there is no pain in the peripheral joints, nor has he ever experienced morning stiffness. He is currently taking Cel...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. If you are taking Salazopyrin, you need to increase to the therapeutic dose and continue using it for at least three months for the effects to become noticeable. If the current treatment with Xeljanz is not effective, you might consider trying R...[Read More] Switching Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Is It Worth Trying?
Understanding Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Key Questions Answered
Biologics Hello, doctor. My son is 18.7 years old and is a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I would like to ask some questions regarding biologic agents: To save the doctor's time, I would like to define the following conditions as "Condition A" (the prescripti...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. There are many inquiries, so I can only provide brief responses as follows: 1) If you apply for public funding to receive biologic therapy and it is approved, after a period of treatment, if the inflammatory markers normalize and there is no...[Read More] Understanding Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Key Questions Answered
Understanding Biologics and Vaccination for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Biologics Hello Doctor, I am currently 19 years old and have ankylosing spondylitis. I received my first dose of the BNT vaccine on September 27, 2021, and I am planning to get the second dose (the delay in receiving the second dose is due to my serious suspicion that the first d...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1) Is there a regulation on how long one should wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before or after receiving a biologic agent? --> Only certain biologic agents require a pause in administration when receiving the C...[Read More] Understanding Biologics and Vaccination for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Could Vaccination Trigger Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Is ankylosing spondylitis caused by vaccination? Hello, after recently receiving the BNT vaccine, I experienced several inflammatory symptoms. After multiple rounds of examinations at the hospital, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. However, the symptoms appeared sudden...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. I believe that the BNT vaccine is unlikely to trigger the occurrence of ankylosing spondylitis. However, current COVID-19 vaccines, including BNT, may indeed induce muscle and joint pain, resulting in symptoms similar to rheumatic diseases. I s...[Read More] Could Vaccination Trigger Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Understanding Side Effects of Medication in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Side effects of medication? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, currently 20 years old. I started taking Celebrex a year ago. Recently, four days ago, I began experiencing blood in my stool (bright red, present with every bowel movement), without any blood c...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1) Based on the described situation, is the likelihood of lower gastrointestinal bleeding high? --> I believe the probability of lower gastrointestinal bleeding is higher, especially due to hemorrhoids. 2) In the pa...[Read More] Understanding Side Effects of Medication in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Evaluating the Efficacy and Risks of Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Biologics (additional inquiries) The questions below, starting with an asterisk, were previously asked to Dr. Tseng, and I appreciate Dr. Tseng's response on January 25: "It is effective, and I recommend continuing the medication and adjusting the dosage after some time...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the medical guidelines suggest a sequence of medications for treatment, taking into account their side effects and benefits. The principle is to use anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications as the first line of treatment. The consideration of biologics should be discuss...[Read More] Evaluating the Efficacy and Risks of Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Does Long-Term Use of Medication Reduce Its Effectiveness?
Does taking medication for a long time reduce its effectiveness? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and have been diagnosed for over two years. For the past six months, I have been taking one Celebrex in the morning and one in the evening (a total of two per...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: 1) Is it possible that the efficacy of Celebrex decreases with prolonged use, or could there be other reasons? --> To my knowledge, this is unlikely. There are many reasons for increased pain, such as adhesions due t...[Read More] Does Long-Term Use of Medication Reduce Its Effectiveness?
Assessing Long-Term Risks of Biologics vs. Traditional Treatments
Biologics (Follow-up Question) Dear Dr. Gao, Below the asterisks is the question I raised on January 17. I appreciate your detailed response, and I would like to ask a few more questions: 1) I want to focus on the long-term severe (or life-threatening) side effects. The long-te...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here is my consolidated response: 1) I would like to focus on the long-term severe (or fatal) side effects. The long-term severe (or fatal) side effects of Celebrex (celecoxib) include cardiovascular, renal, and gastrointestinal issues. The lon...[Read More] Assessing Long-Term Risks of Biologics vs. Traditional Treatments
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: MRI Findings and Future Implications
Nuclear vibration report issues? Hello Doctor: My son is 19 years old. A year and a half ago, he started experiencing pain in the sacroiliac joint, and recently, through MRI and other examinations, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. The following English portion is the...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, bone marrow edema indicates a localized inflammatory response. Regardless of whether it is treated or stabilizes on its own, bone marrow edema will resolve, making it reversible. Once healed, there will be residual signs of previous inflammation on the bone, known as subch...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: MRI Findings and Future Implications
Understanding Immunomodulators for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Regarding immunomodulators? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis. I have undergone an MRI, which showed no inflammation at L4/5 and L5/S1, but there is inflammation in the sacroiliac joint. I have some questions for you. First: Is the sacroiliac joint consider...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
User 1: The sacroiliac joint and the spinal joints are classified as axial joints, not peripheral joints. User 2: Only in the case of inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, it is generally recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and there are also biolo...[Read More] Understanding Immunomodulators for Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients
Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Treatment methods My son is currently 18 years old and began experiencing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis two years ago, with a diagnosis made one year ago. I have the following questions: 1) For the past six months, my son has been taking two capsules of Celebrex (200 mg ea...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) It is effective, and it is recommended to continue taking it while adjusting the dosage over time. 2) Do not consider switching to immunomodulators for now. 3) Only if CRP/ESR remains high after medication can one apply for biologics. 4) SIMPONI is not suitable for children un...[Read More] Effective Treatment Strategies for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Young Patients
Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
COVID-19 Vaccines and Inflammatory Markers Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and have been taking Secukinumab for a year. My inflammatory markers were under control, but after receiving the first dose of the BNT vaccine on September 27, I noticed an increas...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1) In outpatient experience, there have been cases where inflammation markers worsened after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, with literature reporting approximately 5%. 2) This has been observed in various rheumatic patients and with different vaccines. 3) The duration of the imp...[Read More] Impact of COVID-19 Vaccines on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine worsen the condition of ankylosing spondylitis? Hello Doctor: My child is a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and has been taking Secukinumab for a year. The inflammatory markers have been under control. On September 27, he received the first d...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are my responses: 1) In your clinical experience, how common is it for patients with rheumatic diseases to experience worsening conditions after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? --> I only have personal experience and no national statist...[Read More] Does COVID-19 Vaccination Worsen Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms?
Is Daily Use of Celecoxib Effective for Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Is this considered an effective treatment? My son is currently 18 years old and started showing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis two years ago, with a diagnosis made one year ago. I have the following questions: 1) For the past six months, my son has been taking two capsules ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here is my response summarized as follows: 1) My son has been taking 2 capsules of Celecoxib (200 mg) daily for the past six months, which has kept his CRP around 0.3 mg/dL and ESR around 12, and he has not experienced any pain (previously he ...[Read More] Is Daily Use of Celecoxib Effective for Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Understanding Sacroiliitis Levels in Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis
What grade of sacroiliitis does it belong to? Dear Dr. Tseng, My son is 19 years old. A year and a half ago, he started experiencing pain in the sacroiliac joint, and recently, through MRI and other examinations, he has been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Below is the te...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I am not Dr. Tseng, so if you are looking for Dr. Tseng, please choose the corresponding hospital and department. The Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology Department of Changhua Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, is here to assist you.[Read More] Understanding Sacroiliitis Levels in Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis
Should We Change Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management?
Should the medication be changed? Hello Doctor: My child (born June 2003, currently 18 years and 6 months old) developed ankylosing spondylitis in June 2019 (symptoms only included sacroiliac joint pain, with no morning stiffness). However, he was only diagnosed with ankylosing s...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. At that time, the patient was unable to stabilize their condition with the current medication, so it may be worth trying the new medication recently; if it proves ineffective, we can switch back. 2. It may be worth trying the new medication recently; if it proves ineffective, ...[Read More] Should We Change Medications for Ankylosing Spondylitis Management?
Managing Rheumatic Pain During Labor: Natural vs. Cesarean Delivery
Please consult the physician again? Hello, doctor. I apologize for the confusion in my previous message. The pain I mentioned refers to the recurrent pain caused by rheumatism, such as swelling and pain in the knee joints, thigh joints, and arms. The pain persists even at rest an...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, the previous response still applies to your current question. Even if joint pain worsens as you approach delivery, there are medications available to help manage the symptoms, which you can discuss with your rheumatologist. If you experience joint pain during labor, you ca...[Read More] Managing Rheumatic Pain During Labor: Natural vs. Cesarean Delivery
Managing Childbirth Challenges in Women with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Issues related to childbirth in women with ankylosing spondylitis? Hello, Doctor. I started experiencing severe joint swelling and pain around the age of 13, and now at 31, the locations and timing of the pain have changed with age. I only began seeking medical attention in adult...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) Due to the frequent pain during flare-ups, which can make movement difficult, is it possible to have a smooth delivery if the condition flares up during natural childbirth? --> In principle, flare-ups of ankylosin...[Read More] Managing Childbirth Challenges in Women with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing Inflammation and Treatment Options
Ankylosing spondylitis has fluctuating levels of inflammation markers? Doctor: A young male, 18 years old, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the end of 2020 and started taking Celebrex (200 mg). Below are the CRP (mg/dL) / ESR (mm/hr) and medication records: 2020/11/...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. BNT may lead to instability in certain immune inflammatory diseases. 2. If the ESR is significantly elevated but there are no symptoms, it is advisable to monitor the situation; further investigation should be conducted if abnormalities arise. 3. Disease control includes: ...[Read More] Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing Inflammation and Treatment Options