AS Treatment

Journey

Take charge of managing your AS

If you feel like living with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has been quite the journey, help is available. Owning that journey while knowing your options is important when managing your AS. Use these resources to determine your next steps with your rheumatologist.

Jump to where you are in your AS journey:

Ready to start AS treatment

Whether you’re undiagnosed, recently diagnosed, or getting ready to start treatment, it’s important to know you have options to navigate and overcome the challenges of AS.

Some people with AS can take up to

10 Years

to be diagnosed

The path to AS diagnosis can be challenging. Talking to a rheumatologist can help you understand your AS symptoms and how they impact you, and help you find the right treatment plan to manage your symptoms.

Use our tool to find a rheumatologist in your area.

Still experiencing AS symptoms?

Ongoing AS symptoms could be a sign that your disease is still progressing, so it’s important to be open with your doctor about how you’re feeling.

If you experience:

  • Pain in the lower back and hips
  • Stiffness after rest or in the morning
  • Impact to your everyday tasks

Use the 2 Minute Appointment Pre-Check to track how your treatment plan is working for you.

If you’re still experiencing AS symptoms after 3 months on your current treatment, it may be time to talk to your rheumatologist about reevaluating your treatment plan.

Think it might be time to discuss a treatment change? Hear tips from Dr. Jain, a rheumatologist, in the video below:

Music track throughout

DR. JAIN: I would give a patient about three months on a new treatment to see how it’s taking effect. But I rely on you to tell me how you’re feeling.

So some key words or phrases that I’m on the lookout for to indicate a treatment change:

  • – “Doc, I don’t think this treatment is working anymore.”
  • – “I’m finding myself waking up in the middle of the night with pain.”
  • – “Is this my life now? Is this my new normal?”

So those are just some of the clues that I’m always on the hunt for when it comes to figuring out is my patient on the right treatment, or is time to make a change?

Evaluating AS treatment options

It’s important to remember that, if your current treatment isn’t working to relieve your ongoing AS symptoms, it may be time to explore your options.

If you’re on a TNF blocker, like HUMIRA®, and still experiencing AS symptoms after 3 months, switching to another TNF blocker may not help. Ask your rheumatologist if trying a treatment that works differently, like RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor, may be an option for you. RINVOQ is approved for adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in whom TNF blockers did not work well.

Because JAK inhibitors, including RINVOQ, affect the immune system, they can lower the ability to fight infections and may cause other serious side effects. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about the possible side effects.


If AS symptoms are getting in the way of what's meaningful to you, use the Treatment Goals Guide to work with your rheumatologist on setting your goals to help you get back to the things you love.

“I was on maybe 4 other medicines, but none of them actually worked. With my rheumatologist, I always felt like there was something else we could try”

Deanna, real RINVOQ patient

Living with AS long term

In addition to finding the right treatment for you, there are other things that you can do to help manage your AS symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life.

No symptom change is too small for you or your rheumatologist to consider. 

When you notice something different, bring it to your rheumatologist proactively so you can stay ahead of symptoms and any changes you may need to make to keep them under control. 

Life changes, so your AS treatment goals should too.

For example, if you start a new job, does that change any of your treatment goals? Or, maybe a wedding is coming up—what does that mean for how you look at your goals?

Lead a healthy lifestyle beyond treatment

  • Being able to remain at work is a big factor for many AS patients—contact your workplace about setting up accommodations that may help manage symptoms.
  • Find ways to manage the emotions you go through, as anxiety and stress can worsen AS symptoms.
  • Good sleeping habits can contribute to your overall health and well-being.
  • Tap into those closest to you or those you can trust to support you emotionally and physically along your AS journey.

Don’t settle for ongoing AS symptoms

Continue to partner with your rheumatologist throughout your journey. Take proactive steps to manage your AS and get back to what matters to you.

NEXT PAGE