Hollie Godfrey
My name is Hollie Godfrey. I am 39 years old and I live in Riverdale Utah and I was just diagnosed with A.S. in February. I have been in pain for over three years and was seeing a doctor that had no urgency to find out what was really wrong with me. I explained the pain I was feeling and how my chest constantly hurt. He had done some ex-rays and EKG’s but found nothing. He finally put me on a beta-blocker to keep my heart rate lower, which did nothing for me…In January of this year I went to a clinic at the hospital and met my new doctor, a third year resident that told me she was not going to give up on me! Finally some hope!! I wasn’t being treated like I was crazy or just wanted pain meds (which I never asked for). She ordered a series of blood test and found I had the HLA-B27 gene, from there we did a pelvic ex-ray which gave her reason to order a MRI. She was right in her thoughts. Ankylosing Spondylitis. She has referred me to a rheumatologist, which I love!! Great man!! I have been on Hurmira since Feb. 14th, the first dose was like a miracle but lasted only ten days, the second one lasted even less. I have been told it could take up to 4-6 weeks to really feel good, so I am looking forward to that! Its nice to know that I am not alone, all these faces on here really give me comfort and I am glad I found this page…My hopes are high!! Thank you!!!
Riverdale Utah United States of America
Dear Hollie,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. The best advice I can give to you or anyone.. give your medicine time to work. I was on remicade for 7 months or so before I began to feel better, doctor said give it time. I did and was the best decision of my life.
Sincerely Cookie