I was 55 when I was diagnosed with AS.  I started with indocin and tramadol.  The indocin gave me bad stomach cramps and the tramadol didn't help.  I switched to voltaren and hydrocodone.  After a couple of months on them I added Remicade.  That lasted 9 months and I was in the most pain ever at the end,  Stopped the Remicade and began using Humira along with the voltaren and hydrocodon,  It took me a full 4 months for the Humira to kick in.  I have tried over the years to stop the nsaids but pain puts me right back on them,  I do take nexxium religiously every morning about an hour before I eat anything,

Bottom line is that each medicine seems to be a piece of the puzzle that keeps me able to function.

Good luck

Both Enbrel and Humira are generally fast acting and you will likely be advised by your rheumatologist to stop the other drugs to assess how Humira is working for you anyway, just ask questions about whether you should stop or not, and try to, since opiates fry your brain cells over time. Enbrel gave me liver damage after a few mths, so make sure you do go and get your blood checked. After two blissful pain free years on Humira, I ended up with an early stage melanoma skin cancer.. Most likely linked - so am not on anything right now.  But being out of pain for some time has led to a remission in my symptoms for now- I think because possibly the AS pain leads to secondary fibromyalgia symptoms which dissipate once you are pain free. But alas, I can feel it creeping back, and have no idea where to turn.. Probably back to frying brain cells.....

Humira is working great for me. It has almost completely wiped out my stiffness and pain for everyday living, although I still get pain if I try to do too much. I'm 49, and have been taking Humira for 2 years now. Before that I was on Remicade.

I would hope that by treating the source (as Humira does) you could get off the opiates which treats symptoms such as pain and stiffness. However your rheumatologist will have to decide how well Humira is working for you before you get off pain meds. (In my case I use NSAID's instead of opiates to control inflammation and stiffness.)

I take humiira 2, I was told it is suppose to slow the fusing down, That is the only reason i take it right now. I also take Vicodin when i gets really bad, Hope u figure things out soon, and u start feelin better.
Jessica

I wish you the best of luck with the Humira.  I was on Humira, Enbrel, and Simponi.  They all have failed on me within 6 months.  I am not treated with opiates since I have had drug and alcohol abuse in my younger years.  I was dx'ed in my late 40's.  While they did work, I took less ib or celebrex.  So hopefully you will be able use less opiates.  Just remember what works for one, may not work for another.

I, too, was diagnosed finally a couple of years ago in my mid-50s. I'm on Humira, low-dose prednisone and Tramadol ER (mild, long-acting synthetic opiate). The Humira (been on it 2 years) is WONDERFUL! Hope to get off the tramadol and prednisone ASAP. Hoping you find a good way to treat the inflammation and get back to living!
Janet