How do biologic therapies work for axial spondyloarthritis? Your questions answered

Colin Beevor explains why biologic medications can be helpful for axial SpA and shares his top tips for self-injections. Colin is Matron and Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist at Portsmouth Hospital and NASS Medical Advisor.
What was your favourite tip Colin shared? Let us know in the comments 👇
00:00 Introduction and meet Colin
02:09 Treatments for axial SpA
04:09 Clinical trials of axial SpA medications
07:16 How biologics can help psoriasis or IBD
08:56 The treatment pathway
14:28 When do biologics not work?
17:53 Starting a new medication and monitoring for side effects
28:38 Biologics and the risk of infections
36:01 Is there a link between biologics and risk of cancer?
37:27 Tips for managing your biologic therapy and for self-injections
45:17 Q&A
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We are the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) and we are here to transform the diagnosis and care of people living with axial SpA.
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This video was originally recorded live on / nationalaxialspondyloa... on 2 February 2022
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[@stevehaywood9507]

Thank you. Great input. Extremely helpful. Keep up the good work 👏

[@NASSCentral]

Happy to hear it was helpful. Thanks for the great feedback! ~Zoë

[@juliafarrow5234]

What an excellent presentation - so much information ! It answered all my questions as well as several things I wouldn't even have thought of asking. Thanks so much

[@NASSCentral]

Hi Julia, I'm so pleased to hear it helped! Thanks for sharing your great feedback ~Zoë

[@susanhawthorn4379]

Another great video. Lots to relate to here. Thanks guys.

[@NASSCentral]

Glad you enjoyed it! ~Zoë

[@MG63]

Thanks for the video. I have an important question. I have never had chicken pox , measles or mumps. I am due to start a biologic adalimumab for my AS in the following weeks. Do you think I should have a vaccine for chicken pox before I start the biologic? My partner is on immunosupressants. I'm worried of what could happen to myself and my partner if I caught chicken pox. My partner did have chicken pox as a child but I never did as previously mentioned. I am having blood tests in a few days but don't know what they are testing for. Thank you. Regards.

[@NASSCentral]

Hi, we recommend discussing this with your GP, as they'd be the ones to give the vaccine if you need it. From the information here, it appears you'd be eligible for it: www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine/ Definitely check with your rheumatology team to see if you need to leave a period of time between receiving the vaccine and starting biologics, as some vaccines need that. I hope that's helpful and you get a big improvement with the biologics ~Zoë

[@MG63]

@@NASSCentralThanks for your reply and information. I will speak to my rheumatologist and ask before I start. Thanks also for the link. Kind regards.

[@cd9400]

I have AS diagnosed in 2015 and Multiple Sclerosis in 2018. Was on Enebral 2018 but seemed to exacerbate the MS. The doctor took me off it but never suggested anything else. I need something as I'm not on anything at all but I'm so much worse and spend half the week lying on my side. I can't hold myself upright for long. I live on a small Island with generic consultants as not enough people with these illnesses to warrant cost of specialists and I have only had one MRI in 2015. Can you suggest something that might be good with both diseases please? Thank you for the video it is very informative, well my only source of information so thank you again. (EDIT) I wonder if I am allowed to be referred from Channel Islands to the UK as specialists, such as yourselves, may be able to help more?

[@NASSCentral]

Hi, we have some more information about different medications here: nass.co.uk/managing-my-as/medication/ Also some advice on non-medication pain management: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipmWYXqcjKuebsU In terms of accessing other doctors, I recommend giving our Helpline a call on 020 8741 1515 (Mon-Fri, 10-4) or emailing [e-mail] I hope that's helpful ~Zoë

[@NASSCentral]

Hi, in reply to your edit, it depends on which Channel Island you're on and what the health service is there (e.g. if it's NHS). As far as we're aware, people with MS aren't able to take anti-TNF medication, such as Enbrel. It can be helpful to speak to your neurologist and ask them what medications for AS they would be happy for you to have, then you can relay this information to your rheumatologist. Zoë

[@citizenBR100]

Seeing this now. Have you been able to see a doctor in England? Have you solved your problem? Sorry to ask. I was curious due to the difficulties you mentioned. I hope NASS has helped you or that you might have found help elsewhere. Are you sure of your 2 diagnosis? If you said there are rather general practicioners on your island (which is it by the way?). Can't you go to England? I know in the UK it's public health system. But can't you pay for a visit to a rheumatologist? Or maybe NASS doctors could help at least to confirm your diagnosis and start your treatment How does cold weather affect your AS? Have you thought of moving to another warmer country? Good luck.