The Saitek profiler runs in the background, profiles usually have the AH-keys mapped to joystick-buttons.. Or at least that's how I've set my X45 up. Meaning that normal keyboard commands still work.
You'll have to install the Saitek Profiler when you're installing your joystick - sorry, I don't know how that happens with the X52, but with X45 you had to choose "advanced" from the setup to get the profiler. Maybe someone with X52 can tell you how it's done...
Anyway, here's a
link to Eagler's X52-profile. Load that in your Saitek-software (or edit it to suit your needs), then you'll only have to check that you have the right joystick & axis in AH-stick selection.