Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

How long? 3 years

Treatments that have worked for me? Methotrexate in combination with Sulfasalazine and Prednisone.

Later switched to: Serracor-NK, Low Dose Naltrexone (Off of all other drugs and feeling much better)

How long before I had joint damage? Four months. Nothing noticeable except on x-rays...joint deterioration, no deformation as of yet. Could have been from constant prednisone use.

4 years, and this will probably be the longest year of my life, too, although not necessarily for the same reasons.

I have some joint damage (thumbs and right pinky), but that came early (2005 and 2006).

I've had good results with just about all drugs, until I react badly to them. This includes MTX, Remicade and Rituxan. I stopped others (Arava, sulfasalazine, Plaquenil) before the verdict was in, because of side effects.

I've been on Rituxan for a full year, but it appears that I've reacted badly to it, wth a pretty severe rash, which up to now, has been poorly diagnosed. I hope to know what it is in the next couple of weeks, but if I can't stop the rash, I have to stop the Rituxan, I think.

My point here is that I was sailing along, virtually free from RA, when along comes a monkey wrench (where did that come from?) to screw things up.

No guarantees, my dear, but don't lose hope. And work hard to maintain a cooperating relationship with your rheumatologist, to keep beating this didsease back.

(this is a positive story, despite the stink)

I was officially diagnosed in April of this year, although I had symptoms probably going back a few years. As of yet, I have no joint damage. I started on prednisone and have been on a low dose for 2 months. It has helped. I just took my first injection of Enbrel today. I am to wean off the prednisone starting in 3 weeks. She is hoping that if my body responds well to the Enbrel, she will lower the dose.

Initially injectable MTX along with low dose antibotic theraphy worked well. I even went into a remission for several years on this treatment. But it stopped working and my RD says I now have severe RA and after 12 years with no deformities they are coming out in droves, mostly in the form of ugly RA nodules everywhere. MY GP says since RA is a systemic illness that it is possible these nodules are growing on my organs without my knowledge. Let me say I have had RA for 12 years, and it has been within the last year that I have seen so many in my body. Possibly if you are on the biologics early you can prevent this from occuring. Biologics were not even an option for me when I was diagnosed they are that new. Every person is different, and hopefully you can control your RA now well enough to not have problems in the future. Good luck, marcia

I have had RA for almost 15 years!

Like Bizemomm, I have not been on Biologics...like she said, they were not available when I was first diagnosed, and now for personal health reasons, I choose not to go on them.

I have been on various NSAIDs but for past several years have been on Relafen. The DMARD I am on is Plaquenil, and I have been on that since the beginning. I also take prednisone when I have bad flares.

I do have joint damage in my hands, wrists, feet and hips. Other than slight deformity of my toes, no other visible deformity.

I do also have a few nodules... and as Bizemomm mentioned, they can form on internal organs. I developed one in my lung which had my doctors and myself worried initially, but now we believe it is just an RA nodule.

Hi Michic, this is a good thread and good questions. I have had RA for the past 6 and 1/2 years and it has progressed quickly. I am currently on Orencia IV and have been for about 2 and 1/2 years,Plaquenil, Arava,tramadol for pain, and arthrotec. I have been through Humira,Remicaide,Enbrel, Celebrex, MTX PO and IM, Prednisone of various doses. I don not have joint damage. The diagnosis was caught early and I was started on biologics early. I am like you. I too wonder what the future holds...

Hello---
I have had RA for 6+ years. I have found that Enbrel was working really well by itself, but recently have added Celebrex daily back into the mix. With the occasional Tylenol too.
I have some major joint damage in both jaw joints. But this has been an issue for 11 years.

Have had RA for almost 20 years! I'm the winner ... LOL.

Take Humira and Naproxen. Have helped with joint pain but fatigue still a major factor.

Both elbows are noticeably crooked. That happened a couple of years in but no other deformities ... just some pain and stiffness.

Have had some remissions during those years using medicine and prayer.

You learn your limitations and adjust accordingly.

Let's hope for a miracle cure soon !

I was just dxd in April 09 but I am sure I have had RA for at least a year now.

No joint damage, thank goodness. I am on Plaquenil, Naprelan, and prenisone.

My rheumy says I am fortunate to have been diagnosed in the early stages and my prognosis is good. Keeping the hopes up that with all the biologics out there that I will not have joint deformities.

Our new miracle drug could be right around the corner kids!

Jess

Formally diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. I have had symptoms for 8 years. I also have OA and Sjogrens' syndrome. I have deformity in my toes, feet, and ankles. Also have slight deformities in thumbs and pinky fingers. At this time I am on MTX, Humira, and Pred. I will be switching back to Enbrel very soon since the Humira is not working for me.