Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Bent Fingers, Toes, Feet etc...

bigiblue
bigiblue
I have a question. Isn't the who;e point of these Dmard's and Boi's to stop the inflammation so the progression of the bent Bones doesn't happen? Then why are there so many people still getting the bent bones anyway. I know a few people who have been on these drugs for quite sometime, but do have their hands bend a little outward and also their feet? Are there any of you who have that also? My Dr. said it would be about 10 years before my bones could turn, but it could also be sooner without the drugs.I'm just curious.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think DMARD's are meant to slow the progression, and unfortunately, usually fall short of stopping it. "Disease modifying" is the operative phrase.

I'm sure most have seen, and some unfortunately have experienced, what RA can do if unchecked. I've been taking DMARD's for most of 3.5 years, and have very few permanent deformities, and when my drug of choice is working, I have practically no disability or symptoms. I have one finger that rolls outward, and a couple that are slowly developing alignment problems. I have a neuroma on my left foot, which might have been caused by RA, since my toes and feet are some of the first joints to be involved in RA inflammation.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i have been noticing nodules forming, but not bent bones. i guess we are just lucky to slow this stuff down! good luck deby
deleted_user
deleted_user
ive taken all kinds of stuff since i first got diagnosed. i went about 3 mths before i got any help, but have been on my meds going on three yrs now. i have bone nodules and bumps and can see some bending in my fingers. i too wonder why? what will it take to keep the damage from happening? all i do know, is that before the meds i coulnt even get out of bed. i rolled onto my sides and so forth. so since i do have a disease, i know i will never be the same nor normal again. i have kinda come to terms with that. but i can go on with "a" day. one day at a time! i might not be 100% but im here, so im thankful.