I think you are making the right decision. You have tried hard to do it alternative, and you are going to end up with a lot of crippling deformities if you don't act. Sulfasalazine is a good drug, I hope it works for you.

I hope you have success - your attitude is great!

Actually don't think of it as surrender, your fighting it! And you will win!

=)

Lin

Brava for coming to a point of acceptance. We have RA regardless of what we think, feel, or believe about it.

Hi No morera, I think there is no shame in saying one needs help with this disease. It took me a while to realize that RA is, has, and will change my life. It is what it is. I have been through so many different DMArds and biologics till it isn't funny, but whatever helps and makes me feel better is what it will be. Hope things work out for you with the medications you are taking.

You will know what is the right action for you. I had problems for years before the RA diagnosis, and medications had been sugested to me that I was not willing to try because of the listed potential side effects. We all need the evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of our selections. This is not a static equation, the conditions change and we may have to alter our choices. I was finally diagnosed with RA at the age of 57, and the long term potential negative side effects of medications became much less of a concern than it was at the age of 35. I was lucky as I did not have a lot of damage durring my non action period. Good luck with your course of action.
Matt

I'm glad you didn't let your pride get in the way of saving your body from joint damage. I think we have all gone through those steps before getting on the meds. My doctor told me that most people don't get all those side effects. If one person gets a side effect they have to list it. Many people don't get many side effects. I tried Sulfasalazine and it did not agree with my stomach. Then tried Arava and it made my sick and dizzy. MTX did not agree with my stomach. When I tried Enbrel the only side effect I had was the bump at the injection site. I felt like my RA was gone.

Good luck, I really hope that the sulpha works for you. I don't like taking anything for my RA either. Tried MTX and it helped but I think it was a bit too strong for me... now I'm trying Plaquenil and I'm okay with that, but all the others scare me... I will take them if I have to though. Keep us updated.

Aahh the surrender...I stuck my white flag up this fall, after creating a bunch of my own follies by not taking my medications and believing in mind over matter.

We all move along the continuum in terms of believing and agreeing to these toxic medications and the crooked joints that curse us. I have joined the ranks of those on polypharmaceuticl agents and march along, trying to keep going, for this is no other alternative is there?

Just try to be kind to yourself and do what feels peaceful. But that being said, I was crying at my computer terminal at work yesterday as I listened to Bob Seger on you tube as I typed a proposal..just aching to be young again and whole, no disease and no physical limitations. Some days it really is just sad to have RA.