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...
Hi all, Ive posted a few times, and am interested in getting your thoughts.
I was diagnosed in July last year, got things under control quickly with mtx and plaquenil, as well as some dietary changes. Ive been symptom free since September, and thrilled. I just had MRIs done on my wrists as part of a study my rheumy was interested in. Just got back from my appt with her, and to both of our surprise, my right wrist really active. Moderate to severe synovitis and several erosions. Go figure other than feeling a bit stiff when I do yoga or something not so smart like bowling with the kids this weekend it seems fine, and all my blood work is well within normal range (and had been out of whack when I was diagnosed).
So now she and I are considering adding a biologic. I need to do my research, I know so many of you are on them, but I skim over as it wasnt applicable before. Seems like a difficult decision to add such a big drug when I feel great, and barely notice anything with this wrist. But the more she reads about and speaks with colleagues about using ultrasound and MRI as more advanced tools to monitor disease activity and change treatment, she is thinking about adding another drug, given that Im 37, and a little bit of damage each year can add up to a lot.
Have any of you been through this? Anyone using ultrasound or MRI to track synovitis? Im in Canada and there arent a lot of places that do this, so was lucky to get it done, though now its presented me with more questions...
Im nervous about the biologics because of their side effects. Is slowing down joint erosion in one wrist worth it? Shes open to me taking any of the biologics, other than Remicade, saying I dont need that one.
Thought Id throw it out to all of you and see if anyone has thoughts/reactions.
Thanks, Achymom
I was diagnosed in July last year, got things under control quickly with mtx and plaquenil, as well as some dietary changes. Ive been symptom free since September, and thrilled. I just had MRIs done on my wrists as part of a study my rheumy was interested in. Just got back from my appt with her, and to both of our surprise, my right wrist really active. Moderate to severe synovitis and several erosions. Go figure other than feeling a bit stiff when I do yoga or something not so smart like bowling with the kids this weekend it seems fine, and all my blood work is well within normal range (and had been out of whack when I was diagnosed).
So now she and I are considering adding a biologic. I need to do my research, I know so many of you are on them, but I skim over as it wasnt applicable before. Seems like a difficult decision to add such a big drug when I feel great, and barely notice anything with this wrist. But the more she reads about and speaks with colleagues about using ultrasound and MRI as more advanced tools to monitor disease activity and change treatment, she is thinking about adding another drug, given that Im 37, and a little bit of damage each year can add up to a lot.
Have any of you been through this? Anyone using ultrasound or MRI to track synovitis? Im in Canada and there arent a lot of places that do this, so was lucky to get it done, though now its presented me with more questions...
Im nervous about the biologics because of their side effects. Is slowing down joint erosion in one wrist worth it? Shes open to me taking any of the biologics, other than Remicade, saying I dont need that one.
Thought Id throw it out to all of you and see if anyone has thoughts/reactions.
Thanks, Achymom
Another thought: Did you have studies done on any other joints? If not, the RA is probably active in more joints than you can imagine.
Good luck in your decision.
do not hesitate to move forward, your so young and joint damage would be a shame if you can help prevent it. I was on Embrel for the first year with no side effect, then when it stopped working I'm now on Remicade
best of luck to you
hugs sandi
I understand your hesitation about starting on a biologic. I was so anti-medicine before being diagnosed. I look up every medicine that is prescribed to me before I ever take it. Just like daizy8 said, if it is active in one joint it is probably active in many more. You are too young to let this go untreated and end up immobile. The only side effects that I have ever had from the biologics were sinus infections.
Sorry if this was unorganized and I seemed to be rambling, it's been a long day.
Good luck to you and keep up posted on your decision.
iHateRA - how do you like Simponi? That's the one she mentioned first for me (I think it's taken less frequently?) Though she thought any tnf blockers would be fine. I appreciate that she's letting me weigh in on the treatment options - but I'm far from an expert on which drug would be best with the fewest side effects. I'll keep you posted.
and I agree with Daizy, that if you have erosions on your wrist, chances are you have them other places that aren't giving you any trouble at the moment also, so yes, you'd want a biologic to slow down progression of your disease.
there really is no cut and dried rule which one to go on. Most go on a TNF (Enbrel, Humira, Remicade) . I don't know why your rheumy was adverse to Remicade right off, as those who don't want to self inject usually go on Remicade to start. I chose Enbrel. It worked for a while, then went to Humira, and eventually failed that. Now I'm on Orencia infusions.
Just remember what works for one doesn't always work for another. Your RA is different than mine and someone else's! Weird disease it is!
Good luck!!
Good luck to you.