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...
I was diagnosed with RA in November and placed on 200 mg Plaquenil once a day. After about 6 weeks I noticed a reduction in pain, stiffness and an increase in energy. I still have tender joints, fagitue, and stiffness but they are only about 50% of what they were before the meds. This week I went to for my follow up appointment. I asked my Dr. If I would be symptom free in the future when the Plaqunil build up in my system. He smiled and shook his head no. I do not seem to have an aggressive form of RA at this time. Am I silly to think I could have a treatment that would stop the symptoms? Should I see another Dr.? The next nearest one is over 100 miles away from me. I would welcome some advice from those of you that have been treated. Thank you!
Plaquenil is only the first and mildest RA med. If you are flared, then you will get damage, even if it is at a slower rate.
I think you need to consult with the local doc first. But if he is willing to just let you sit where you are, then it is worth the 100 mile trips. My stupid doctors did nothing for me for years, until I really started complaining long and hard. I was incapacitated for 7 years, before I finally got on a good med combo.
Plus hitting it hard in the beginning, even if you are mild, can prevent the disease from getting a lot worse. I wish someone had told me these things back in the day!
You can treat it more aggressively with your doctor's consent. If your RA is mild enough that it's not erosive, you can also keep on the same path you are.
Choosing to introduce biologics or additional DMARDS can improve your symptoms and possibly ensure your disease slows down. The price for that is additional immune suppression and the possibility of side effects. Only you and your doctor can navigate this.
I have a more severe form of RA (well, it's predicted to be but I've had no erosions at all so far but my anti-ccp is 466). At first I chose the aggressive route and my liver rejected Enbrel twice. That was an incredibly rare side effect, but that's what happened. I went off all drugs for two years, restarted Enbrel and again the liver enzymes went up. On some level, I wish I had stuck with just methotrexate as I was about 70% better. On another level, I did get to experience full remission while on Enbrel and it was amazing.
So - it's really what you decide and what your doctor will go for. Best of luck!
But for some, RA can be very mild. I have a friend(and she's here at DS) who has Ra in 3 finger joints and that is all. The only thing she uses is some ibuprofen and that is all. She had no idea that RA could kill someone. Had it for over 30 years this way.
But RA continues despite the lack of pain...it does it's work insidiously. Or for most here....not so insidiously....with great pain and fatigue. These new biologic drugs have been a real savior but all they've been able to do is put people in remission for up to 3 years. I'm out of my remission. It was a nice 3 years.
Research goes on and the goal is a cure. But not yet. So enjoy the relief and keep your doc informed so that if or when your RA gets worse, you can up the dose(I started on 400mgs of Plaquenil a day) or try another drug.
gentle hugs.........Jen
Make sure you have a doctor that listens to you and doesn't shoot down your questions/ideas.