I think it means bc the damage can be progressive if it is not under control. RA for me has gotten much much better bc I am now on Rxs that work for me. The pain is nothing like in the beginning.

What sunvalleygal said. The disease is progressive. The meds can help slow the progression. Increased damage brings increased pain. Swelling brings pain too. Not everyone flares. I'm one that doesn't. My pain & swelling could be elevated just because it's Thursday. That being said, I'm definitely not in a better place than I was 5yrs ago when diagnosed. I'm hopeful the new meds kick in soon & bring some relief.

The disease course entails many variables. Your labs & symptoms will help gauge the progress or lack thereof. This is the kind of journey you have to walk yourself to see where it takes you. Clinical remission is rare but not impossible.

Take care,
Emerald

Hey Pitt -

"Progressive" means that the trajectory of the disease has a constant in the BIG picture with lots of ups and downs along the way. It is sort of like a stock market trend -- the trend may have a constant general direction over a long period of time but there are fluctuations up and down in the short term. Progressive also means that there is no cure, that most damage cannot be reversed without invasive methods and that it gets worse over time.

As you know, I have had it for 20 years now and I still work and play pretty much full time. The meds have slowed the progression and my adaptations to my damage have allowed me to stay rather active. Fatigue is the biggest thing I struggle with. I have daily pain but over time even our brains adapt to pain and minimize it if it stays below a certain level.

That is just my take on the term!
Take care,
Kyle

as you can full see when you look around the rheumaology waiting room everyone is in a different phase of their progressive. i believe you are sill debating on treatment, no? (i can't rememebr this morning, no coffee yet) - but yes I am married to this disease until i exit this earth = though i prefer he kindler gentler adaptations I have made to the disease (veganism) I had to face the evil scripts sooner or later or I was going to lose ambulation and at that time work and in quick succession children, house, deck of cards (single mother). This was years ago.. talk about where you are today with your rheumatologist on next appointment. If you are still growing your family, be aggresive about the things you can do NOW, the things you want to do NOW.

happy weekend

Depot

I am still debating on treatment. I guess I am in the early stages where my pain is tolerable. Which is why I am worried about making myself sick from Meds. I see a chiropractor/nutritionalist who says he can help me. But I do not want to miss my "window of opportunity" either. I am just fearful, nervous and dont know what to do. I couldnt take Plaquenil, which it sounds like most have tolerated fairly well.

What is the severity of your RA? Mild, moderate, severe?
Realizing this can change I think it would factor into my choices for treatments.
I'm guessing most if not all are concerned about the impact treatments & meds will have on our bodies & health.
I know I was. Yet I could not handle the over all nastiness of RA.
Before my diagnosis Honestly thought I was loosing my mind.
Through the exhaustion, brain fog & pain there were days I could not think well enough to spit the words out. Felt like I was going to drop on the spot. The pain was & can be over whelming by itself. Factor in the rest & the medication becomes more tempting.

Then there's the damage RA can leave in it's path.
Preventive treatment or slowing down the progression is something that needs serious consideration.
Beside the joint damage there is the auto immune aspect.
I have a healthy respect for Chiros.
Had one diagnosis my spinal problems long before any other doctor.
With that said I would think long & hard about Chiropractors controlling this disease. As it's so complex & unpredictable.
I'd be curious to hear how successful treatment from a Chiro has been VS. Rhuemotogist. Be interesting as I do know they have success in many other areas.

My Rhuemotogist fully admits doctors specializing in it still do not fully understand RA. Why we flare like we do. Why the meds stop working, why one treatment works so well for one patient VS. Another............
Some have more control with diet, some go years without serious damage. You just never know.

When it goes on the rampage ( as I like to call it) the damage can occur quickly. These meds take time to work for many patients so this is a very important decision you have to make.
I wish you all the best.
Sammy