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...
After 7 weeks on no RA meds at all, my bloodwork is settling back to normal. The numbers that sent me to an oncologist were not caused by Leukemia, but by Enbrel. That's GREAT NEWS! Here's my question to y'all: Durin my 7 week hiatus, I had more good days than bad. When I see my rheumy on Friday, instead of discussing what I can take next (as MTX, Humira and Enbrel are all off the table now), what if I suggest taking nothing at all? I understand that damage MAY still be occuring, even though I'm feeling pretty good. That's why I'm undecided. What would YOU do?
But only you know how you feel. If you do go off, make sure to get your hands and feet xrayed regularly.
One final thing, I met a woman who found a diet that put her in remission for 10 years. She did get the xrays. Then she started having internal issues, and the RA had damaged her heart, lungs, kidneys and liver. She said had she been warned, she would have stayed on basic meds even though she didn't have joint flares. Let us know what you decide, and what your doctor says.
I did exactly what you are considering.
I seem to have an intolerance to most all of the drugs that I have been prescribed. For the past two years I have tried to treat the RA with Diet. It works better than any medication that I Have tried but it is extremely difficult to be so strict all of the time. Every time that I cheat …. I pay for it.
Even with the strict diet I take 600-800 mg's of Advil most every day. This has worked well for a while but I just turned 50 and the hot humid weather is killing me. My Dr. wants me to start on Plaquenil again which, I will probably try.
My doctor encouraged the diet as long as we did regular blood work and x-rays. I am glad that I did this. I felt better than I have in years and I learned to eat much healthier. Your body your decision.
I'm good with this. I could be one of the lucky ones!