What is remission??

Does remission mean your pain is stopped from your meds as long as you keep taking them? Or is it you don't need your meds anymore?? How does one know they are in remission? I know DUH....what can i say.....

Much love to all....

There's an interesting article about the different definitions of remission in RA here:

http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-remission/

Well did some reading on rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-remission,looks like this question of remission is up in the air. Some say yes with meds,some say this and that. Wish they would find a cure and then wonder do we just not matter that research $$$$ is not finding a cure? I know other dieases are in the same boat,but ouchie this hurts us. Wonder if a doctor understands this pain? I think not unless you have this you can yell it out to the world and try to explain the pain best you can...but do they really get it?? So right now I feel like the tin man/ women and I want an oil can to pour in my knees so I can move without the pain. Boy one day your feeling great and then BAM it's back saying "hows that feel" "hurts does't it?" So I'm off to see the wizard Wed...sorry I can't wear my red shoes...

Much love to all...

MiMi

Thanks Chartreux
Staying on my Remicade and go Wed. for another round. It works for me but seems to last only 4 weeks and I go every 5 weeks. Maybe this time I can go longer,but those 4 week are pain free so I'm happy. I have not been called or seen by my RA doctor in two months?? But really can't wait for my infusion,feels like I'm waiting for Christmas day...that's kinda sick in it's self...What a sorry life that is to say such a thing,I know. Just wanting to open that gift so the pain goes away...

Much love to all

MiMi

'Ms, how did you know you were in remission? I think I would know, cause if I skip even one dose of anything I have a flare. I am always on the edge with lowest possible meds and still trying to drop the prednisone further. Is that how you knew..you just stopped having pain and swelling, or was there a test? I have pretty much given into the idea that I will have pain from RA and be on meds every day for rest of my life. May be not???
Beth

Yes! The pain, swelling and fatigue disappeared for each remission, the last time for almost 5 years. I call that remission even though I was still on lowered meds Plus I didn't need Prednisone. For the past 9.5 years, I have been in pain almost every day. Sometimes it's mild, bearable, other days I can barely move until my drugs kick in to make it bareable or the occasional half day of actually feeling well. I am taking low dose Prednisone, I do need more but I don't want to take more.

I took my first shot of Actemra(we're trying it again), in January. Unfortunately, I got a stubborn flu a few days later, so I haven't been able to take the next injection yet.

Yes Beth, there is always hope.

I'm glad that you still have your smiley on MiMi. I try to smile and find something funny to laugh about every day. It keeps me half sane anyways. :) Good luck tomorrow!

LOL! Having a big black bird in the house isn't that far fetched. I had opened the window one summer night, some years ago. Evidently, I had hit the latch by mistake and the screen was half open, unknown to me. The next morning I was sitting at the kitchen table eating half a bowl of Special K. Darn, if a small bird didn't swiftly fly around the corner, hit the box of cereal and knocked it over on the table. Scared the bejeebers outta me. :)

I didn't have much problem with MTX through the years except for hair thinning and a bit of nausea UNTIL 2013. I had lost most of my muscle mass everywhere, I lost 20 pounds, extreme fatigue and I couldn't lift much more than 2 pounds. I felt and looked like death warmed over. My Rheumy saw me and took me off the MTX and Rituxan right there. Perhaps it was the combination of both meds or just a bad lot of MTX.

Anyways, I sure hope that you will be feeling better for the full span of the Remicade.

So had my infusion yesterday. I woke up sick anyway feeling like i was going to puke but went in anyway. Then found my weight is getting higher!!! WHAT??? I have been low carbing it for two weeks?! Anyway they gave me 230mg instead of 200,going by weight!! I came home sick as a dog wanting to puke but couldn't. I see my reg doctor tomorrow and RA doc said he can take the blood work... My reg doc put me on Klianipin (can't spell the darn pill!! ) 1 mg three times aday for the past year. If you can spell it look it up not a good drug to be on and very hard to get off. I asked him last month can I get off this and get on Xanax? He said not with such a hi dose your on!!! Well he put me on this in the first place and I said so once a month I have to come in for a refill? yes he said...I said sooooo you are more or less my drug dealer He didn't like that ....and this drug causes weight gain also...so does Remicade. I look both up..Stevie Nicks was on Klaipin (still trying to spell it ) said she had to go to hosp. for 47 days to get off and if was like being thrown into hell. Look it up and read about her or any story on this med...Well thanks for the ear...

Much love to all...
MiMi

Tjones, So sorry you are having to deal with this at such a young age! I hope you get the chance to test the pregnancy theory and I hope it works for you. Best wishes!