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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 10/30/2012 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
I got diagnosed with RA 11 months ago. I had a +ve Rh factor in my blood test and some of my finger joints are swollen. (my blood tests were very low in the other indicators) They wanted to give me Methotrexate but I wasn't keen, so I have not been on any medication. i have no pain and I have only slight reduction in mobility in my finger joints, but this never limits anything that I do ( apart from getting the lids off tightly fitting jars and bottles). i am fit and very active and in my sport in which I use my hands a lot and this never affects me. Do I really have Ra? Am I being stupid by not going on medication? My sister who is a professor in dietetics says keep off the drugs and sort out your diet which I have ( glucosamine, chrondroitin, omega3, green lipped mussel). Any comments would be really helpful.
Posted 10/30/2012 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
With RA joint damage is progressive.  If you have inflamation in your hands and don't  treat it you face the possibility of significant damage that is not really repairable later.

You are RF positive and have inflamation I really think you should talk to your doctor and get some meds.

Posted 10/30/2012 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
RA is a progressive disease. It is destroying your joints. It can also , on occasion, affect the lungs and heart. A healthy diet is a very good thing, and essential when battling a chronic disease; however, there is not any evidence that it can alter the course of RA. RA is not curable. The goal is to control it. Methotrexate is in a class of drugs called DMARDs ( disease modifying anti-rheumetic drugs) and they are used to slow down the progression of RA. Some of us also take a biologic, such as Embrel, Humira or Orencia. I was undiagnosed for years, and so I have permanent damage to my joints. I would suggest you find a rheumatologist you can trust, and discus your medication options. I know it is scary at first. I always said I didn't want to take a biologic, but without biologics and MTX and all the other drugs I take, I would be unable to function at all. Please reconsider and find a good doc who will discuss your options re: RA treatment.
Posted 10/31/2012 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Oatsandbeans, I was just logging on to ask a similar question when I saw your post. I am seronegative and my symptoms fluctuate. If I get enough sleep, like 9 hours, mine pretty much stays in remission. I also have to keep a low sodium, no MSG, diet. Plaquenil didn't work for me, prednisone did and I have since moved and am waiting for my records to get to my new rheumy so they can call me for an apt. For me, unless some damage is showing up on x-rays or an MRI, I am not going to take any meds for now. However, if it did, I'd give the meds a go. Being seronegative and going in and out of flares and remissions without any meds, I wonder if I truly have it. I saw a very good, experienced Dr. at the mayo clinic who thought I had it. Pretty much all my joints hurt me and there is some family history. I also have another auto immune disease. I wish I had an answer for you but that's my story. I'll probably post again soon when I see the new Dr. good luck to you.
Posted 10/31/2012 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others on this issue, go and talk with a good RA doctor about seeing if you can try methotrexate.
Give this medicine a try to see if it can help you, you don't want damage in your joint later down the line...on some things you can stay off medicines for, but RA is not one of them, be more pro active in your care, vitamins can help but will not stave off RA...
Prayers and well wishes...
Posted 10/31/2012 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
The problem that I have with taking methotrexate or anything else is how do I monitor if it is doing anything? I f i had been on it for the last 11 months I would have assumed that the last year of zero pain and no problems were due to the drugs. I do understand the strategy of getting in early with drugs to stop joint damage but I am struggling with this. I am not a conspiracy theorist but you can see that this approach is very good for the drug companies but possibly not always best for all individuals. I am a chemist so drugs per se dont really bother me, but in this case I am a bit wary, and possibly, I admit, stupid. Thanks for all the really good input on this, it is appreciated, keep it coming.
Posted 10/31/2012 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Speaking from experience, I can only say that I wish I had started on the TNF blockers much sooner.  I tried going it on my own just taking otc nsaids and now have permanent deformity in my hands.  Have had some problems even since starting the meds but they have kept me walking and functioning for the most part.   I would not wait too long to begin trying some of the drugs that are available.  Yes, they are scary but so is the thought of being in a wheelchair.

Good luck and take care

Alicat

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