Posted 9/23/2015 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Alice is spot on. I've been where you are and I stopped taking meds and had a huge flare up. Couldn't walk or work it was misery plain and simple. When I think quality of life I think meds not the other way around anymore. The alternative is simple for me; a horrible quality of life.
At times I read about miracle cure people who through some diet seem to have miraculous recoveries and I can't help but wonder if they actually have RA. Ive tried about every diet I have read of and the only thing that seemed to help was fasting for 3 days. My inflammation lessened quite a bit and I found some foods that were contributing to my inflammation which I no longer eat.
So far as joint deformity I can tell you that a few years back I had to stop taking Enbrel due to an allergic reaction I developed over years and I flared up very badly. My hands in a period of 2 months began to deform until one day I realized how crooked my fingers were. It happened fast for me, much faster than I expected. I wouldn't recommend stopping treatment. I do things to help supplement like accupuncture or spinal alignment and these do seem to help but there is no way I would consider stopping meds with test results that high. Those results mean that you have a very active disease at this time and no treatment is not a great option but your mileage may vary of course. I would be looking at bilologics, Im surprised that your Doctor has not suggested them.
I know how you feel but don't give up. RA is certainly no fun and makes each day a struggle at times. Hang in there and I hope you feel better soon.