Guest guest Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 I'd like to know the answer to that one myself. I remember when I was only 17 a doctor then told me I had muscular rheumatism, then in my late 20's to thirties the doctor I had then told me my body was attacking itself, and started treating me for arthritis, I had a lot of pain during these times, but no one ever used the word RA, then a couple of years ago,I began hurting terribly again, and unfortuantely the doctor I had then felt all women suffered from anxiety and nothing else could possibly be their problem, therefore he never checked anything, let me say here he is my X doctor. ..I switched doctors a few months ago, and they immediately told me they thought I had RA. The swelling, and nodules, ect.. but felt there were other things goin on also. After blood work and x ray of hands and low back, she said blood work was good, and only wrist and the left thumb showed narrowing, but that was all. Im stumped, dont know if I do or not have it at this point. I go back in Sept. Let me know if you get answers on the remission thing, thanks. in MO ____________________________________________________ Start your day with - make it your home page http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2005 Report Share Posted August 19, 2005 I'd like to know the answer to that one myself. I remember when I was only 17 a doctor then told me I had muscular rheumatism, then in my late 20's to thirties the doctor I had then told me my body was attacking itself, and started treating me for arthritis, I had a lot of pain during these times, but no one ever used the word RA, then a couple of years ago,I began hurting terribly again, and unfortuantely the doctor I had then felt all women suffered from anxiety and nothing else could possibly be their problem, therefore he never checked anything, let me say here he is my X doctor. ..I switched doctors a few months ago, and they immediately told me they thought I had RA. The swelling, and nodules, ect.. but felt there were other things goin on also. After blood work and x ray of hands and low back, she said blood work was good, and only wrist and the left thumb showed narrowing, but that was all. Im stumped, dont know if I do or not have it at this point. I go back in Sept. Let me know if you get answers on the remission thing, thanks. in MO ____________________________________________________ Start your day with - make it your home page http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Kathe, I'm assuming your new rheumatologist has your entire medical record, right? The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was your RF very high in the past? Did any previous x-rays ever show RA? Was there significant swelling in the joints that are typically affected by RA? Did you ever have any rheumatoid nodules? Did you have morning stiffness that lasted more than an hour? What were the reasons that your previous rheumatologists said you had RA? It would be very uncommon for true RA to disappear after 6 years, but it wouldn't be unusual to be in a drug-induced remission. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] RA remission? > > Hi everyone: > > I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she > ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and blood > work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA in my > thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. My > blood work, after having had a positive RA factor and > ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three months > ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. > > She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, and > is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg tabs > weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and then 2 > tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see what > happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and Mobic. > She says that since the RA factor is negative and she > cannot see any swelling in any joints, that perhaps > either my RA is in remission, or under very good > control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA are > her only diagoses at this time. > > What I want to know is whether or not RA can go into > remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? > Could it be that because of the medications I have > been on that it is under such good control that the > blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I have > been doing very well joint-wise for about three to six > months now, with just generalized muscle pain and > joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the > Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a remission > caused by the medications? > > She says that she will be able to know more with my > reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 mg. > weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel addition > is really helping. If I have increasing joint pain > and swelling, she says that she will feel that I do > have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, but I > do like the doctor and she is very thorough. > > So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of > RA either going away, or being in remission? All > replies will be greatly appreciated - > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Kathe, I'm assuming your new rheumatologist has your entire medical record, right? The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was your RF very high in the past? Did any previous x-rays ever show RA? Was there significant swelling in the joints that are typically affected by RA? Did you ever have any rheumatoid nodules? Did you have morning stiffness that lasted more than an hour? What were the reasons that your previous rheumatologists said you had RA? It would be very uncommon for true RA to disappear after 6 years, but it wouldn't be unusual to be in a drug-induced remission. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] RA remission? > > Hi everyone: > > I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she > ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and blood > work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA in my > thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. My > blood work, after having had a positive RA factor and > ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three months > ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. > > She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, and > is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg tabs > weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and then 2 > tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see what > happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and Mobic. > She says that since the RA factor is negative and she > cannot see any swelling in any joints, that perhaps > either my RA is in remission, or under very good > control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA are > her only diagoses at this time. > > What I want to know is whether or not RA can go into > remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? > Could it be that because of the medications I have > been on that it is under such good control that the > blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I have > been doing very well joint-wise for about three to six > months now, with just generalized muscle pain and > joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the > Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a remission > caused by the medications? > > She says that she will be able to know more with my > reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 mg. > weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel addition > is really helping. If I have increasing joint pain > and swelling, she says that she will feel that I do > have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, but I > do like the doctor and she is very thorough. > > So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of > RA either going away, or being in remission? All > replies will be greatly appreciated - > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 > > Hi everyone: > So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of > RA either going away, or being in remission? -------------------------------------------------------- Oh, yes! A certain (small) percentage of RA cases do go into remission. Remissions can be long or short lasting, and some are permanent. Some individuals only stay in remission with drug therapy. You've got what I'm hoping for. Celebrate!!! Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 > > Hi everyone: > So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of > RA either going away, or being in remission? -------------------------------------------------------- Oh, yes! A certain (small) percentage of RA cases do go into remission. Remissions can be long or short lasting, and some are permanent. Some individuals only stay in remission with drug therapy. You've got what I'm hoping for. Celebrate!!! Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 My doctor tells me that RA can go into Remission, but eventually will come back, so enjoy the remission!!! Im happy for you that it is so much better, sorry to hear about the OA in the thumbs and toes. Cortnee Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...> wrote: Hi everyone: I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and blood work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA in my thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. My blood work, after having had a positive RA factor and ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three months ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, and is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg tabs weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and then 2 tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see what happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and Mobic. She says that since the RA factor is negative and she cannot see any swelling in any joints, that perhaps either my RA is in remission, or under very good control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA are her only diagoses at this time. What I want to know is whether or not RA can go into remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? Could it be that because of the medications I have been on that it is under such good control that the blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I have been doing very well joint-wise for about three to six months now, with just generalized muscle pain and joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a remission caused by the medications? She says that she will be able to know more with my reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 mg. weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel addition is really helping. If I have increasing joint pain and swelling, she says that she will feel that I do have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, but I do like the doctor and she is very thorough. So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of RA either going away, or being in remission? All replies will be greatly appreciated - Kathe in CA Kathe in CA ____________________________________________________ Start your day with - make it your home page http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 My doctor tells me that RA can go into Remission, but eventually will come back, so enjoy the remission!!! Im happy for you that it is so much better, sorry to hear about the OA in the thumbs and toes. Cortnee Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...> wrote: Hi everyone: I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and blood work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA in my thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. My blood work, after having had a positive RA factor and ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three months ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, and is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg tabs weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and then 2 tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see what happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and Mobic. She says that since the RA factor is negative and she cannot see any swelling in any joints, that perhaps either my RA is in remission, or under very good control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA are her only diagoses at this time. What I want to know is whether or not RA can go into remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? Could it be that because of the medications I have been on that it is under such good control that the blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I have been doing very well joint-wise for about three to six months now, with just generalized muscle pain and joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a remission caused by the medications? She says that she will be able to know more with my reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 mg. weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel addition is really helping. If I have increasing joint pain and swelling, she says that she will feel that I do have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, but I do like the doctor and she is very thorough. So, to all of you out there, is there a possibility of RA either going away, or being in remission? All replies will be greatly appreciated - Kathe in CA Kathe in CA ____________________________________________________ Start your day with - make it your home page http://www./r/hs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 After I had been on Arava for a while, my rheumy ordered a repeat of Sed rate and CRP. Both had returned to normal. He said the RF factor was not as good an indication of disease activity, so that was not done. But my RA had certainly not disappeared; it was just under control. Sue On Saturday, August 20, 2005, at 10:40 AM, wrote: > The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and > x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was > your RF > very high in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 After I had been on Arava for a while, my rheumy ordered a repeat of Sed rate and CRP. Both had returned to normal. He said the RF factor was not as good an indication of disease activity, so that was not done. But my RA had certainly not disappeared; it was just under control. Sue On Saturday, August 20, 2005, at 10:40 AM, wrote: > The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and > x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was > your RF > very high in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi, Sue. I was asking Kathe about her RF history because her original diagnosis has come into question. It's true that many rheumatologists don't use it to monitor disease activity. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] RA remission? > After I had been on Arava for a while, my rheumy ordered a repeat of > Sed rate and CRP. Both had returned to normal. He said the RF factor > was not as good an indication of disease activity, so that was not > done. But my RA had certainly not disappeared; it was just under > control. Sue > > On Saturday, August 20, 2005, at 10:40 AM, wrote: > >> The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and >> x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was >> your RF >> very high in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi, Sue. I was asking Kathe about her RF history because her original diagnosis has come into question. It's true that many rheumatologists don't use it to monitor disease activity. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] RA remission? > After I had been on Arava for a while, my rheumy ordered a repeat of > Sed rate and CRP. Both had returned to normal. He said the RF factor > was not as good an indication of disease activity, so that was not > done. But my RA had certainly not disappeared; it was just under > control. Sue > > On Saturday, August 20, 2005, at 10:40 AM, wrote: > >> The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical presentation and >> x-rays, especially if the results were borderline positive. Or was >> your RF >> very high in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi : When I went to my doctor for the first flare, my fingers and hands were very swollen, hot, and extremely painful. This happened literally overnight - the day before I had a very painful thumbs, but I was not too concerned about it. I could not grip or open my bottle of Motrin. I could not get dressed by myself or tie my shoes the next day. (Previously, I had been having pain and stiffness in my hands and fingers and wrists for quite a while, no swelling, but put it down to my making jewelry which worked my hands well, and my having been a medical transcriber for many years. I just put it down to " arthritis " .) My feet were also swollen during that first flare. My doctor put me on Prednisone and Motrin, and took blood work. The week following, when my blood work was positive for the RA factor and positive ANA and SED rate, she started me on Plaquenil in addition to the other meds. I cannot recall what the exact numbers were, but the way she talked it seemed not low, but not high, kind of in the middle range I guess. I took the Pred for about 3 months and then titered off and remained on the other two meds for about two years with good result. Prednisone on and off when needed. The fatigue has always been present, as well as stiffness lasting more than one hour in the mornings. More and more joints became involved with pain and stiffness, and more meds were tried until the Methotrexate and Arava started helping. My x-rays have been normal, only the OA now seen. My doctor never checked for RA factor again. Over the years, I have experienced swelling in my hands and fingers, and my feet, and heat in mainly my hands, elbows, wrists, ankles and feet. My hips are very painful at night. Stiffness is now down to about an hour or less after I get up most days, but usually at least one-half hour of hobbling. The fatigue has remained pretty constant, increasing when the pain does. I have no rheumatoid nodules. Because of my clinical presentation over the five and a half years I was treated by my first doctor, and blood work, my doctor diagnosed RA. My grandmother had RA and my grandfather had PA, so I have a family history of immune system disease. My second doctor continued her treatment program, only increasing the Mtx, and adding Trazadone and in the last three months, Enbrel. During my treatment, I have continued to have flares of pain with warmth and swelling, stiffness, less problems gripping and opening things, and severe fatigue. I'd do better, and then flare again. This is the first time I have felt " normal " - I am able to move around better, there is no swelling, and less pain and stiffness overall. I credit this to the Enbrel and Mtx working together. My current doctor does not have my first doctor's records as she moved out of the area and I am don't know where my records are now. Anyway, sorry for being so long, but that's about it in a nutshell. Personally, I do believe you can go into a drug induced remission, but I don't think the RA ever goes away entirely, and I don't know how I will do with the decrease and stopping of the Mtx, but we shall see. Remission, if that is what it is, I am enjoying for now. Kathe in CA --- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > Kathe, I'm assuming your new rheumatologist has your > entire medical record, > right? > > The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical > presentation and > x-rays, especially if the results were borderline > positive. Or was your RF > very high in the past? > > Did any previous x-rays ever show RA? Was there > significant swelling in the > joints that are typically affected by RA? Did you > ever have any rheumatoid > nodules? Did you have morning stiffness that lasted > more than an hour? What > were the reasons that your previous rheumatologists > said you had RA? > > It would be very uncommon for true RA to disappear > after 6 years, but it > wouldn't be unusual to be in a drug-induced > remission. > > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > [ ] RA remission? > > > > > > Hi everyone: > > > > I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she > > ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and > blood > > work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA > in my > > thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. > My > > blood work, after having had a positive RA factor > and > > ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three > months > > ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. > > > > She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, > and > > is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg > tabs > > weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and > then 2 > > tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see > what > > happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and > Mobic. > > She says that since the RA factor is negative and > she > > cannot see any swelling in any joints, that > perhaps > > either my RA is in remission, or under very good > > control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA > are > > her only diagoses at this time. > > > > What I want to know is whether or not RA can go > into > > remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? > > Could it be that because of the medications I have > > been on that it is under such good control that > the > > blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I > have > > been doing very well joint-wise for about three to > six > > months now, with just generalized muscle pain and > > joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the > > Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a > remission > > caused by the medications? > > > > She says that she will be able to know more with > my > > reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 > mg. > > weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel > addition > > is really helping. If I have increasing joint > pain > > and swelling, she says that she will feel that I > do > > have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, > but I > > do like the doctor and she is very thorough. > > > > So, to all of you out there, is there a > possibility of > > RA either going away, or being in remission? All > > replies will be greatly appreciated - > > > > Kathe in CA > Kathe in CA __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Hi : When I went to my doctor for the first flare, my fingers and hands were very swollen, hot, and extremely painful. This happened literally overnight - the day before I had a very painful thumbs, but I was not too concerned about it. I could not grip or open my bottle of Motrin. I could not get dressed by myself or tie my shoes the next day. (Previously, I had been having pain and stiffness in my hands and fingers and wrists for quite a while, no swelling, but put it down to my making jewelry which worked my hands well, and my having been a medical transcriber for many years. I just put it down to " arthritis " .) My feet were also swollen during that first flare. My doctor put me on Prednisone and Motrin, and took blood work. The week following, when my blood work was positive for the RA factor and positive ANA and SED rate, she started me on Plaquenil in addition to the other meds. I cannot recall what the exact numbers were, but the way she talked it seemed not low, but not high, kind of in the middle range I guess. I took the Pred for about 3 months and then titered off and remained on the other two meds for about two years with good result. Prednisone on and off when needed. The fatigue has always been present, as well as stiffness lasting more than one hour in the mornings. More and more joints became involved with pain and stiffness, and more meds were tried until the Methotrexate and Arava started helping. My x-rays have been normal, only the OA now seen. My doctor never checked for RA factor again. Over the years, I have experienced swelling in my hands and fingers, and my feet, and heat in mainly my hands, elbows, wrists, ankles and feet. My hips are very painful at night. Stiffness is now down to about an hour or less after I get up most days, but usually at least one-half hour of hobbling. The fatigue has remained pretty constant, increasing when the pain does. I have no rheumatoid nodules. Because of my clinical presentation over the five and a half years I was treated by my first doctor, and blood work, my doctor diagnosed RA. My grandmother had RA and my grandfather had PA, so I have a family history of immune system disease. My second doctor continued her treatment program, only increasing the Mtx, and adding Trazadone and in the last three months, Enbrel. During my treatment, I have continued to have flares of pain with warmth and swelling, stiffness, less problems gripping and opening things, and severe fatigue. I'd do better, and then flare again. This is the first time I have felt " normal " - I am able to move around better, there is no swelling, and less pain and stiffness overall. I credit this to the Enbrel and Mtx working together. My current doctor does not have my first doctor's records as she moved out of the area and I am don't know where my records are now. Anyway, sorry for being so long, but that's about it in a nutshell. Personally, I do believe you can go into a drug induced remission, but I don't think the RA ever goes away entirely, and I don't know how I will do with the decrease and stopping of the Mtx, but we shall see. Remission, if that is what it is, I am enjoying for now. Kathe in CA --- <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: > Kathe, I'm assuming your new rheumatologist has your > entire medical record, > right? > > The blood tests aren't as important as your clinical > presentation and > x-rays, especially if the results were borderline > positive. Or was your RF > very high in the past? > > Did any previous x-rays ever show RA? Was there > significant swelling in the > joints that are typically affected by RA? Did you > ever have any rheumatoid > nodules? Did you have morning stiffness that lasted > more than an hour? What > were the reasons that your previous rheumatologists > said you had RA? > > It would be very uncommon for true RA to disappear > after 6 years, but it > wouldn't be unusual to be in a drug-induced > remission. > > > > > Not an MD > > I'll tell you where to go! > > Mayo Clinic in Rochester > http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester > > s Hopkins Medicine > http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org > > > [ ] RA remission? > > > > > > Hi everyone: > > > > I am on my third doctor to treat my RA, and she > > ordered x-rays (knees, feet, hands, wrists) and > blood > > work on my first visit. The x-rays show only OA > in my > > thumb joints, big toes, and primarily my knees. > My > > blood work, after having had a positive RA factor > and > > ANA 6 years ago, and a positive ANA just three > months > > ago, now is negative RA and also negative ANA. > > > > She is now on the fence regarding my RA diagnosis, > and > > is having me start decreasing my Mtx from 8 2.5mg > tabs > > weekly, to 6 tabs weekly, to 4 tabs weekly, and > then 2 > > tabs for 2 weeks, and then stop the med, to see > what > > happens. I will still be on Enbrel 2x week and > Mobic. > > She says that since the RA factor is negative and > she > > cannot see any swelling in any joints, that > perhaps > > either my RA is in remission, or under very good > > control, or I no longer have it. The Fibro and OA > are > > her only diagoses at this time. > > > > What I want to know is whether or not RA can go > into > > remission? Can it simply go away after 6 years? > > Could it be that because of the medications I have > > been on that it is under such good control that > the > > blood work is now negative, indicating no RA? I > have > > been doing very well joint-wise for about three to > six > > months now, with just generalized muscle pain and > > joint/muscle stiffness which is probably more the > > Fibro. Can RA just disappear? or is this a > remission > > caused by the medications? > > > > She says that she will be able to know more with > my > > reaction to decreasing the Mtx - I have been on 20 > mg. > > weekly for about 9 months now, and the Enbrel > addition > > is really helping. If I have increasing joint > pain > > and swelling, she says that she will feel that I > do > > have RA, just RA in control. Kind of confusing, > but I > > do like the doctor and she is very thorough. > > > > So, to all of you out there, is there a > possibility of > > RA either going away, or being in remission? All > > replies will be greatly appreciated - > > > > Kathe in CA > Kathe in CA __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Well, Kathe, it sounds like you are in remission. I hope your new physician is willing to see you immediately should things go downhill as you decrease the MTX. Here's to hoping it lasts even without as much MTX! Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] RA remission? > Hi : > > When I went to my doctor for the first flare, my > fingers and hands were very swollen, hot, and > extremely painful. This happened literally overnight - > the day before I had a very painful thumbs, but I was > not too concerned about it. I could not grip or open > my bottle of Motrin. I could not get dressed by myself > or tie my shoes the next day. (Previously, I had been > having pain and stiffness in my hands and fingers and > wrists for quite a while, no swelling, but put it down > to my making jewelry which worked my hands well, and > my having been a medical transcriber for many years. > I just put it down to " arthritis " .) My feet were also > swollen during that first flare. My doctor put me on > Prednisone and Motrin, and took blood work. The week > following, when my blood work was positive for the RA > factor and positive ANA and SED rate, she started me > on Plaquenil in addition to the other meds. I cannot > recall what the exact numbers were, but the way she > talked it seemed not low, but not high, kind of in the > middle range I guess. > > I took the Pred for about 3 months and then titered > off and remained on the other two meds for about two > years with good result. Prednisone on and off when > needed. The fatigue has always been present, as well > as stiffness lasting more than one hour in the > mornings. More and more joints became involved with > pain and stiffness, and more meds were tried until the > Methotrexate and Arava started helping. > > My x-rays have been normal, only the OA now seen. My > doctor never checked for RA factor again. > > Over the years, I have experienced swelling in my > hands and fingers, and my feet, and heat in mainly my > hands, elbows, wrists, ankles and feet. My hips are > very painful at night. Stiffness is now down to about > an hour or less after I get up most days, but usually > at least one-half hour of hobbling. The fatigue has > remained pretty constant, increasing when the pain > does. I have no rheumatoid nodules. > > Because of my clinical presentation over the five and > a half years I was treated by my first doctor, and > blood work, my doctor diagnosed RA. My grandmother > had RA and my grandfather had PA, so I have a family > history of immune system disease. My second doctor > continued her treatment program, only increasing the > Mtx, and adding Trazadone and in the last three > months, Enbrel. > > During my treatment, I have continued to have flares > of pain with warmth and swelling, stiffness, less > problems gripping and opening things, and severe > fatigue. I'd do better, and then flare again. This is > the first time I have felt " normal " - I am able to > move around better, there is no swelling, and less > pain and stiffness overall. I credit this to the > Enbrel and Mtx working together. My current doctor > does not have my first doctor's records as she moved > out of the area and I am don't know where my records > are now. > > Anyway, sorry for being so long, but that's about it > in a nutshell. Personally, I do believe you can go > into a drug induced remission, but I don't think the > RA ever goes away entirely, and I don't know how I > will do with the decrease and stopping of the Mtx, but > we shall see. > Remission, if that is what it is, I am enjoying for > now. > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Well, Kathe, it sounds like you are in remission. I hope your new physician is willing to see you immediately should things go downhill as you decrease the MTX. Here's to hoping it lasts even without as much MTX! Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] RA remission? > Hi : > > When I went to my doctor for the first flare, my > fingers and hands were very swollen, hot, and > extremely painful. This happened literally overnight - > the day before I had a very painful thumbs, but I was > not too concerned about it. I could not grip or open > my bottle of Motrin. I could not get dressed by myself > or tie my shoes the next day. (Previously, I had been > having pain and stiffness in my hands and fingers and > wrists for quite a while, no swelling, but put it down > to my making jewelry which worked my hands well, and > my having been a medical transcriber for many years. > I just put it down to " arthritis " .) My feet were also > swollen during that first flare. My doctor put me on > Prednisone and Motrin, and took blood work. The week > following, when my blood work was positive for the RA > factor and positive ANA and SED rate, she started me > on Plaquenil in addition to the other meds. I cannot > recall what the exact numbers were, but the way she > talked it seemed not low, but not high, kind of in the > middle range I guess. > > I took the Pred for about 3 months and then titered > off and remained on the other two meds for about two > years with good result. Prednisone on and off when > needed. The fatigue has always been present, as well > as stiffness lasting more than one hour in the > mornings. More and more joints became involved with > pain and stiffness, and more meds were tried until the > Methotrexate and Arava started helping. > > My x-rays have been normal, only the OA now seen. My > doctor never checked for RA factor again. > > Over the years, I have experienced swelling in my > hands and fingers, and my feet, and heat in mainly my > hands, elbows, wrists, ankles and feet. My hips are > very painful at night. Stiffness is now down to about > an hour or less after I get up most days, but usually > at least one-half hour of hobbling. The fatigue has > remained pretty constant, increasing when the pain > does. I have no rheumatoid nodules. > > Because of my clinical presentation over the five and > a half years I was treated by my first doctor, and > blood work, my doctor diagnosed RA. My grandmother > had RA and my grandfather had PA, so I have a family > history of immune system disease. My second doctor > continued her treatment program, only increasing the > Mtx, and adding Trazadone and in the last three > months, Enbrel. > > During my treatment, I have continued to have flares > of pain with warmth and swelling, stiffness, less > problems gripping and opening things, and severe > fatigue. I'd do better, and then flare again. This is > the first time I have felt " normal " - I am able to > move around better, there is no swelling, and less > pain and stiffness overall. I credit this to the > Enbrel and Mtx working together. My current doctor > does not have my first doctor's records as she moved > out of the area and I am don't know where my records > are now. > > Anyway, sorry for being so long, but that's about it > in a nutshell. Personally, I do believe you can go > into a drug induced remission, but I don't think the > RA ever goes away entirely, and I don't know how I > will do with the decrease and stopping of the Mtx, but > we shall see. > Remission, if that is what it is, I am enjoying for > now. > > Kathe in CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 Yes, RA can go into remission. I have had RA since I was 3 1/2 (more than 1/2 a century)and have had 2 remissions. > Can RA go into remission?< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 I had fm from 1989 to Feb 09, in Feb, came down with an extra low vit D count and my ra factor was 255 among some other tests, took predisone pack until I could get to my ra dr. which helped the symptoms a great deal but was still suffering, ra dr. comfirmed ra, started me on sulfadine and meloxicam and improved tremendously. I have a few lingering symptoms but my fm pain (which was different types of pain) is gone. I don't think I am in an RA remission as I am taking meds and have some pain in hand at times and I don't bend and stoop as good as I use to but the fm seems to be gone. Strange, strange, no answers for that one. From: Vicki Hoyt <dvhoyt@...>Subject: RA remission?"rheumatoid arthritis group" <Rheumatoid Arthritis >Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:01 AM Can RA go into remission? I've had two dr's saw I have it but my new dr says he doesn't think I have it because there is no swelling right now. But I do have fibromyalgia and that is severe.Thanks,Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 yes it can, and since you did have a few, do you just stop taking meds and see what happens? did you have no symptoms at all with meds and then stopped taking them? I always wonder as most people take 3 or 4 months to get relieve after they start meds and it would be scary to go through all that pain again for nothing. thanks From: beezer6636 <beezer6636@...>Subject: Re: RA remission?Rheumatoid Arthritis Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 12:11 PM Yes, RA can go into remission. I have had RA since I was 3 1/2 (more than 1/2 a century)and have had 2 remissions.> Can RA go into remission?< __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2009 Report Share Posted October 2, 2009 That might depend on how you define “remission”. For some it is absence of active disease progression and for others it is no symptoms of disease at all. Some say you have to be off medications and others say you can have a medically controlled remission. I think any type of remission is possible but medically controlled remission with no disease progression is by far the most common. I think that’s where I am now and I take Methotrexate and Remicade to provide this remission. I hope you get some form of remission. God bless. Harold From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Vicki Hoyt Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 8:02 AM rheumatoid arthritis group Subject: RA remission? Can RA go into remission? I've had two dr's saw I have it but my new dr says he doesn't think I have it because there is no swelling right now. But I do have fibromyalgia and that is severe. Thanks, Vicki No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.14.1/2407 - Release Date: 10/01/09 06:34:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 My vitamin D levels have been low but I don't know what my factor is. It comes back as a weak positive. My doc says I don't have a lot of swelling. He's weaning me off my methotrexate so we'll see if I flare. I guess I traded pain from RA for pain from fibro. Vicki From: ish <reneehearttoheart@...>Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Friday, October 2, 2009 11:53:17 AMSubject: Re: RA remission? I had fm from 1989 to Feb 09, in Feb, came down with an extra low vit D count and my ra factor was 255 among some other tests, took predisone pack until I could get to my ra dr. which helped the symptoms a great deal but was still suffering, ra dr. comfirmed ra, started me on sulfadine and meloxicam and improved tremendously. I have a few lingering symptoms but my fm pain (which was different types of pain) is gone. I don't think I am in an RA remission as I am taking meds and have some pain in hand at times and I don't bend and stoop as good as I use to but the fm seems to be gone. Strange, strange, no answers for that one. From: Vicki Hoyt <dvhoyt (DOT) com>Subject: [rheumatoid_ arthritis] RA remission?"rheumatoid arthritis group" <rheumatoid_arthriti sgroups (DOT) com>Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 11:01 AM Can RA go into remission? I've had two dr's saw I have it but my new dr says he doesn't think I have it because there is no swelling right now. But I do have fibromyalgia and that is severe.Thanks,Vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.