Treating RA aggresively from the get-go

[Guest guest]

Hi .... I have been dx with RA and PsA since 1998, (and before the rheumy's

settled on those dx's, with sero-negative lupus, mixed connective tissue

disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia-they still include the

fibromyalgia in my DX.) Also dx'd OA about 2002. I have had very high sed rates

and CRP's, but otherwise sero-negative most of the time. I have been on Arava,

Plaquenil, Enbrel, Remicade, Kineret, Methotrexate and Humira, and combinations

thereof. My rheumy considers my RA moderate to severe, depending on what is

going on. However, in 1998 when the RA (and PsA) were dx'd, my rheumy's have

been aggressive for the most part in treating my RA (and PsA) with DMARDS

(Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs-hope I am right on the acronym! : ). We

are currently concerned that the Humira is beginning to wane, but will give it

another couple of months to see. However, the only erosions I have after all

this time are in my wrists, the right wrist being worse, and both knees. (I have

some OA in my toes and knees, and patches of psoriasis as well.)

My point being, and what my rheumy said...even though there are times I flare

pretty badly, experience a lot of pain, stiffness, and swelling, low-grade fever

and just plain feel crummy and so fatigued, he firmly believes the treatments

with DMARDS have minimized the erosion and permanent joint damage component a

great deal. He says he sees this more and more in folks who have been treated

with DMARDS from just about the get-go. People who have been treated much more

conservatively from the start have more problems with joint disfiguration and

erosions, as do folks who were dx'd before DMARDS/biologics were available.

Of course there are exceptions to almost all rules. And there are potential

side-effects with all medications. (I was really ill was a stubborn pneumonia

for months after receiving a few Remicade treatments, so had to stop that.) But,

what I am trying to say here is that I would encourage all who receive the dx of

RA to really consider DMARDS from the start, to minimize the potential and

everlasting damage RA can cause. The DMARDS cannot repair what has already been

damaged, and you can still get some damage with DMARDS. But the odds of less

damage and less erosions are greater using DMARDS, particularly the new

biologics we are blessed to have.

Love & gentle hugs...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Very well said, Tess. I agree wholeheartedly. My RA was treated

aggressively with DMARDs from the start, and now, six years later, I

don't believe I have any damage to my joints. I can't believe it has

been six years that I've had RA, but, yes, it started early in 2000.

What a way to greet the millenium!

Sue

On Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 02:37 AM, Grammi B wrote:

> Of course there are exceptions to almost all rules. And there are

> potential side-effects with all medications. (I was really ill was a

> stubborn pneumonia for months after receiving a few Remicade

> treatments, so had to stop that.) But, what I am trying to say here is

> that I would encourage all who receive the dx of RA to really consider

> DMARDS from the start, to minimize the potential and everlasting

> damage RA can cause. The DMARDS cannot repair what has already been

> damaged, and you can still get some damage with DMARDS. But the odds

> of less damage and less erosions are greater using DMARDS,

> particularly the new biologics we are blessed to have.

[Guest guest]

what are dmards ? ? ? ?

bon/boys

>

> > Of course there are exceptions to almost all rules. And there

are

> > potential side-effects with all medications. (I was really ill

was a

> > stubborn pneumonia for months after receiving a few Remicade

> > treatments, so had to stop that.) But, what I am trying to say

here is

> > that I would encourage all who receive the dx of RA to really

consider

> > DMARDS from the start, to minimize the potential and everlasting

> > damage RA can cause. The DMARDS cannot repair what has already

been

> > damaged, and you can still get some damage with DMARDS. But the

odds

> > of less damage and less erosions are greater using DMARDS,

> > particularly the new biologics we are blessed to have.

>

[Guest guest]

Disease modifying r......... a........... - I got the first 2 right!

Somebody help me here!

[ ] Re: Treating RA aggresively from the get-go

what are dmards ? ? ? ?

bon/boys

>

> > Of course there are exceptions to almost all rules. And there

are

> > potential side-effects with all medications. (I was really ill

was a

> > stubborn pneumonia for months after receiving a few Remicade

> > treatments, so had to stop that.) But, what I am trying to say

here is

> > that I would encourage all who receive the dx of RA to really

consider

> > DMARDS from the start, to minimize the potential and everlasting

> > damage RA can cause. The DMARDS cannot repair what has already

been

> > damaged, and you can still get some damage with DMARDS. But the

odds

> > of less damage and less erosions are greater using DMARDS,

> > particularly the new biologics we are blessed to have.

>

[Guest guest]

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

These are the drugs that can alter the course of the disease rather

than just treat the symptoms.

These are the drugs we pray will induce remission.

Here's some info:

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DrugGuide/about_dmards.asp

a

On Apr 13, 2006, at 7:35 PM, bonniebaron wrote:

> what are dmards ? ? ? ?

>

> bon/boy

[Guest guest]

You were soooooooooo close...lol

here is what they are...

DMARDs / Immunosuppressants - Drug Information - Drug Side Effects

DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) and immunosuppressants

are medications used to treat arthritis and other rheumatic conditions

by slowing disease progression. Drug information on the indications and

side effects of the DMARDs and immunosuppressants used in the treatment

of arthritis.

Dorothy wrote:

> Disease modifying r......... a........... - I got the first 2 right!

> Somebody help me here!

>

> [ ] Re: Treating RA aggresively from the get-go

>

>

> what are dmards ? ? ? ?

>

> bon/boys

>

>

> >

> > > Of course there are exceptions to almost all rules. And there

> are

> > > potential side-effects with all medications. (I was really ill

> was a

> > > stubborn pneumonia for months after receiving a few Remicade

> > > treatments, so had to stop that.) But, what I am trying to say

> here is

> > > that I would encourage all who receive the dx of RA to really

> consider

> > > DMARDS from the start, to minimize the potential and everlasting

> > > damage RA can cause. The DMARDS cannot repair what has already

> been

> > > damaged, and you can still get some damage with DMARDS. But the

> odds

> > > of less damage and less erosions are greater using DMARDS,

> > > particularly the new biologics we are blessed to have.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks. guess i have to get used to a whole new set of acronyms <g>

bon/boys

>

> > what are dmards ? ? ? ?

> >

> > bon/boy

>