I guess I should know this this far into the game. I was dx'd 8 months ago afterall. Is joint damage only being done during a flare? And is that why the meds work, because they block the flares?
Uh....I thought it was the inflammation. Cut the inflammation and no damage.
Pip
I guess that's what messed me up. I'm never inflammed unless I'm flaring. But others are inflammed even if they aren't? Then, what is the difference between just being inflammed and a flare?A flare is an increase in a patient's symptoms from their baseline symptoms. An increase in pain or stiffness with or without inflammation. Each of us are different because our baseline symptoms are different. I might flare and it's just an increase in inflammation with pain. You might flare and it's just morning stiffness and pain. On and On. Hope it makes sense? LindyThanks Lindy [QUOTE=Pip!]Uh....I thought it was the inflammation. Cut the inflammation and no damage.
Pip
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I'm kinda curious too! What is it that causes the actual damage?
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Isn't the actual damage being cause by your immune system acting up, thinking your own body is a outside source or virus, which then the antibodies/white blood cells attacks??
Julez, yes, it's the immune system that attacks the joints. I'm just wondering when exactly that activity is taking place. For instance, right now I have no inflammation, but my elbow and some fingers have been sore (in a minor way) for several days. My RA is pretty well under control, although I do have an occasional flare. I mean by that that every few weeks, something will swell and be very painful red, warm to the touch for several days. So, is damage being done to my joints only at those times, or is it going on all the time? Or is it not going on at all due to the meds?In the beginning the joint damage is caused by the chemicals produced by the white blood cells invading the joint and by the overgrowth of the synovium lining. These processes wear down the cartilige and weaken the bones. The ongoing inflammation also weakens the supporting tissues. These problems occur at times of inflammation. Inflammation does not have to be acute as in a flare (a period of increased disease activity) nor does the inflammation have to be visible to the eye for you to have it. An experienced clinician can feel it during an examination it also generally shows up in your blood work.
However, once the ongoing disease process of RA takes hold and damage has occured to the cartilige then you have secondary OA. Now the damage can continue without ongoing RA activity. I always compare it to trying to take a sticky tag off a glass. You work and work to get it started but once you get a corner off the glass the rest comes easily. RA works and works to get that first piece of cartilige gone..once its gone the rest wears away easier.
The goal of RA treatment is preventing the disease from getting that first corner...however you choose to try medically. Exercise is a great help in keeping the support strucures sound. Keeping the joint as structurally sound as possible helps prevent one spot from wearing faster than others
sorry about the typos...my hansd don't want to work today
Buckeye, thank you. I have a much clearer understanding of the process now. And I didn't even notice any typos Oh...no bloods drawn, no tests at all done. All my tests before show slight indications of RA RF neg, ANA 1:80 slightly elev sed rate.You are not alone, Link. I do not even know what a flare is. That is why no one ever hears me say "I am flaring", because... I do not even really think I am. But I am doing something
Very good question, Link... very good one indeed.
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