remission | Arthritis Information

I've read that RA is "characterised by periods of flare and remission". Although my RA responds to medication, I just wondered if I would ever go into remission. Or if there is a type of RA that doesn't go into remission. I've had RA for five years now and always had some kind of pain/stiffness/inflammation. Anna

the books say that there are a few ways RA can go... like one was the flare phase that went into premanent remission; the next was one that starts out bad but has periods of remission and flares over a lifetime; and the last was the kind that I have so far (ten years or more now) and that is the kind that never really gets much better and isnt really controlled. They did not understand why. (the book was Living with RA I think... good one and also Coping with RA, both excellent books I love still) Anyway that is what I understand. I also read that they think there might be differnt "kinds" of RA and that is possibly why people react differently to the RA meds. That was an article on the AF site.

good luck!

hi pepper
thanks again for your reply.
happy new years
anna
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Anna,

Two things come to mind:

1. You're taking way too much folic acid. Excessive folic acid offsets the beneficial effects of MTX. 1mg Folic Acid daily is more appropriate.

2. What is it that tells you you have RA? Could well be another type of immunilogical arthritis. Run the HLA B27 antigen test.

Lee1234538720.9268865741

Look for those books... they are sooo good!

I am wishing for a fabulous 2006 for all of us!