Has anyone here been on the biologics for a long time? I know I have severe RA in addition to OA, Fibro and Sjogren's and I'm worried about the long term consequences of this disease. I'm trying to keep positive. I've been told I'll be disabled if I go off the meds but has anyone with severe RA actually had the disease arrested, or does it just continue on anyway? Do these powerful new meds actually stop the disease or just slow it down. Any long term suffers, I'd love to hear from you honestly. I'm managing now but I'm in a house with a lot of stairs and live on a very steep hill. I can't help wondering what my long term prognosis is.I've been reading as much info as I can on the meds and what they can do. I found that mtx can slow down,stop, or not help at all when it comes to bone erosion. But I guess its the best chance most of us have is the hope that we will be one of the ones where it stops it all together. A good idea is to look up mtx and there you will see some of the research as well as other drugs and if they can help.
Linda~I've had RA officially for a little over 12 years now. It's progressively gotten worse....but the DMARDS and now Biologics have really gone a long way toward slowing it. Nothing as of now will stop it. Without the meds I fairly quickly turn into a statue. I've learned that I do have to remain on my meds....even when it feels like I've better.
I have a postive outlook; but a realistic one as well. My husband and I are buying a new house. I'm only 35 but we searched for a home that would be better suited for me as I age. Master suit on the bottom floor. Laundry on the bottom floor, oven that is wall mounted so I can easily use it with out strain....entry into the house with no stairs.
I don't consider myself handicap in anyway....but there are days where is becomes clear that I'd do best to remember my limitations and be mindful of what could happen.
I've heard of many people being told in their early days with RA "You'll be handicap with in 2 years". 10 years later their still managing quite well. We're all so different and we all respond in different manners to the medication. I'm not sure anyone here can tell you what your future holds.
Best advise I could give would be keep a postive outlook. Remain hopefully for the best; but plan for the future. Do your best now to prepare for the struggles ahead....but don't waist every minute of your time worrying sick about something that may or may not happen.
I know that's easier said than done....and I know exactly how difficult is is; especially in the beginning to avoid thinking the worst.
Given the fact that there are no absolutes in regards to the medications and outcomes for RA patients, the best advice that I can give is to be sure that your RD is evaluating you routinely to make sure that the meds you are on are giving you therapuetic results. Keep after you doc. about it, take the iniative and say "hey it's been a year, how about some repeat x-rays?" dont depend on them to remind you. If you arent complaining, chances are they wont remember
I too have heard of many people with really good control of the their RA who were told things like "you'll be in a wheel chair in 10 years." I think it is smart to plan the way Lovie is. I mean maybe for now she could climb stairs to the bedroom or bend down to the oven...but why waste your spoons? Keeping your life as effecient as possible is a great plan for any of us. There are days when I wish for a small house. I dread cleaning a big house and the stairs are miserable some days. Planning is a good way to combat being worried. It is a way to turn a potential negative into a postitive.
Several small things in the new house will really make a big difference in my life. I'm really looking forward to the move and I feel like it's going to be well suited for my life as I age.
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