Is this stuff really working? | Arthritis Information

 

Hey guys!  I have not visited in sometime.  I have a question for everyone.  I am on enbrel, sulfasalizine, and diclofenec....anyways, my question is this:  IF MY MEDICATION IS TRUELY WORKING, SHOULD I BE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN?  I have read that pain is associated with joint damage, and I have also read, joint damage can occur even when there are no symptomatic pains....who knows about this one.  But really, if my medication is to be considered effective, should I be experiencing painful flares?  I have had RA for around 2 years I guess......Im not always in pain, but it does seem some some days are worse than others, and sometimes at night I feel some pain.  My bloodwork comes back with a good SED rate everytime I go in and my rummy seems to think by the bloodwork everything is doing good right now.  I am trying full heartedly to avoid MTX.  SO, any input would be greatly appreciated! 

 

Thanks!! 

 

Good question!   Really, what is the objective?   Are we working towards 100% pain-free, or should expect some pain?  I'm now on the max of 1 cc of MTX  and have moved from barely able to hobble down the street in August to now some mild wrist pain (that I keep aggrevating at the gym!).

When I see my rheumy next in Feb, do I tell him to add a new drug to the mix?

Another RAer I know said that her rheumy aims for 100% pain-free.
I was told I will always be in pain.  No cure for fibro which I bet many of you have and don't know it AND the damage is already done.  The challenge is to slow the damage and learn to live as much as you can under the circumstances we are given
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