Thank you...I feel so much better now | Arthritis Information

Hello,

I started the Arthrotec-75 twice daily last week. The swelling in my fingers is going down for the first time in months and I can type fast!!

I don't hurt anywhere now except for a few joints in my right foot. Muscles in my arm are a little sore. It's too good to be true. I go to the doctor ( I do like this one) to discuss the dmards on Friday.

My question is...will I still have to take dmards and once you start them..do you have to stay on them for ever...even if you are in remission? How do you decide which to take and how long. So far...no joint damage as taken place that we know in the hands. I will get results of the mri on Friday.

Thank you to everyone who has written to me and given your support. I don't think anyone else could comprehend it. It's meant more to me than you could know. :-)

I am beginning to accept as a challenge.

Judith-

That's hard to say about the need for DMARDs. I am so glad you are doing well on just the Arthrotec. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones. If not, you will have a roller coaster ride ahead of you which will probably involve DMARDS (including Biologics). One day you will feel great and the very next will be super painful. There is no rhyme or reason. Do your best to keep a positive attitude, exercise and keep yourself involved in your community.

I really don't know many people who have gone into remission without the use of drugs. Maybe someone on this board will chime in about that.

ari33 recently said she had read that if the disease is treated within 2 years you have a higher probability of remission. I think that is great news for all the newbies out there.

Is Arthrotec a DMARD or is that just an antinflammatory? I don't know much about it.

I've had RA a long time and I've tried and tested several methods

I'm at a point now where I've done really well for the past couple of years. We've deceased my medications dramatically; but I know I can't discontinue use all together. I'll be on medication of some sort for the rest of my life.....but I hope at times to take less than at others.

It's not that once you take it you can't stop......it's just that you shouldn't. Use the lowest dose possible to get results; but stay on enough to "Slow the progression" even if you can't feel it....it's happening. Often it takes years to be visable on X-rays.

I'm real happy to hear how well you're doing. Don't be discouraged by what I just said.....just know all the facts before you discontinue use.

Good Luck!