I don't have a choice, I would be completely non-functioning without treatment.

My pain is much worse without treatment. When I was under effective treatment I was feeling good most days. Much less pain. I do think we forget quickly what we felt like before treatment ....I think treatment helps slowly and we don't realize that sometimes we are getting better in baby steps. Until bam we have to stop treatment for a longer period of time....like I am doing now. I realize that treatment is good.

I agree! I worked for 27 years in nursing home and saw what RA did to so many people, bedridden, crippled. Not me. I will take the med, put up with some side effects, keep trying new meds or herbs and keep on going for as long as I am able!

Thanks to everyone for your honest answers. This disease is so hard for anyone to understand who isn't going through it. The unique pain and characteristics is so hard to explain. I am grateful for this site and all of the wisdom of others.

Yes, there is still some pain (it changes daily for me) and there are side effects to drugs (each person reacts differently). But -- without doing anything, we will become crippled and be in major pain. The choice we have is do something and get relief, or do nothing and end up in a wheelchair or worse. We need to keep a positive attitude and know that we can have a good life even with this disease. We can NEVER GIVE UP. Keep fighting!!!