Is My RA In Remission?
Is My RA In Remission?
It's been a while since I last posted here. So, to those who've joined my team and others who've made me part of theirs I hope you are all doing well as can be expected with your RA.
I was diagnosed with RA two years ago based mainly on seropositive results for anti-CCP. I have been taking MTX for the past 16 months. I have not noticed any change since I started taking it (I've never had any pain or issues with limited movement) except for one rheumatoid nodule and greater fatigue than I've… read more
It's always good to hear from those who are doing well. You've contributed to the group by encouraging others. Ask your dr. about a Vectra test. My rheumatologist does it every few years. He likes to compare it to previous tests. It will show more clearly when you are in remission. When my Vectra test showed "near remission" I asked if I could suspend my treatments. He said, "That means it's working". However, I did drop the MTX. To this day, occasionally, he will ask, "Now why aren't you on MTX?"🤣 However, it is time. I'm happy to have had years for my body to recover...and FYI: there are fewer side effects with MTX injections.
When I first experienced RA symptoms, I took an NSAID for about a month. All of my joint pain went away, and I stopped taking the NSAID because I was concerned it was damaging my body.
Five years later, I had a sudden onset of severe RA symptoms that took over a year to get under control. I think that I probably did my body a favor by not taking RA meds during those five years. I don’t think that it would have changed the outcome.
Thanks for sharing your unique experience with this chronic disease. My RA symptoms have always been mild. The only notable concern I have at present is fatigue that is most likely related to my mild anemia which does indicate that my immune system is somewhat out of kilter. The anemia began even before I started taking DMARDs for RA. I suspect that the anemia will remain even if I stop taking MTX.
Also, I'm concerned that the MTX might harm my liver and kidneys if I continue to take it long term so if I really don't need it I feel I shouldn't be taking it or should at least lessen the dose to 10 mg or less / week. I'm on 15 now and was taking 17.5. My rheumy suggested taking even more than 17.5 !!! It might be time to see another rheumy,
I also have osteo-arthritis (I'm 64) so it's difficult from x-rays to know what's actually happening with the synovium surrounding my joints except for one that is tender. Now that the weather is finally getting warmer I notice having considerably less stiffness in my joints than I had during this typical Michigan winter.
Luckily I live in Canada and we dont have to pay for doctor visits!
I've skipped weeks taking MTX for Covid-19 vaccinations but I haven't changed the amount when I do take it. So, tomorrow I will discuss this with my doc as he's supposed to be able to determine if I'm ready to reduce the dose. That's why we pay them the big bucks.
