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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Can you still have Symptoms when you are in Remission?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Toowoomba, AU

I went to my Rheumatologist recently and spoke about how I am fatigued all day, have pain all over and I don’t wake up refreshed but that’s normal right to have symptoms?? even when in remission. She said that I shouldn’t be feeling any symptoms and I should feel like a “regular person”

She suspects I could have fibromyalgia and to either have 150mg of Duloxtine or just kinda live in pain.

So is it my RA?? Can I have symptoms even when I am in remission? Or are these symptoms some other… read more

May 29
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A myRAteam Member

Please be careful with duloxitene. I am tapering off of it after being on it for 14 years. The side-effects aren't worth it in my opinion and it takes tapering to get off of it without serious side-effects.
It made my sleeping worse too.

May 29
A myRAteam Member

You can have symptoms even if your labs say that you are in a RA remission. I think that other autoimmune disorders have a play in it. Also depression or anxiety can affect a person. Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue. Sleep deprivation can come from sleep disorders like sleep apnea. This can be diagnosed from a sleep study.
Other things like fibromyalgia and sjorgens can occur

May 29
A myRAteam Member

I absolutely love this A I and the information it relays! It makes some very valid points!

@A myRAteam Member you have my sincere sympathy that you are so exhausted and feel dismissed by your Rheumatologist.

I guess I am unclear on if she says you definitely Have Fibromyalgia, or that you Might have it. Is she (the Rheumatologist) the correct Dr to determine Fibromyalgia? Or is your normal everyday Dr able to determine if you do or don't have it?

If you have a good relationship with your regular Dr I would go for at least a consultation and tell them what your Rheumatologist said to you. Ask their opinion and if a blood work test can be done to determine Fibromyalgia. I have no idea how that is detected but someone in here might!

Wishing you all the Best Emma!

May 29 (edited)
myRAteam

That's such a frustrating situation to be in — feeling unwell while being told you should feel fine. Your rheumatologist is actually correct that true RA remission typically means minimal to no symptoms, so feeling like a "regular person" is genuinely the goal of treatment.

That said, fatigue, widespread pain, and Show Full Answer

That's such a frustrating situation to be in — feeling unwell while being told you should feel fine. Your rheumatologist is actually correct that true RA remission typically means minimal to no symptoms, so feeling like a "regular person" is genuinely the goal of treatment.

That said, fatigue, widespread pain, and unrefreshing sleep are all very real and recognized symptoms that people with RA can experience — and they don't always mean your RA is actively flaring. Fatigue in particular is one of the most commonly reported experiences among myRAteam members. It can stem from several RA-related factors, including:

- Joint pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Depression or anxiety, which are known comorbidities of RA
- The ongoing effects of inflammation in the body

These symptoms can persist even when RA itself appears to be well-controlled. It's worth having an open conversation with your rheumatologist about all of your symptoms together — not just joint-related ones. Keeping a symptom diary tracking your fatigue levels, pain, and sleep quality can help paint a clearer picture for your doctor.

If you feel the current options presented don't fully address your concerns, it's completely reasonable to ask for more clarity on what's driving these symptoms before committing to a treatment path. You deserve to feel better, not just "manage" the pain.

May 29

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