TREATMENT GOALS FOR RA
RA is a chronic disease with no cure, and symptoms can come and go with various ups and downs. Treatment used to be limited to simple symptom relief, but with new medications, we now have the ability to prevent joint damage in the long term. Up to 80 percent of people can successfully reduce disease activity such that symptoms are mild and manageable, and up to 40 percent may actually achieve remission, where RA becomes inactive for months or years. Here is a summary of your medication options.
When diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the first step is to start treatment as soon as possible so that you can have the best possible immediate and long-term outcomes. You should expect the following improvements:
SHORT-TERM
Over the first 6-12 months, with proper treatment you should expect to have:
- Decreased joint pain
- Decreased joint swelling
- Decreased joint stiffness
- Overall: you should notice that you have better joint function, and more energy to get through your daily activities.
LONG-TERM
Thinking about the years ahead, you should expect the following from your RA treatment plan:
- Your treatment plan should be geared towards keeping you on a medication regimen that will decrease RA disease activity to reduce your symptoms as much as possible.
- Ideally, you should hope for remission, where RA becomes inactive. This is achieved in up to 50 percent of people, depending on many factors. In remission, you will feel like you no longer have RA, and your joints will be spared RA-related destructive damage.
- For any flare-ups you have during remission where your symptoms resolve, your doctors will adjust your medications accordingly until you feel better again.
It may take time for your medications and other therapeutic interventions to actually kick in. For some people, RA will be difficult to manage and some of your goals may be elusive. To help get the best results, work with your doctor, take your medications as prescribed, and follow up regularly.
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