US is still not widely used because a lot of training and practice is needed to do it well – and there is another article about MSUS coming up soon – the research shows there is still the issue of user error, so that’s the risk – that something could be missed and there would be a false sense of security. BUT, a good dr uses the whole picture anyway, not any one tool.

This post confirmed my confidence in my rheumatologist. I found a good one for sure.

So now she and I are considering adding a biologic. I need to do my research, I know so many are on them, but I skim over as it wasn’t applicable before. Seems like a difficult decision to add such a “big” drug when I feel great, and barely notice anything with this wrist. But the more she reads about and speaks with colleagues about ultrasound and MRI as more advanced tools to monitor disease activity and change treatment, she is thinking about adding another drug, given that I’m 37, and a little bit of damage each year can add up to a lot.

Have any of you been through this? Anyone using ultrasound or MRI to track synovitis? I’m in Canada and there aren’t a lot of places that do this, so was lucky to get it done, though now it’s presented me with more questions…

I’m nervous about the biologics because of their side effects. Is slowing down joint erosion in one wrist worth it? She’s open to me taking any of the biologics, other than Remicade, saying I don’t need that one. From my reading, looks like it’s the case, but certainly not the answer I was hoping for!!

Ultrasound sounds like it would assist greatly in reaching earlier diagnoses. How great would that be, for patients who are suffering physically and emotionally; and for doctors, who are trying to help their patients as much and as quickly, as possible.