Comments on: What is Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Part 1

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:25:45 +0000

good points, Cynde.

By: Cynde Damstra

Cynde Damstra — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:06:32 +0000

I wonder if there is a misconception of what RA dr.s or medial experts use to gauge remission. If you compare the typical RA patient before any meds and then after they have been on meds, there generally is a degree of improvement. Some people more, some people less. Mostly if you are taking prednisone. So, if you look at the patient before ANY meds and how they have improved with meds they are better and this can be classified in some dr’s minds as remission or a degree of remission. I am not bedridden since I have been on meds even though my day to day life is greatly effected by pain, fatigue, etc. But, my RA dr. would say that I exhibit signs of remission since I am stable in my condition even though I still have all of the symptoms. I would rather call it stuck in my condition. In my thinking I always assumed that remission meant that there were no signs of symptoms or that there were no remains of the disease in your body and since there is no cure for RA and it is in your body I don’t know if there can truly be a remission. And that is my rambling answer!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:14:27 +0000

Judi,

Thanks for sharing the remission story. Remissions are more common with JRA than RA so I’ve read several times that they used to tell families that it woud “go away” or “burn out.” I even heard that recently from a family on facebook. Their doc said it would go away by about age 17. I hope in that case that it does. I’m always going to hope that it does come for me someday too.

By: JudithBarry

JudithBarry — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:06:29 +0000

Julie…Are you taking Chemo in the amounts of a cancer patients? That just freaks me out! Also wanted to add that the nurses i have talked to say that the biologics are a mini dose of chemo!..@Daniel…I had a rheumy tell me not to have anymore surgeries because it puts arthritis there!..That is funny (odd) because you have to replace joints somtimes that are damaged and too painfull to live with..Thanks for listening ya’ll..

By: JudithBarry

JudithBarry — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:51:08 +0000

Hi Kelly and fellow RAr’s I totally believe in remission! I developed JRA at 8yr old and went away in my teens ontil i was about 45 when full blown symptons kicked in! I did have big time things happen that i believe kicked started the RA! Nobody can make me believe otherwise that i had remission! Also i tottaly believe its hereditary..family and my poor daughter..Psoratic Arthritis..covered in leasions,painfull,embarrassing lesions..Now under control with biologics…Ps. Kelly i navagated my ways to twitter sunday..logged in as judiintheskys …Just so you know that was me…lol..Love the site fixover and your dedication to the cause Kelly..Judi

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:29:15 +0000

Daniele, I’ve never heard of that connection. I’ll definitely look around. I did hear from a woman who was treated for breast cancer w/ strong chemo & that put her RA into remission for a long time. She never said if came back. It is a good point that you make because a lull in the disease often is followed by more agressive RA.

By: Daniele Mullinax

Daniele Mullinax — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:43:19 +0000

In the 8 years that I have been diagnosed with RA, I’ve been in remission twice. (as told by my rheumatologist) The first time it happend, I had in my head that maybe I was mysteriusly cured!! It last about 4 months and then it came back with a vengence!! Even worse as before. In the two times that I had remission, I had undergone surgeries approx 1 month prior. I’m not sure what connection that has with remission. One thing is for sure, I would rather not have a remission, because in each time with me, the RA came back worse. Does anyone know what surgery would have to do with remission?

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:48:55 +0000

Hi Jodi,
Good points. It does make me wonder about how RA can be active behind the scenes even in times of lull since it’s never gone & always comes back. I think in some patients, damage continues while they appear to be in “clinical remission” at least. I wish we knew more about how to measure this so RA could still be treated as aggressively as necessary in them.
Maybe that should be our wish & greeting to one another: May you have a remission! :heart:

By: Jodi Whisenhunt

Jodi Whisenhunt — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:37:36 +0000

In my own personal experience, I would say there’s no such thing as remission. Rather, there IS maintenance. I have never had a period of time with absolutely no flares or other effects of RA. During a few years while I was pregnant and nursing babies and unmedicated, the hormone connection kept RA at bay. However, it still showed its ugly face periodically. All other years since I was diagnosed in 1997, medical treatment has been necessary to minimize pain, swelling, joint damage, and other RA-related issues.

I think, just like the disease itself, remission varies from person to person. I’m so happy to hear that some actually do experience it! What a blessing! Those of you who are in remission now, I hope it lasts a long, long time and never returns! RA is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

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