What is Remission for Rheumatoid Arthritis? with Dr. Amigues

Cheryl Crow interviews Dr. Amigues, who is both a rheumatologist and a cancer survivor. Dr. Amigues explains what remission for rheumatoid arthritis is, and how modern medications have made it more achievable than ever before. She and Cheryl emphasize the importance of finding a rheumatologist you can trust and truly partner with. Dr. Amigues delves into the advancements in RA medications and treatments, highlighting the transformative impact they can have on patients' lives.
*For Full Episode Details Including a Transcript, go to the episode page on the Arthritis Life Website: arthritis.theenthusiasticlife...
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[@pepy7779]

Patients make the best doctors! Thabk you for this intelligent and compassionate conversation.

[@ArthritisLife]

Thank you for taking the time to listen and respond!

[@user-ur2xf9zw1o]

Thank you for the encouragement! I am going to change my goals to get to remission not just to survive!!

[@ArthritisLife]

I LOVE to hear that!!

[@user-zn3rm3pl4b]

this has been so encouraging and enlightening to me, thank you both very much

[@ArthritisLife]

I’m so glad to hear that, thank you so much! ❤

[@donnaburns6769]

I will be 75 yrs old in a couple of weeks and have just recently been diagnosed with RA. The rheumatologist just put me on a low dose (2.5 mg) of methotrexate 3 weeks ago to be taken once a week. I'm also taking prednisone (5 mg) as needed. How long does it take to feel some improvement. Or, being as old as I am ... will I see improvement with my joints. The most pain I deal with is in my hands and wrists - I have no strength with my hands to do even menial tasks lifting a coffee pot to pour a cup of coffee or scrub dirty dishes. Most people I read about get this dreaded disease quite young in life. I haven't heard of anybody suddenly getting it at this stage of my life.

[@ArthritisLife]

Hi there, to answer your first question, the prednisone tends to have positive effects on inflammation quite quickly but methotrexate can take 12 weeks or so to build in effectiveness. 2.5 mg is a small dose so if you're not having improvement after 12 weeks there is some wiggle room to increase it. You can ask your doctor for a referral to occupational to therapy because you're having "difficulty completing basic activities of daily living," those are the magic words to get a referral sometimes - as you have just described, not being able to lift a coffee cup or scrub dishes is significantly affecting your quality of life and ability to function! If the medications work, those difficulties should subside but it would also be beneficial to strengthen your hand muscles to improve your endurance. I hope this helps!

[@Chad2baddd]

I'm 39 and have just been diagnosed with arthritis. I take hydroxycloraquine and methotrexate. I hate arthritis. My bones and joins always pop when I move them, I'm tired often, and it's made me feel a little depressed. I hope I can go into remission one day....

[@ArthritisLife]

You’re still in the early days, I promise you will learn how to cope with it! One day at a time ❤

[@Chad2baddd]

@@ArthritisLife thank you!

[@septembercindy]

I have been on biologics but they didn’t stop my toes from hammer toeing. I’ve also noticed a lot of RA patients in support groups end up getting cancers from the biologics so I’m weary to go back on and the fact that each biologic stops working after so long.

[@ArthritisLife]

I'm sorry to hear that. I find it important to look at the scientific evidence at the population level rather than looking at anecdotes from online "support" groups as they tend to represent the more extreme examples. My understanding of the research is that the risk of cancers from biologics is mildly elevated but that has to be weighed against the risk of uncontrolled disease - if the disease is not controlled, that is associated with a 7 year reduction in the lifespan, so we have to look at which is the lesser of two evils. Sending lots of support your way.

[@samkitty5894]

In the morning when getting out of bed all my limbs look normal. Then, my lower legs, one knee, both ankles and both feet swell...All kinds of pain, sharp, dull, stabbing, needling, numbing...my right foot appear dropped, my left knee has no jerk reflex and can give out at any time. My upper limbs are fine. I am always tired...I don't take any meds because I'm afraid of side affects.

[@ArthritisLife]

I'm sorry to hear that. The medications are statistically the most likely way to achieve relief from these issues, you are not alone if you are afraid of the side effects but in my case I find it helpful to remember that the side effects are only *possible* while the disease is by nature for sure progressive and will get worse over time if not controlled, and the medications can help slow or even stop that progression.

[@raad684]

Somewhat older than you. Just diagnosed in left wrist. Have you ever heard of RA creating claw toes and peroneal nerve issues. RF factor is high, but inflammatory markers are normal as well as ANA.

[@ArthritisLife]

Hi there - yes, "claw toes" or "hammer toes" are common with RA that has progressed. I do have claw toes on 3 of my toes on my right side. Nerve issues aren't super common but can happen. I hope you are doing well!