Health Information>Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

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About Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints and other organs in the body. This condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the membrane that lines the joints (synovium), causing joint damage, disabling pain, and loss of function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can also affect many organs, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels and skin. Patients may experience periods of symptom inactivity followed by flares, or mild to severe symptom activity. Women are three times more likely than men to be diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The condition currently affects 1% of the world's population. Symptoms can be so severe that they entirely impair function and mobility and cause chronic, debilitating pain. Diagnosis of the condition is based upon the variety and severity of symptoms and thus the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) may be misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed for a long period of time. The condition is progressive; however the rate of progression varies greatly among patients.
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Read what others are saying about Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Yes. it helped a lot. Dr. d/c'd it as in 2004 there were new and better nsaids out. Since other nsaids were taken off of market only ibuprofen or asa4/30/2012 at 01:13 PM
Was this review helpful? Yes
Same a naproxey.4/30/2012 at 01:10 PM
Was this review helpful? Yes
It has helped a lot. Continued use. S.E. have started to wonder about them as I haven't been on it all that long, yet the last 3 infusions have had dizzyness, h.a., occular pain along with h.a., visual problems, confusion d/t vision. I don't know it it's related. 4/30/2012 at 01:10 PM
Was this review helpful? Yes
used Humira for 8 mos. infections came easy. as the time would come to take it everything was worse than prior use. I don't know what happened but felt as if a neurological event occurred/ possibly crossed blood brain barrier.4/30/2012 at 01:04 PM
Was this review helpful? Yes
Used in beginning @ 800mg., q 8hrs., no side effects other than a very high dose for a very small person and it wasn't effective. 4/30/2012 at 01:00 PM
Was this review helpful? Yes
i am unable to take other ra drugs as i had a severe reaction to remicade. hopefully these problems will work themselves out. not too many rx options for me.9/9/2008
It is well known that these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs] like naproxen (with the generic familty of names) are not sufficient to deal with RA and must be used with disease modifying anti-arthritis drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate, if drugs are to be used. However I have recently discovered natural remedies are superier even if you doctors do not want you to know; such as honey and vinegar and vitamen B complexes. I now consider myself effectively cured at the cost of about $10 per month with natures solutions and no side effects instead of hundreds for drugs that are promised to eventually wear off. I was also disappointed to discover that this drug is available much cheaper over-the-counter with the name Aleve. If you have complete confidence in the medical profession try reading about Michael Douglas, Bill Clinton (both whom were misdiagnosed until it was nearly too late) or Dennis Quaid and the service waiting for you at the hospital in high priced America) etc. Aberrations? I think not! Check out Michael Moores documentaries. Why the skyrocketing autism? Try government acceptable air and water pollution; and cancers, ADD etc. We are not being told the truth; its sorta like being told everything is fine and go back to the 2nd tower on 9-11; somebody misdirected a plane at tower 1 I make these comments so that hopefully it might save a life like mine!9/4/2010
I TAKE METHOTREXATE ONE TIME PER WEEK AND PREDNAZONE DAILY, THIS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE SO MUCH,I AM NOW DOING THE THINGS I LOVE TO DO SUCH AS GARDENING AND I CAN DO MOST ANYTHING I HAD DONE BEFORE, I AM HAPPY.9/28/2010
Took it with 7.5 mg MTX & had to add plaquenil & take MTX to 10mg and only have occasional flare up. Worth the symptoms not to have pain jumping from joint to joint every couple of days not to mention the damage that occurs with every flare up.9/28/2009
Arava started working in about two weeks in helping with joint pain in my feet, ankles and knees. It did not help with joint pain in my wrist, which actually got worse. After four months my doctor added Enbrel to my treatment along with 2 mg of Prednisone, which helped with the wrist pain. Hair loss got worse so I am off Arava now. Dr. didnt think I needed to take cholestyramine to get arava out of my system since I was on it for only four months. But it stays in your system for up to two years! I cant keep losing my hair for that long...wont have any left. Im calling the doctor again next week and ask again about taking cholestyramine.9/24/2010
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V2012.311.925.327
Last updated on May 16 2012 at 11:59
Disclaimer: The list and ratings above are for informational purposes only, and is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. The goal of the information is to provide you with a comprehensive view of all available treatments, but should not be construed to indicate that use of any one treatment is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Decisions about use of a new treatment, or about a change in your current treatment plan, should be in consultation with your doctor or other healthcare professional.