In remission ?

Hi has anyone experienced being in remission with rheumatoid arthritis ?

I've been on sulfsalazine and methotrexate on separate occasions, I've been advised to stop methotrexate due to heart palpitations since December and to await my appointment with cardiologist my inflammation levels are normal, sent get me wrong my hands are still a little stiff in the morning but doesn't last long I still have nodules ,but when I think back to my hands last year they are no near as bad ,was wondering if anyone else has experienced this ? Thanks

[Lolabridge]

Not yet in my case, but my disease activity is definitely lower than it was. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Lolabridge]

Good news for you that your disease activity is lower than what it was ,but its postive to hear that other people's journeys are improving with time

[Boxerlady]

I'm hoping that I'm pretty close to it although I'm not sure what the official description of it is. I'm currently on Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine and only have a little morning stiffness and occasional twinges in hands, one wrist and feet. I think that my inflammation levels are either low or OK judging by what was said at my last appointment; I still had a few sore joints then so the rheumy increased my Sulfasalazine and things seem to be improving 🤞

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

Hi ,great news for you I think because I see so many post on how other ppl are feeling and their journeys I'm still finding it hard to understand why I'm in this boat not that I'm knocking it I'm over the moon ,but I do wonder if it will return with a vengeance whilst I'm not on any medication, so for now I'm going to continue to enjoy my new diet regime which could have helped who knows and the fact I'm drug free .

[helixhelix]

I’ve been in remission for most the 10 years since diagnosis. Little pain, only rarely have to take additional pain relief and so on. However this is medically controlled remission as I have tried and failed to taper off my drugs a couple of times (with bad results).

It seems with some people if you can get the disease under control with drugs, and then taper off them and live healthily, then you can stay drug free for months or years without problems. Doesn’t happen often but if you're one of them then enjoy!

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you 10 years congratulations I've been off methotrexate since December so far so good I've changed my diet lost weight ,and I have to say I'm feeling pretty good ,fingers crossed it continues ,was worried that my hands especially would return to how they were back to last April, but still a little stilff in the morning/evening but no near as bad and its manageable

[JFlay in reply to Hidden]

I was off methotrexate (as it didn't suit me) for about 10 weeks while waiting to see my consultant, by the end of it all my symptoms came back. I then started on hydroxychloroquine, I'm still on it. The last time I saw the consultant in person about a year ago I was told I'm in remission due to my blood results and low DAS score. I'm still a bit stiff in the mornings and get stiff, achy feet and fatigue if I over do things.

[Hidden in reply to JFlay]

well only been 4 weeks for me , do you how long does methotrexate stay in your system for ? i was taken off it due to palpitations , i know how you feel as i have quite an active job its when i stop and im home is when i have achy feet and my hands play up but not as bad as they have been since last year ,

[JFlay in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure how long MTX stays in your body, I had a booklet from the hospital but threw it away when I changed tablets 😂Anyway, I hope you continue to be okay 👍

[Hidden in reply to JFlay]

Hi well 8 weeks have passed all my symptoms have returned with a vengeance, even my wrists ,not sure what the plan is but have spoken with rheumatology yesterday they mentioned prednisolone but they were going to speak with my consultant and I will be speaking to my gp today as I've had to phone in sick today not something I like to do i would rather be in work but whilst my disease is not under control I rethinking my career choice

[JFlay in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that 😕 hope you get things sorted out soon with your meds. It's all such a slow process!

[Hidden in reply to JFlay]

It is indeed 😪,I want to live my life as normal as possible just need my RA under better control then what it is at the moment

[Hidden]

lol , same here when I was on sulfasalazine 🤣, me too but for now i will just enjoy little pain and stiffness how ever long it may last 😀

[Hidden]

My dosage has been lowered every couple of years so far. Hoping at my next appointment to go down another 2.5mg MTX so I’ll be down to 7.5mg from the 15mg I started at in 2013. Apart from some terrible crunching in my knees all seems relatively well.

[Bookworm55]

Yes I have very little pain, swelling or stiffness now. Was diagnosed in early 2016 and am now on mtx and sulfasalazine. My RA came on very suddenly and severely just as I reached 60 but seems to have been controlled very quickly although I do still get tired. There are various studies that suggest that developing RA after 60 can result in a less severe disease so this may be why. Most of my residual pain probably comes from secondary osteoarthritis. I do know that this situation may not last but am very thankful atm. My niece developed RA at 19 and has had some very difficult times and my first cousin, also diagnosed at 60, is badly affected so I feel very fortunate!