There is no remedy against rheumatoid arthritis (PR), a type of chronic and inflammatory arthritis. But it is possible to reach a remission, a period when your condition is well controlled.
With remission, you may have the impression that your PR has disappeared, at least for a while. “This is actually our goal: to be in remission,” said Orrin Troum, MD, rheumatologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Here are some facts to keep in mind on the remission of PR.
1. Remission does not mean that your symptoms completely disappear
When your PR symptoms seem controlled and you feel good, it may seem an obvious sign of remission. But from a medical point of view, the remission is a little more complex.
In the 1980s, remission was defined as the elimination of all activity of PR. But in practice, this definition was not a realistic objective.
- No more than a tender joint
- No more than a swollen joint
- A blood test showing little or no inflammation
- Your perception of the activity of your disease
But your rheumatologist will not necessarily use this system in the office. “Certain definitions of remission are linked to the subjective feelings of the person,” adds Dr. Troum.
For example, your rheumatologist may ask you to describe your PR on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most annoying. “Even if a person has no painful or swollen joints and their inflammation tests are normal, if they indicate that it is 3 on the scale, it may not be in remission,” explains Troum.
2. The duration of the remission may vary considerably
3. The earlier you start the treatment, the bigger your chances of obtaining a remission
“It is generally necessary to present symptoms for at least six weeks to make a diagnosis, but the earlier the diagnosis, the less the damage will be caused,” explains Troum. “As soon as you manage to control inflammation, you can prevent the progress of changes in the joints.”
4. A combination of drugs and lifestyles can help you maintain a remission
The most important step to maintain remission is to respect your treatment plan and take your drugs exactly as prescribed.
That said, your lifestyle also plays a role. Some ways to maintain remission:
- Don’t smoke. In a study, 47 percent of PR people who took a dmard called methotrexate – and who were also current smokers – had an inadequate response to the drug, which means that they always had a high activity of the disease.
- Stay active. The exercise is beneficial for everyone, but especially when you suffer from PR. Low impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming and yoga can all be good options that will not stress your joints. “Whatever exercise you can do and you will do, it can help you,” says Troum.
- Eat healthy. An anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can help reduce inflammation in your body which otherwise contributes to PR. This means focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats like those of fish and olive oil.
- Keep other health problems under control. In addition to taking care of your joints, it is important to take care of the rest of your body. If you suffer from another health problem, such as diabetes or heart disease, be sure to receive the right treatment. “Keeping all your organs as healthy as possible will also help you,” says Troum.
Certain supplements can also reduce inflammation, such as omega-3 fatty acids to high doses or turmeric, according to Troum. If you want to take supplements for your PR, talk to your rheumatologist first.
5. You may be able to reduce your medication when you reach a remission
You may be able to start taking a lower dose of your medication once you have been in remission for at least six months, under the direction of your doctor. That said, you will probably not be able to stop all the drugs, especially the Dmard, explains Troum.
“Sometimes people take two or three drugs for their arthritis, and yes, they can decrease some,” he said. But the dmard you take, whether it is a traditional dmard, a biological product or an inhibitor of the Janus Kinase (Jak), is what keeps you in remission. “You usually have to stay there or go [another DMARD] This will keep you in remission, ”notes Troum.
Work with your doctor to determine if you can gradually reduce your PR treatment during remission.
6. The relapses are common
Your doctor will want to confirm that you take your medication in a consistent and correct manner. If you are in relapse, but you continue to do so, you may have to go to another DMard to regain control of your symptoms. “Different biological products have different action mechanisms, as are Jak inhibitors,” said Troum.
In the event of a push, immediately notify your rheumatologist so that you can take the necessary measures to adjust your treatment plan and, ideally, find a remission.
Take -out dishes
- It is possible to obtain a remission of rheumatoid arthritis, but your symptoms may not disappear completely and thrusts can still occur.
- Start early treatment with PR with antirhumatic drugs modifying the disease (ARMM) increases the chances of obtaining a remission.
- A combination of coherent management of drugs and lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, staying active and following an anti-inflammatory diet can help maintain PR.
- Relapses are frequent and may require medication adjustments; Always consult a health professional if the symptoms reappear or if changes in treatment are necessary.
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