hello, i was on enbrel for four months, due to complications they switched me to humira. i was on that for four months also, and was taking methotrexate the whole time. I had bad side effects so i decided to stop all the meds. i got my Dr. permission. and i have not taken any RA meds at all for over six weeks now, and i still feel good!! just not sure if this is long enough to determine wether or not i am in remission. man do i hope so, i hope i have'nt spoke too soon! i have been on beta blockers for three weeks now due to severe headaches and it seems to be working good! still taking some culturelle for digestive problems but those side effects seem to be gettin better also, this is the best i have felt this year! does anyone have any knowledge of how you can tell if your body is in remission, Thanks!!
Hi!
Just like how you were dx with RA with symptom criteria and blood tests, that is the only way to determine a remission. A remission is actually only classified if such things like your RF counts and CRP #'s drop considerable with no signs or symptoms of disease such as elevated WBC or pain, swelling, stiffness.
It sounds to me that you are doing very well and are lucky not to have overwhelming symptoms. I do hope things continue to do well for you. But I must mention that is is necessary to continue to see your rheumatologist regularly to keep track of disease progression. Just because we do not have outward signs of RA does not mean something is not happening beneath the surface.
Enjoy your pain free days with as much gusto as you can muster. And be care not to wake the sleeping bear.
I wish you plenty of harmony and good will
Thanks alot Ronie, i will schedule a visit with my Rhumey asap! and i wish you the best of luck! you seem to have great spirits considering your condition. i have had days where i am just sick and tired of all the Dr's and Meds and especially the rotten side effects! i guess you just got to keep on keepin on!! :-)