Re: Monitoring progression

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sierra. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better.

It's great that you are being extra cautious. It is wise to ask for x-rays.

Some rheumatologists have suggested that the goal should be " no evidence of

disease (NED), " but there is no consensus (or even guidelines as to

precisely how NED would be decided).

The following is an interesting article on this topic. It focuses on the

lessons learned from the TACORA (Tight Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

study. The messages from this particular study are: to treat RA early, treat

it aggressively, and aim for a low Disease Activity Score (DAS). In the

study, they also considered x-ray scores. No TNF inhibitors were being taken

by any of the subjects.

****************

Hospital for Special Surgery

December 28, 2003

" Can tight control of early RA - with a target - help you feel a lot better

and reduce joint damage? " :

http://www.hss.edu/Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis/Tight-Control-Of-Early-RA---P\

atient

****************

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Monitoring progression

> Hi all,

> I'll be seeing my rheumy in August and will ask him this question,

> but until then, thought I'd ask you folks what you know. Is decreased

> inflammation and " feeling better " an accurate way of concluding that

> the disease is not progressing? My (new) rheumy told me I could

> decrease my MTX if I was feeling better.

>

> I AM feeling better. The acupuncture and Chinese herbs have given me

> a real boost lately. But I want to make sure that there

> isn't " quiet " joint destruction happening. Perhaps X-rays are the way

> to know for sure. I have already requested that they be taken at my

> next visit to compare to the previous ones.

>

> My mom has chosen not to treat her RA, and I have witnessed what can

> happen...her hands are misshapen and she is fast losing the ability

> to walk. Though she's only in her early 60s, she lives as a shut-in.

> I don't want to become like her!

>

> Thanks for your thoughts.

>

> Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi, Sierra. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better.

It's great that you are being extra cautious. It is wise to ask for x-rays.

Some rheumatologists have suggested that the goal should be " no evidence of

disease (NED), " but there is no consensus (or even guidelines as to

precisely how NED would be decided).

The following is an interesting article on this topic. It focuses on the

lessons learned from the TACORA (Tight Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis)

study. The messages from this particular study are: to treat RA early, treat

it aggressively, and aim for a low Disease Activity Score (DAS). In the

study, they also considered x-ray scores. No TNF inhibitors were being taken

by any of the subjects.

****************

Hospital for Special Surgery

December 28, 2003

" Can tight control of early RA - with a target - help you feel a lot better

and reduce joint damage? " :

http://www.hss.edu/Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis/Tight-Control-Of-Early-RA---P\

atient

****************

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Monitoring progression

> Hi all,

> I'll be seeing my rheumy in August and will ask him this question,

> but until then, thought I'd ask you folks what you know. Is decreased

> inflammation and " feeling better " an accurate way of concluding that

> the disease is not progressing? My (new) rheumy told me I could

> decrease my MTX if I was feeling better.

>

> I AM feeling better. The acupuncture and Chinese herbs have given me

> a real boost lately. But I want to make sure that there

> isn't " quiet " joint destruction happening. Perhaps X-rays are the way

> to know for sure. I have already requested that they be taken at my

> next visit to compare to the previous ones.

>

> My mom has chosen not to treat her RA, and I have witnessed what can

> happen...her hands are misshapen and she is fast losing the ability

> to walk. Though she's only in her early 60s, she lives as a shut-in.

> I don't want to become like her!

>

> Thanks for your thoughts.

>

> Sierra