Rheumatoid arthritis information (Marilyn)

[Guest guest]

Marilyn,

This article might be one to take on your next doctor's visit.

The journal " Nature " is a most highly respected source.

They say that treatment with 'tumor necrosis factor' amerliorates (improves)

the course

of RA, which we know can be chronic, progressive.

Another word in the report is " symmetric " . which I believed was another

marker for

RA and JRA, though I didn't catch that in your description of 's

eperience.

With my friend, it could take a week to 10 days before she felt the

'symmetrical'

expression of swelling and pain, but it wasn't always identifiable. (same

joints on the other side

of the body.) For her, there were areas that were always a problem and be

immediately affected in a flare-up. Other areas would begin with new pain,

swelling, and would appear symmetrically.

I googled methotrexate quickly to see if it was specifically listed as a

tumor necrosis factor drug-

didn't see that, but did see it is a chemo drug-which we knew. There's

some info there

indicating how to help with digestion issues with methotrexate, if a problem

arises.

I tested the link, but if it doesn't work, let me know.

_Immunology and Cell Biology - Autoimmunity: Red line to arthritis_

(http://www.nature.com/icb/journal/v85/n1/full/7100018a.html)

in Ma.