Am I in remission?
So Dx in January after having symptoms since last July. As some of you are aware, I have a very complicated situation as have another A/I disease that makes many of the standard RA meds contraindicated for me. Long story short, was just on Prednisone. Also started major diet changes. Feeling much better, had been up to 15 mg but then tapered down to 1 and felt great, like my normal self. Got Pred down to 1 mg per day. Then was traveling, got food poisoning and ER doc had me stop Pred until gut was better. So now it’s been almost a month and I feel good. Just had blood work, Sed rate down to 8, CRP fine. I see rheumy next week, will hear what she has to say. Outside of some fatigue though feel fine. Am I in remission? I’m inexperienced with having this long term. TIA
Hmmmm sometimes prednisone can make you feel like remission. In my experience I was in remission 7years after my diagnosis. But I had participated in a study out of the Mayo Clinic. They wouldn’t call it remission until my numbers and symptoms were showing that for about 8 months. I held that for nearly 5 years it was great. But it came back with a wallop! Been struggling back ever since. I truly hope you are remissing!
yes will see what Rheumy says Monday. I know most people aren’t fond of the R word, and since it’s incurable there is no finality but I don’t know what to say, I feel great. Sticking to long term low dose Pred for now. I’ve had a lot of experience with my other autoimmune disease which I have had for 15 years. Get small flares from that every once in awhile, but overall good. It’s also incurable so that patient community isn’t totally fond of the R word either but celebrates when folks feel good, which I do now. I’m just learning about RA now. With both diseases it’s more like one day, one week, one month, one year at a time. I’m thrilled the most that my blood work is SO good right now. Cheers!
Hello
, and first let me just say, congratulations on feeling so well. That is such wonderful news and I am so happy to hear that you feel so great! As far as remission, I will be curious to hear what your doctor says. That being said, for different people remission can mean different things. Some people define remission as when their numbers are all in the normal range, others when they aren't experiencing symptoms, and of course any other way someone might choose to define it for themselves. One of our advocates wrote an article about how she defines remission, that you might be interested in, https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/reevaluating-remission. In any case, whether or not you're technically experiencing remission, it is just so great that you are feeling so good. Please keep us posted with how your appointment goes on Monday and how you continue to feel. And don't hesitate to reach out here any time! Wishing you a gentle evening. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) well rheumy herself used the “R” word. Blood work all good, feel good, etc. Go back and see her in 6 months, unless have a flare between now and then. Stick with Pred, can go up and down as I need.
Personally I think a part of this is diet change combined with low dose Pred. Being off sugar itself and then on 30 plants per week has made a big difference for me, especially getting OFF sugar. Anyway onward and upward!that's amazing! I'm so happy for you that you're doing so well. I know so many people here have found making dietary changes helpful - our advocate, Daniel, has also found sugar to be his biggest trigger (aside from stress). It sounds like you've found a great combination for you! I'm crossing my fingers that you continue to feel good. Thanks so much for sharing your good news! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
