Is it difficult to find a good treatment plan?

Because RA affects every individual a little bit differently, it can often be a process of trial and error to find the best treatment plan for a particular individual. I'd recommend asking your rheumatologist any questions you may have about your treatment options, sharing your concerns, and reporting back on how you are doing as honestly as possible. The best way to find a good treatment plan is to make sure you and your rheumatologist are working together as a team.

Typically, doctors will start with the least amount of intervention needed to see results. This means that it may take some time to find that sweet spot that works best for you with the least amount of side effects. It can be frustrating to discover that your, once effective, treatment plan is no longer working for you like it once was. Try not to be discouraged, things often need adjusting and your Rheumatologist will help you stay on top of your treatment and make changes as needed to meet your goals. In addition to discussing any concerns with your doctor, this article offers some helpful tips on how to know when it may be time for a new treatment plan:https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/when-is-it-time-for-a-new-treatment-plan/

It certainly can be. Again, because RA is so variable in terms of symptoms and progression, treatment is a challenge for many doctors and patients. Drugs started may work for a time, then stop. Others may never work at all. And in some lucky patients, treatments might work well the first time and then continue indefinitely.

It can take time and experimenting to find a treatment plan that works for you. Every individual is different and medications affect people and their RA in different ways. This means your doctor will prescribe treatments to try, gauge their effectiveness, and make changes depending on your test results and how you feel. Hang in there! It may take time, but effective treatment can drastically slow the disease and improve quality of life with RA.