Treatment Uncertainty
About this time last year I switched biologics because the old one wasn’t working for me anymore. While the new biologic never helped as much as the previous one, it did reduce my inflammation somewhat for a time. Now my CRP is elevated, along with feeling worse for a few months, and I’m again wondering if it is time to change treatments.
Looking into different options
When I met with my doctor, he gave me some homework to look up 2 drug options. I like that he does that because I’m the type of nerd that will dive in and swim through information to learn about a drug’s potential, risks, and side effects. Thankfully, my husband also enjoys this kind of research, so we can compare what we find and discuss.
As I’ve written previously, treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis were very limited when I was growing up with the disease. I’m still adjusting to the fact that I have other options—lots of them. In fact my doctor humorously reminded me: “you know, people change treatments, sometimes often.”
What I would tell others
If I were advising someone with new rheumatoid arthritis, I would tell them to be aggressive with treatments and change frequently (while still allowing time for a reasonable test period) until they find something that helps. But my situation is very different because I have lived with RA for more than 38 years and have extensive joint damage.
My expectations for my medications are to minimize further damage from the RA and manage the disease’s symptoms as much as possible. Nothing is going to reverse the damage with which I live. I’m not going to run marathons, but I would like my pain to be as minimal as possible and my fatigue to be kept in check.
Usually summer is my best time of year, but since spring I have been struggling with fatigue. Sometimes it has been so severe I have missed days at work. Other times I can barely keep myself going through a full day. And I have had more joint aches and stiffness along the way. I’d like to think that I don’t have ridiculous expectations of my treatment—that being more comfortable is an impossible dream. But I honestly don’t know if this just may be the new normal to which I need to adjust.
Should I switch treatments?
Outside of some brief months, I’ve never had a CRP result near normal range. It has come down sometimes and I have felt better. But nothing has ever lasted. And we honestly can’t tell if I just have systemic inflammation or active RA. I suppose it could also be a combination of both.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to switch medications, since my current one is not working well for me, I worry even more about trying a different drug that works even less well. Sure, I’m not doing great, but I am hanging in there. Another drug could be a mismatch that results in worsening symptoms. And it takes a few months to be sure! My experience is that it typically takes a month for the drug to get working in my system, but truly 3 months before I know whether or not it is working. I don’t look forward to the painful passage of time and waiting for improvement.
I’m not in a rush to change treatments, so I’m going to try some lifestyle adjustments to see if they help at all. I’m working on eliminating some stressors and adjusting my diet. I’ll keep up with the exercise. And while I do what I can, I’ll also do my homework and some contemplation about whether it is time to make another change.
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