In the Dumps

By snu5qq

1 min read

I have had RA and fibromyalgia for 25 years. I have tried lots of different biologics and other medications over that time. Some have worked better than others, and some not at all. I'm at a point where I'm wondering if anything is ever really going to make me feel better. I can't remember the last time I woke up and actually felt good. It just doesn't happen anymore. I used to have hope, but I feel it dwindling.

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Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi, <inline-mention username="snu5qq" user-id="3148024"/>! First, apologies for not replying to your post earlier! I hear you and I know it's incredibly exhausting and frustrating when it seems like nothing brings you lasting relief from your symptoms. And, after 25 years, I have no doubt you have tried plenty of treatments. Please know you are not alone here. I know many of our members can relate and I hope they see your post and chime in here. I wish I could wave a magic wand and you would have the perfect treatment for your needs (or better yet, you wouldn't even have RA or Fibro), but I can't do that. I hope knowing you are not alone offers you some measure of comfort. I do hope you are surprised by some days where you feel good. Gentle Hugs, Erin, Team Member.
Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="snu5qq" user-id="3148024"/>. I just want to check in and see how you are doing. Please know that people here understand. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), was diagnosed at age two, 45 years ago - before modern treatments with the damage to show for it. Like you, she had a lot of treatments over the years, some more helpful than others, but none great. Several years ago she started a treatment that brought her inflammation numbers into the normal range for the first time. Another contributor, <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3160778"/>, has a very similar story. I tell you this to indicate that finding an effective treatment can happen. I know that this is not helping you in the here and now, but hope that knowing that others in similar circumstances have found improvement can help. This community is here for you. Best, Richard (Team Member)
snu5qq Member
Thanks for responding. I do have good days but not nearly as often as I used to. They are definitely fewer these last couple of years. I try to take them when they do come and make the most of them I can. 
1. Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="snu5qq" user-id="3148024"/> Many of us who live with this condition have to deal with pain and fatigue and it definitely stinks. We all try to do our best but there are some days when you just can't do it. I think we all go through that and just try to form a routine that works for us. Some days we can, some we can't, but you are definitely not alone in that! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
2. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="snu5qq" user-id="3148024"/>. Mind if I ask which biologics you have tried? I ask because the various biologics act on different inflammatory molecules. If you have tried multiple biologics that inhibit one type of molecule, but none of a different kind, those untried inhibitors may be a direction of opportunity. For example, most people are started on TNF inhibitors, such as Humira and Enbrel, but may not have tried interleuken-6 inhibitors or interleuken-1 inhibitors. This article from our editorial team on biologics includes the different types: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/biologics' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/biologics</a>. Also, I don't know if you have ever tried or discussed JAK inhibitors, such as Xeljanz, Rinvoq, and Olumiant (see here for more info: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/targeted-synthetic-dmards' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/targeted-synthetic-dmards</a>). Hope this information might be helpful. Best, Richard (Team Member)