Taking my medications

By betsygarife

Last Updated:

1 min read

Hi! i'm betsy from the philippines. i got diagnosed last january 2018.

I really don't know much about RA even until now and i don't know someone who has RA. my doctor told me to take medications and told me things about RA but i never felt his sincerity to really help me. my brothers (since i don't have parents anymore) said just eat healthy and don't rely on medications. i started to do my research and watch youtube videos about RA. i found out that the medications has many side effects so i stopped taking it. i honestly don't know if it's the right thing to do. i wish someone could explain to me so i would understand. as of this writing, i am feeling pain in my elbow and my pinky finger which had been going on for months now. no swelling so far on my knees. not taking any medications. i am writing here because i have no one to talk to about my disease. should i take my medications? thank u.

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beckyd Member
Last Updated:
I also stopped my meds because of side effects. I'm trying to eat better (some days are better than others) which seems to help. I also take natural supplements (which have no side ) the spice Turmeric is also good to add to your foods but mix it with black pepper it helps the body to absorb it better. If you're interested in supplements let me know I would be happy to show you the online store I still deal with flare ups but most days are good! I hope that I was able to help
1. betsygarife Member
 Last Updated:
 Thank u for your comment.i would love to know what supplements are u taking and if its available here in the philippines.
hwb0w4 Member
Last Updated:
Hello Betsy: I'm sorry to hear that you are diagnosed with R.A. but Welcome. Most people who are first diagnosed with R.A., do not know anything about it, unless someone in their family has it or they know someone with it who has told them about it before hand. I didn't know anything about it either since I didn't know anyone with it, nor did we have the internet back then. The first Dr. I went to at the walk-in clinic thought I had been biking too much that week-end, so I was in pain. NOT! The 2nd Dr. at the clinic said that he didn't know what kind but I had some sort of Arthritis. He then referred me to a Rheumatologist who was very nice, did a lot of testing, gave me a total physical and knew all about Rheumatoid Arthritis. The next time I saw him he said, "You have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis" and so I listened to my Dr. (a Rheumatologist) and filled the prescription for the medications and followed the rest of his instructions. I never stopped taking the meds for R.A. unless they did not work or they stopped working after some time. I was in remission 4 or 5 times because of the meds. If I had stopped taking them, I would have been crippled long ago or may have died because R.A. also affects organs like lungs, heart, kidneys, etc. Even the eyes sometimes. Yes, the medications may cause a patient some side effects. We are all different. I have been lucky with minor effects except for 2 meds. I have been on 28 meds to date. The biologics didn't work for me. I hope that you do well. If you are not happy with your Dr. then there are others. He may be better, once you get to know him/her. You need a Rheumotologist.
1. betsygarife Member
 Last Updated:
 Thank your for your comment.it made me realize that i need to take my medication.and i was shocked to read that ra also affects vital organs in our body.i just had a laboratory and found out my sgpt/alt and sgot are high.i did not take any medications for four months now.so maybe its true that ra really affects organs.thank u for this comment.it really helped me alot.
Richard Faust Community Admin
Last Updated:
Hi betsygarife. The decision on whether or not to take medications is a personal one and, for your protection, we cannot give medical advice over the internet. The risks and side effects of the medications are real, but so are the risks of untreated RA. In this article one of our contributors writes about understanding the risks, but why she chooses to take various medications: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/counting-blessings-medications' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/counting-blessings-medications/</a>. In addition, I thought this video from one of our other contributors on managing medications and looking for side effects and interactions might be helpful: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/counting-blessings-medications' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/counting-blessings-medications/</a>. It is great that you are seeking out information and you are always welcome here for information and support. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
1. betsygarife Member
 Last Updated:
 Thank u very much.im happy i found this site where i think everybody can relate to and can freely talk about ra.