What Are the Treatments for RA?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease with no known cure. It is debilitating, and it causes the bones in the arms or legs to become weak and twisted over time. It strikes both old and young. Despite its progressive nature, however, there are treatments that can slow its progress or ease the intense pain that accompanies this disease.

NSAIDS

• NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. According to the Johns Hopkins website, the first major NSAID to be used was aspirin. Most RA patients have abandoned or significantly reduced its use because of its effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Now ibuprofen is the more popular NSAID. NSAIDs are valuable in rheumatic medicine because, as the Johns Hopkins website points out, they block the manufacture of prostaglandins, which the website describes as "mediators of inflammation and pain."

Corticosteroids

• According to the Johns Hopkins website, corticosteroids are effective adjunctive medicines that you take while waiting for the NSAIDs and DMARDs to take effect. Your doctor administers them orally, intravenously, or he can inject the steroid directly into your affected joint. Prednizone has a reputation for negative side effects, such as the characteristic fat face. Patients have also reported weight gain and elevated blood pressure or sugar as a result of taking corticosteroids.

  These medicines are not for long-term treatment. As the Johns Hopkins website says, they can lead to serious complications, such as osteoporosis. High doses are not necessary or helpful, unless doctors have determined that life-threatening consequences of RA have set in.

DMARDS

• According to the Johns Hopkins article, DMARDs, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, are by far the most effective of the RA medicines. The website recommends that a patient should start treatment on DMARDs shortly after an initial RA diagnosis. While they do not cure the disease, they are known for their tendency to take effect rather rapidly, at about six to eight weeks. Patients generally take 10 to 25 milligrams a week, and some even stay on the drug after five years.

Therapy

• A physical therapist helps you cope with your new condition. He offers suggestions to ease the stress on your painful joints. The Mayo Clinic website suggests that you pick up an object using your forearms to avoid further aggravation of fingers that are already sore. Leaning into a glass door instead of pushing it open with a sore arm also is effective.

  The therapist may suggest certain assistive devices for you, such as gripping tools for use in the kitchen. Once your disease has progressed and your gait has become more unsteady, a cane, a walker or maybe even an indoor cart may be useful.

Surgery

• According to the Mayo Clinic website, your doctor may suggest surgery after all other avenues have failed. There are surgeries available that can correct a deformed or withered bone.