My mother (age 83) just got a dx of RA. She has not felt well for a year and thought she had osteo-arthritis. In the past month she has been bedridden with swollen joints, inflamation, redness of her hands, shoulder, ankles, neck. She is being treated aggressively with prednisone and methotraxate. Relafin did nothing to relieve her pain previokusly. She is feeling slightly better in the past week with this tx. Can I expect that she will get better? Will she be able tjo return tjo her former way of life such as swiming daily, doing volunteer work, driving a car? Thank you.
Reply: ---------------------
I recommend that your mom sees a rheumologist recommended by the Arthritis Association if not done already. As a family doc, I can diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis and prescribe straight forward meds, but when you get to severe disability and the big guns like methotrexate, it's time for the specialists.
Your certainly has a chance of significant improvement. Return to full activity may or may not be a reasonable expectation. I recommend accompanying your mom when she sees the rheumatologist and asking him or her yourself.
--
Paul Hunter, MD - Family Doc.
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
Click here to review
previous General Medical Clinic consultations