“Remission” is a word often thrown around in arthritis and autoimmune circles and can often be misconstrued as “cure.” So let’s start with what we mean when we say “remission” in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Remission isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about achieving a state where there are no visible signs or symptoms of RA, minimal joint inflammation, and low levels of inflammation markers in the blood. It’s what every rheumatologist and RA warrior strive for when making decisions about treatment.
The Treat to Target Strategy
But how exactly do we get to this state of remission? This is where the Treat to Target strategy comes in. This approach involves regularly assessing disease activity and adjusting treatment plans accordingly. During each visit, your rheumatologist will check the number of swollen and tender joints, along with inflammation markers in your blood like CRP and ESR. These treatment decisions aren’t one-sided—they’re supposed to be a collaborative effort between you and your doctor. How you are feeling and what your personal goals are should be taken into account, so don’t be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts and concerns.
Monitoring Remission at Home
Remission isn’t just about what happens in the doctor’s office—it’s about how you’re feeling day in and day out. That’s why home monitoring is so important. By keeping track of your symptoms at home, you can provide your doctor with valuable insights into your disease activity. Start by noting the number of good versus bad days each week. RA treatment can’t usually completely eliminate the bad days, but we should get to a place where the bad days are few and far between. Pay attention to symptoms like morning stiffness, difficulty gripping objects, and fatigue. Also note how often you reach for ibuprofen other pain medications. As your RA inflammation calms down, you should need these medications less.
The Importance of Communication
One of the key ingredients in achieving remission is open communication between you and your doctor. If you’re not feeling like your treatment plan is working, speak up. Your doctor is there to help, but they can’t read your mind. By sharing your experiences and concerns, you can work together to find a solution that works for you. If you are still not feeling well, these conversations can help your doctor figure out why. Is your Rheumatoid Arthritis still active or is there something else going on?
A Holistic Approach to Remission
Finally, let’s talk about the bigger picture. Achieving remission isn’t just about calming RA inflammation – it’s about getting back to living your life! That means paying attention to lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, stress management, and mental health. These pillars of a healthy lifestyle help RA inflammation stay at bay while also boosting your energy and allowing you to thrive!
Achieving remission is a process and requires patience, open communication with your doctor and other care team providers and honest check-ins with yourself about what is working and what isn’t.