Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options for You
You need to get proper treatment from the pain and inflammation that you are feeling with your rheumatoid arthritis. When it comes to your condition, you can choose from several rheumatoid arthritis treatment options. For this particular condition that affects your joint, there is no cure for it. So that you will not suffer from further damage to your joints and even deformity, you can increase your joint function with proper remedies and medication with the guidance from your rheumatologist. Below is a guide to rheumatoid arthritis treatment choices that you can choose from.
There are two medication classes that you can choose from if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. You have the first-line and the second-line drugs. For symptoms of this condition, first-line drugs are used to respond to them fast with the likes of cortisone and aspirin. They can help in the reduction of pain and inflammation. For patients who want to avoid using steroids as treatment, they choose to get those without steroid content. For the most part, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis can find the most fitting drug for them when they choose from different ones first. Usually, your rheumatologist will choose a particular first-line drug for you that gives you the least amount in terms of side effects.
If your rheumatologist requires a much stronger first-line drug from you, the use of corticosteroids in injection or oral form is the most common. You just have to watch out for serious side effects using these drugs even if you get better joint function and mobility. Getting high doses of these drugs for a period of time that is much longer will increase your chances of suffering from weight gain, facial puffiness, and muscle wasting.
If you choose second-line drugs, the action takes a much slower time to happen. Examples of these drugs include hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and gold. These drugs are often used to take care of progressive joint damage and offer disease remission. They do not have any anti-inflammatory action. Usually, for the most aggressive choice of second-line drugs, methotrexate is what your doctor will prescribe to you. For second-line drugs, they come in both oral and injection variants.
The use of immunosuppressive drugs is the most powerful treatment for rheumatoid arthritis but is often considered as the last resort only. This is usually being used for the aggressive type of rheumatoid arthritis.
For intense joint deformities, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis may have to go through surgery. For the most part, you get surgery when your rheumatoid arthritis has caused your joints to be damaged. Usually, orthopedic surgeons are the ones that will do arthroscopy. If your joint needs replacement like your hip or knee, your damaged tissue might need replacing with metal. All in all, you should see your rheumatologist first before knowing the best treatment option.