“Are steroid medicines considered more effective for treating rhematoid arthritis?”
I was detected with rheumatoid arthritis about a year back. I have been taking ayurvedic to treat it, and while there is some improvement, there still seems to be a little swelling around the left knee. Are steroid medicines considered better to treat this condition?
4 Answers
I have a perspective of being rheumatologist before and after the Biologic Revolution
RA is a systemic illness and the RA patient is affected by activated proteins released by macrophages………….we call them CYTOKINES
The basis of treatment is with what we call DMARD’s- drugs such as Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine or Leflunomide
When these meds are not ideally effective, we use a Class of medicines called Biologics - drugs such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Simponi - called TNF inhibitors
Orencia is another
actemra and Kevzara another class ; IL 6 inhibitors
Rituxan is a B cell modulator
And Xeljanz, Olumiant, and rinvoq are Jak inhibitors
See a Rheumatologist and get best treated
RA is a systemic illness and the RA patient is affected by activated proteins released by macrophages………….we call them CYTOKINES
The basis of treatment is with what we call DMARD’s- drugs such as Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine or Leflunomide
When these meds are not ideally effective, we use a Class of medicines called Biologics - drugs such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Simponi - called TNF inhibitors
Orencia is another
actemra and Kevzara another class ; IL 6 inhibitors
Rituxan is a B cell modulator
And Xeljanz, Olumiant, and rinvoq are Jak inhibitors
See a Rheumatologist and get best treated
Steroids could play a role.
Rheumatoid arthritis can result in serious changes to the affected joints. There are many treatments that can be effective in slowing the changes caused by this disease. Steroids are not necessarily the appropriate medication. You should consult a rheumatologist to confirm your diagnosis and to learn of the possible treatments.
Non-FDA approved medication isn't proven to help RA, and steroids are best in small doses over a short time because of the side effects. If you have true RA, disease-modifying agents are more appropriate (methotrexate, gold, imuran, plaquenil, penicillamine, Arava, etc.).
