Question
I was diagnosed in 1996, believe I had for previous 10 yrs. Have done several drug studies. 2 yrs. ago developed psoris in my hair both sides just above my ears. 1 yr. ago started having flares. I had 3. After my last flare in March of 05, all symptoms started to go away. No swollen tender joints no psoris no swelling or prolonged morning stiffness.I was on Methotrexate and an anti-inflamatory. I had no refills left, and since remission was so dramatic , just didn’t ask for a refill. That was in June of 05. I just saw my Rheumatoligist. Says no more Methotrexate. come back in 6 mos. But he does not give me a lot of info on remission in R.A. Can you tell me where to find???
Answer
There is not a lot of info. Since patients who remain in remission tend not to go back to their rheumatologist, it is difficult to follow them to get good long term data. However, it is felt that in patients with classic RA (RF positive), remissions occur in as high as 20% (with or without drugs)but the remissions are short lived (less than 6 months) without drug therapy.
