Why Early Diagnosis and Therapeutic Intervention is Needed for Rheumatoid Arthritis

One of the oldest and largest medical foundations in Santa Barbara County in California recently got their top two rheumatologists, their staff, representatives for the maker of one of the latest injectable drugs and a patient on that said drug all together to discuss rheumatoid arthritis.

The topic was: Inflammatory Arthritis-Diagnosis and Early Therapeutic Intervention. The main speaker for the Samsum Clinic was Dr. Stuart Segal. Pointing out that the sooner the patient receives treatment, the less joint damage and deformity will take place, which in turn makes the possibility of living a productive and less painful life more the norm than in years past.

Dr. Daniel Gibson, also from Samsum Clinic, made it clear, that with the medications on the market today, he can go into a room and say with confidence to a new patient, that they do not have the outlook of being wheelchair bound, gnarled and in growing pain for the rest of their lives.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis usually involves combination therapy. The last decade has seen major improvements. There are now tumor necrosis factor blocker drugs (TNF) available that minimize joint erosion. The most common are: Enbrel, Humira and Remicade. The first two are self-injected, the last must be given in a hospital through IV.

Dr. Segal said the main idea behind the early intervention was to, at best, hopefully start treatment before any joint erosion could take place. If not sidestep deformity, to at least catch it and prevent further permanent damage by slowing it down, if not stopping it from progressing any further.

The patient who joined the medical seminar to give her point of view and let them know what a difference using one of the TNF drugs in combination with the more traditional ones happened to be me.

All the medical personnel and the drug company listened to what a difference the regimen had made in my life. They were aghast that the original physical medicine doctor who treated me didn't diagnose me correctly for six years and amazed that it was a trip to my orthodontist that put me on the road back to primarily good health.

The physical medicine doctor decided since my hands weren't totally gnarled and deformed and my blood tests came back negative for RA, that I had fibromyalgia. He looked no further and shot me full of cortisone and anti-inflammatory drugs. Then the erosion hit my jaw, I couldn't open my mouth more than the width of one finger. My main diet of raw vegetables and fruit changed to soup and applesauce. I could no longer walk from the pain in my feet.

The orthodontist convinced me, with the aide of an x-ray, to insist on seeing a rheumatologist.

Thanks to this doctor and his staff working closely with my recovery in mind, I was able to WALK into the meeting and STAND UP to talk about what a difference being on the TNF had on my existence. In the four years since starting the injections (which my husband gives me), I am now back to being able to power walk, do strengthening exercises, take care of my husband and our home. I've resumed my writing career.

With some help from physical therapists, I've regained most of the use of my jaw. Working crossword puzzles no longer requires "rest stops" for my cramping hands and I am able to zip and snap jeans-no more pull on pants for me!

In this "meeting of the minds" we all agreed-early diagnosis and treatment can make the difference as to whether or not a patient will be able to live a productive life.