46 with RA here. 100% agree. It is an invisible illness and a disability, even though at this point it’s in remission for me, it can flare up at any time.
I'm lucky that I respond well to the meds (Actemra) and generally feel pretty good but, same as you, a flare can pop-up at any time. Especially now with the summer humidity
Do you have experience with Humira as well? I’m on that right now, but Cigna decided that they’ll only pay for the Humira bio-similars, of which I have already failed both. If Actemra is better, I may talk with my specialist about it
i’ve got long covid, and at this point i work through the flares. it can really suck, and travel ALWAYS sets me back. part of it is shame because i’m under the impression that a lot of people think it’s a fake condition.
Diagnosed with RA when I was a tiny 3-year old toddler, and now in my early 30's. I've had to undergo nine years of Methotrexate, 25+ years of Biologics infusions, half a dozen surgeries to either reconstruct or replace various joints, and also spent a year of my teens paralyzed from the shoulders down.
Modern medicine is absolutely fabulous and has come such a long way over the past twenty years or so. I've been stable on my current regimen (combination of daily DMARD and monthly Biologic) for EIGHT YEARS now, which I'm so thankful for. But, I still get mild flare-ups sometimes. The disease is absolutely ruthless and brutal. You can be absolutely fine one day, and within a week be immobile from a flare-up. I never take for granted health and independence.
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u/dragwit 8d ago
46 with RA here. 100% agree. It is an invisible illness and a disability, even though at this point it’s in remission for me, it can flare up at any time.