My father that is 42 years old has rheumatoid Arthrits. He is on Methotrexate and Predisone. He has had Arthritis for around 3 years I believe, and he has been taking those pills for a while, although he doesn't take them daily, because he knows the danger of them. Will he be ok, can he die??
Please let me know this is bothering me.
2007-02-23 04:48:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Well, in a nutshell, it can be deadly. However, it's unlikely that it will happen! I was finally diagnosed with it 10 years ago when I was 20. Because I have a farely agressive case with it that I acquired when I was so young, I have to treat it agressively. For me, when I am not on my medications...the swelling is so bad that I can't walk. When I'm on them, I'm a farely normal person outside of some pain that others don't notice
Every case is quite different for everyone. For a lucky few, they can have a remission of sorts, but it usually only happens within the first few years. But from there, that's where any similarities to just "any" arthritis stops!
The majority of RA people get to take the moderately agressive meds for a lifetime, rarely have to change the meds and never have a side effect from them. Most RA people lead pretty normal lives for many years.
Still others have to take the most potent of the meds, the injections and infusions, to simply to go about their daily tasks. All of these meds. can have mild or horrid side effects, but not taking them can make a persons quality of life so bad, that they can't live their lifestyle even in a modified way. As I am now I can: go to work, hike, walk, play with my nieces and nephews. However, I've had to give up jogging, skiings, playing concert piano (my fingers turn into sausages), basketball, and I hold back on many other things. My voice also changed greatly since I had "rheumtoid nodules" occurr on my vocal chords. However, if I don't take my meds, I can't imagine where I would be at in only a year or two. For me, none of the natural or homeopathic remedies had any effect, although for some they do.
So, for me, the potentially deadly side effects of the medications outweigh not taking them. Especally when you consider what RA (and other autoimmune diseases have very similar effects) can do when it's left on its own. First it goes after the lining of the joints, then the defective cells actually start degrading the ends of the bones and the ligaments (and then muscles) where they attach to the bone, and if there's a just a ton of those defective cells the can go after other organs. However the last of those occurrances usually only happens when people aren't on medication or their meds have stopped working for them.
So, you father will likely be just fine for many years. He, should consult his doctore about how often to take the meds though as he might be doing himself more harm than good by not taking them regularly. But, he needs to keep a close watch for unusual signs since the RA can start effecting organs and the medications have side effects of their own. The other problem that a person can have though is: Having one autimmune disorder open the floodgates for many other immune disorders and illnesses. Since the body is already overwhelmed attacking itself on a regular basis it has a harder time fending of other viruses and bacteria and it often creates other problems for itself. People with RA are more susceptable to acquiring any disease that is caused by "mutant" cells.
My bet is on that you dad will be just fine and not to worry, but also not to be complacent or indifferent.
I think that the following site is pretty decent, but be sure to look at some the other links within it, and not just the page that it opens to. http://www.rheumatologychannel.com/rheumatoid/symptoms.shtml
oh.... and maybe "josh p" should take a look at some of the self help topics instead, certainly not helping other people!
2007-02-23 07:45:14 · answer #1 · answered by redchic01 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.
If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.
Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.
And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.
I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.
It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.
Today, I want to do the same for you!
2016-05-15 00:50:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Celebrex arthritis drug was prescribed to help treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects a high number of people; approximately one in 100 suffer from some severity of rheumatoid arthritis. With rheumatoid arthritis, the joints swell, stiffen, and become very sore and can affect the entire body. Often a life-long disease, rheumatoid arthritis can greatly disrupt a person’s life.
Anyone could die from anything. If a person can cope well, he no need to worry from such. Good family support is better than a person going to die than a person who is not going to die so soon who got no family support. I think the later will hope he die first.
2007-02-23 05:14:54 · answer #3 · answered by Mr L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hope not. I was diagnosed with RA 10 years ago. Pretty tough at first, but after we got the right medication everything is ok now. Been in remission for about 5 years. I never asked your question even though I'd heard from others who related RA as athe killing arthritis. SO to answer your question, I don't know. However, I really don't know I have it unless I over do it on the weekends.
2016-03-16 00:00:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It is not a deadly diease unless associated with other underlying medical conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It commonly affects the joints in a polyarticular manner.
Regular exercise and carefully controlled diet can usually help lessen the pain and stiffness associated with arthritic flare-ups.
Cold can increase the pain and stiffness.
Hope the advice above help. But I believe your father needs a filial son's care more than any most advanced medical technology in the world.
***
2007-02-23 04:54:10 · answer #5 · answered by Prof Hao 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It can be deadly, especially if it attacks major organs.
My mother has lupus which is similar to RA in that they're both treated similarly and they both mimic other diseases and can attack various organs/systems of the body. My mom has it pretty bad in her joints mostly and is on methotrexate and remicaide right now. By joints I mean that her tendons and ligaments are being attacked and dissolved by her own body-- not just "achy" in the morning or when it rains.
Some folks who get RA or lupus have it go into their renal systems or liver, etc., and it kills them off fairly quickly.
She's had it for 20 years now though and she's still kickin'.
PS-- RA is not "just" arthritis. It can be much, much more than stiff bones and joints in the morning.
Good luck!!
2007-02-23 05:55:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know what your dad is going through, this pain usually occurs with the weather.
He probably worked hard physical labor when he was young.
The best thing he can do is natural remedies like Ice bottles on the pain. If it is his shoulders, only ice is the real relief.
The pills are bad for him cause stomach troubles may occur.
Keep empty pepsi bottles filled with water in freezer frozen and when your dad hurts , tell him to put the bottles where he hurts for 20 min and he will see real results that are better than pills.
This is not deadly, my grandma had it and lived to be 95.
The problem is controling the pain when it comes on.
Cold weather and rain makes it worse or he may know when
it is going to rain for the pressure of pain coming on.
He will be okay---He may need calcium tablets to make bones strong and exercise every other day. Motrin helps too.
2007-02-23 05:00:10 · answer #7 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
rheumatoid arthritis deadly
2016-02-01 00:18:28 · answer #8 · answered by Sula 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First Josh_P is the moron. No question is stupid, it's just that you don't know the answer. As for your father, no he won't die from the arthritis, but it can be a very debilitating condition. I work in a Long Term Care facility, and many people have arthritis and for some it confines them to a wheelchair. Sorry to tell you, but you might want too prepare yourself to seeing your father in a very painful condition. Best Wishes
2007-02-23 04:57:03 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The arthritis itself is not a cause of death but rather complications that may develope because of it's incapcitating characteristics. It's to his advantage to excersize as much as he is capable of, eat a healthful diet and obviously follow the instructions of a specialist.
You can help by maintaining a positive, understanding and supportive relationship with him. Which judging by your concern you are doing.
2007-02-23 05:03:45 · answer #10 · answered by Patricia S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋