Thursday, March 31, 2016

RA update

Not really. We're still in the early stages of figuring out what to do about this apparently permanent and debilitating condition. My primary care physician is assigning me to a rheumatologist for treatment. Interim care essentially is limited to prescription anti-inflammatory medications which come with some fairly alarming potential side effects -- increased risk of heart attack and stroke among other things -- and at least at times, they don't much work anyway.

At least there's this: so far actual joint damage is minimal, and treatment will aim to keep it that way. There's no cure, any more than there's a cure for Ms Ché's diabetes, but maintenance over the long term and prevention of further damage become the primary objectives.

Meanwhile, one learns to live with it.

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