Rheumatoid arthritis, which is most common in women, can be managed in its early stages with painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs. As the disease worsens, however, these drugs lose effectiveness. For patients with milder forms of the disease, better painkillers are coming. Fewer side effects will also allow higher doses. As the disease progresses, patients take combinations of painkillers, chemotherapy drugs, injected gold solutions and steroids.
Some patients continue to deteriorate, though.
In the worst cases, patients are unable to wash their hair or get out of bed. Many have joints and bones replaced and tendons repositioned. About 40 percent are unable to hold a job within six years of diagnosis. She has taken countless drugs and undergone surgery, including an operation to replace the joints in one hand and another to remove deteriorating bones in her feet. Data released at the American College of Rheumatology conference in San Diego this week shows that Remicade is safe and effective in reducing swelling and tenderness in the joints of people with advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis.