My Dr told me with the severity of my RA....I will be in meds the rest of my life. This RA hit me really suddenly....woke up one day unable to move without hurting really bad! Did it happen like this with any of you guys???

My blood work indicated remission and I was given a medication vacation that lasted a couple of months, until the next flair. I’ve read that some people stay on their meds even when RA is not active. I think every Rhuematologist has their own approach.

When my sed rate and / or C reactive protein are within normal limits I usually have less symptoms which indicate to me a remission or being well managed

Is it RF or RA factor rather than RH? This doesn't sound quite right, but I can't bring to mind what I'm trying to think of. Isn't RH factor a protein that effects newborns if mom is Rh negative?

Well, whatever it is, as far as being in remission, I think a lot of people can be in medicine induced remission. Blood work and pain levels look good, but the real test is going off the meds and no symptoms reoccur. I tried that once, and as meds were slowly decreased, after a while pain started to gradually return in my joints. Knew then that it wasn't in remission. Just a false hope.

My next door neighbor has RA. Her first symptom was serious & dangerous lung involvement that sent her to the hospital. She is currently in remission , and has been for 10 years now. . No symptoms. Her Rheum says she needs to stay on her meds, in that RA remission is not like cancer remission. He’s warned her if she stops her meds, the RA could come back with a vengeance.