Quality of life is something I fully agree with. As individuals, we all have individual characteristics, but we also take specific medications to help our rheumatoid arthritis because we each one of us has specific needs to be met for care. When working with medication a conversation should be discussed with your rheumatoid specialist because you do have the right to ask questions and actually say no should that be decided for good reason.

As mentioned, I believe in the quality of life so I am someone that researches information given, I ask many questions to both my rheumatoid doctor including the pharmacist. If I were to come across another medication that would be of less damage to my body you can bet I will be bringing it up in a discussion with back up reasoning. That is how I look at the above.

I feel like I'm playing a real life game of " what would you rather?"

Good morning Lanie,

This is a tough question. Unique to each one of us. You can gain perspective from the answers. Shortening our life with the medications, I say they can. It all depends on the unique individual on whether they are prone to certain diseases. I am a high risk cancer (Breast and Colon) patient due to family. Yes, I am monitored to the best of the medical professionals' capabilities.

For me quality of life is important. I'm looking to slow down the progression of RA. Some medications that are difficult to tolerate are not for me. Medications I have tried that fit into this category are Methotrexate and Leflunomide...these 2 medications are a definite no. Part of the issue with these medications is the side effects, lowering our immune system, causing cancer, and so on.

It's continually bargaining about your life. Everything has a positive and a negative.