Home
Share
Forum
Rheumatoid arthritis Forum
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risks and Benefits of Chemotherapy Treatments

Back

Patients Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risks and Benefits of Chemotherapy Treatments

267 views
8 times supported
22 comments

Lee__R

Community manager

01/14/2019 at 3:50 PM

Good advisor

Lee__R

Community manager

Last activity on 04/03/2020 at 5:04 PM

Joined in 2018

1,338 comments posted | 44 in the Rheumatoid arthritis Forum

2 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Explorer
Friend
Top chef

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Chemotherapy is most often associated with cancer treatment, but it is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your own body mounts an immune attack on your joints.

chemotherapy hospital

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, this immune response causes inflammation and pain in the joints, particularly in the hands and feet. It can also affect the heart and lungs.

The chemotherapy drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen patients use to relieve pain and inflammation only treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but DMARDs treat the underlying cause of rheumatoid arthritis by changing the body’s immune response so it will stop attacking the joints, explains Healthgrades.

While chemotherapy is effective for rheumatoid arthritis, symptom relief can take months, and there are many potential side effects. Your physician will monitor your progress and occasionally take a blood sample. You may need to try a few different drugs before finding the best one.

The most common chemotherapy drug used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment is methotrexate.

According to Drugs.com, methotrexate can produce a long list of side effects. Some of the the minor side effects include:

* temporary hair loss

* decreased appetite

* nausea and vomiting

* skin rashes

* acne

More severe side effects warrant an immediate consultation with your physician. These severe side effects include, but are not limited to:

* bloody vomit and stool

* joint pain

* mouth sores

* stomach pain

* diarrhea

* swelling in the legs

* blurred vision

* dizziness

* fever and chills

* shortness of breath

* convulsions

Two other drugs, Imuran and Cytoxin, are less commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, says WebMD. These drugs can produce more severe, life-threatening side effects than methotrexate.

The American College of Rheumatology recommends that all patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis be treated early with chemotherapy because early treatment slows down the damage to joints. People who start treatment early are more likely to keep joints functioning for a longer period of time.

Have you tried chemotherapy for your RA? How did you find it?

Newsmax

All comments

Go to the last comment

DonnaK

02/18/2020 at 3:54 AM

Good advisor

DonnaK

Last activity on 08/22/2024 at 12:13 AM

Joined in 2019

35 comments posted | 26 in the Rheumatoid arthritis Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi Honey,

Many RA suffers use CBD. I have for over 2 years. Naturally it has 40% more anti inflammatory agents than Advil and the like. It helps for sleep. Many benefits. I have studied and take the purest form. Let me know if you want info. [Email address removed by Moderator]

See the signature

DONNA K

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risks and Benefits of Chemotherapy Treatments https://www.carenity.us/forum/rheumatoid-arthritis/your-opinion-on-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment/rheumatoid-arthritis-risks-and-benefits-of-chemotherapy-treatments-684 2020-02-18 03:54:11

KellyBartlett

07/28/2024 at 3:38 PM

KellyBartlett

Last activity on 10/09/2024 at 3:48 AM

Joined in 2019

3 comments posted | 2 in the Rheumatoid arthritis Forum

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I've tried Methotrexate but not on a regular basis, my Doctor may prescribe it when I'm in a flare, but I really don't think much of it

See the signature

Kelly A Bartlett

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

09/09/2024 | News

What are the complications of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

08/23/2023 | Testimonial

Dietitian Tanya helps the Lupus community to reduce their symptoms with diet and healthy living.

06/09/2023 | News

Etanercept (Enbrel®, Erelzi®, Eticovo®): everything there is to know about this drug!

04/19/2023 | Testimonial

Rheumatoid arthritis: “Never stop dreaming!”

01/14/2019 | Advice

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risks and Benefits of Chemotherapy Treatments

12/11/2018 | Advice

9 Arthritis Pain Relief Tips for Winter Weather

08/29/2018 | News

Are you interested in CBD oil to help manage your chronic condition?

10/16/2018 | Testimonial

Rheumatoid arthritis may affect every part of my live, but that does not mean my life is over.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Risks and Benefits of Chemotherapy Treatments

Chemotherapy is most often associated with cancer treatment, but it is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which your own body mounts an immune attack on your joints.

All comments

Give your opinion

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...