A member asked:

I have r.artritis in my hands. i don't take medication because i'm afraid of the side effects? i have r.a. in my hands. my finger joints are becomming deformed. i am scared to take medication because of all the side effects they cause. without taking drug

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Please : Please don't let your fear of potential side effects get in the way of obtaining proper treatment for your rheumatoid arthritis. Today, there are many very effective medications to slow or halt the progression of damage to joints from ra. I urge you to work with a rheumatologist to find the best medications for your individual case. It's the doctor's job to balance the risks and benefits of any medication against the risk of the disease left untreated. Without proper treatment, RA can lead to severe disability and even shortened life expectancy.

Answered 3/13/2018

5.4k views

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Dr. Joel Cooperman answered

Specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Not much: If you have RA , properly diagnosed by a doctor, confirmed.With blood tests, you probably need medication. Talk to a rheumatologist about your medication concerns. Natural remedies may be able to give some relief, but if you have deformities in your joints already, you need to see a rheumatologist.

Answered 11/27/2017

5.3k views

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