Why Remission Matters in Inflammatory Arthritis

At UnabridgedMD, we often meet patients who have been living with inflammatory arthritis for years—doing better than they once were, but still not truly well.

Watch the video here: You Don’t Have to Live Like This: Remission Is Possible

“Better” Is Not the Same as Remission

Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout are driven by immune-mediated inflammation. The good news: we now have highly effective treatments that don’t just reduce symptoms—they can control disease activity and, in many cases, help patients reach remission.

And that distinction matters.

Feeling “okay” or “better than before” is not the same as living without active disease.

Remission means there is no ongoing inflammation (with or without medication). Practically, it often looks like:

• Minimal or no joint swelling

• Minimal or no joint pain

• Little to no morning stiffness

• Improved energy and function

• Low or normal inflammatory markers on labs (when applicable)

Being okay is not the goal. Remission is.

How We Approach Treatment

When starting or adjusting treatment, we focus on two key questions.

1) Can you tolerate the medication?

If a treatment causes unacceptable side effects, there is no reason to push through. There are many effective options available, and intolerance is a clear reason to adjust the plan.

2) Is it truly working?

Most disease-modifying therapies take about three months to show their full effect.

If, after that time, there is still joint pain, swelling, fatigue, or inflammation on bloodwork, the treatment plan should be adjusted. Feeling somewhat better is not enough.

Steroids like prednisone can work quickly, but they are not a long-term solution. Our goal is always to control disease safely and sustainably.

We Have Options—Many of Them

If a first medication doesn’t fully control disease activity, we don’t stop there. Treatment may involve:

• Adjusting doses

• Adding or switching conventional DMARDs

• Introducing biologic or targeted therapies

• Using combination therapy when appropriate

Today, we have multiple pathways we can target, and it is very rare that we cannot find a regimen that brings disease under excellent control.

Access and insurance challenges are real. But with experience, persistence, and patient advocacy, solutions are often available.

Why This Sometimes Gets Missed

In traditional, high-volume practices, time is limited. If a patient appears “stable” and symptoms are improved, there may not be enough time to dig deeper.

But stability is not the same as remission.

We also see patients who underreport symptoms out of fear that effective medications might be taken away. Open, honest communication is essential. Tender joints, ongoing fatigue, or lingering inflammation are signals that more can—and should—be done.

A Different Outcome Is Possible

We’ve seen many patients transform their lives when treatment is adjusted with a remission-focused plan. Over time, some reach full remission. And for many, once disease control is stable, medications can be safely reduced or spaced out—with close monitoring—so they can live with the least medication necessary and no active disease.

That’s what we strive for with every patient.

Don’t Settle for “Good Enough”

If you are living with inflammatory arthritis, know this: a normal, full life is possible.

Whether you work with us or with another rheumatologist, it is reasonable—and important—to ask:

1. Am I in remission?

2. If not, what are our next options?

There is hope, there are treatments, and there is a path forward.

At UnabridgedMD, our mission is to help patients reach that goal—because you deserve more than just “okay.”

Are you in need of a compassionate rheumatologist who will listen and work with you toward disease remission? If you're searching for the best direct-care rheumatologist in Denver, UnabridgedMD is here for you. Click here to get in touch https://www.unabridgedmd.com or call 303-731-4006

BOOK YOUR DISCOVERY CALL NOW

or call 303-731-4006

#Rheumatology #InflammatoryArthritis #RheumatoidArthritis #AutoimmuneDisease #ArthritisRemission #TreatToTarget #ChronicIllnessCare #PatientCenteredCare #LivingWithArthritis #AutoimmuneAwareness #ModernRheumatology #ArthritisTreatment #JointHealth #PainIsNotNormal #ConciergeMedicine #DirectCareMedicine #FunctionalMedicine #DenverRheumatology #UnabridgedMD #HopeInHealing