Dealing With A Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Diagnosis

Mercy rheumatologist Dr. Lynn Ludmer diagnoses and treats a variety of diseases associated with arthritis and muscle disease, including multiple types of inflammatory arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as autoimmune connective tissue disorders. In this brief article, Dr. Ludmer offers her advice regarding the treatment of RA from the patient’s perspective…

To me the most important thing about an RA diagnosis is to develop a good long-term relationship with one's rheumatologist. While there are great web sites like the American College of Rheumatology’s rheumatology.org, the disease is complex and not the same in every patient.  Therefore treatment approaches will vary based on the activity of the disease, damage present, potential for damage, other complicating medical conditions and allergies and patient preferences.  

We strive to get each patient as close to remission as possible to prevent joint and other organ damage form persistent inflammation,, while limiting the potential for side effects of treatments. Of course, there is room for integrative medicine: diet, exercise, relaxation techniques, but these are supplements tp pharmacologic treatments which have been proven to reduce damage and prolong life intros with RA.

--Lynn M. Ludmer, M.D. 

Dr. Ludmer is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. She works with patients to care for chronic conditions that can cause symptoms of varying severity, such as pain, swelling and tenderness. Named a "Top Doc" in Rheumatology by Baltimore magazine, she has written numerous articles on rheumatic conditions and has participated in related lectures and presentations.