Arthritis

What is the benefit of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis if the person doesn't want to take pain medicine? Autoimmune disorders run in my family. My grandmother has advanced rheumatoid arthritis and several other autoimmune disorders.  My aunt has sjogren's.  My mother has bumps on all her finger joints and are beginning to look like my grandmothers, but she won't be tested because she doesn't want to take medicine.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A diagnosis is sometimes pursued to ensure that it is in fact rheumatoid arthritis that is causing the symptoms.  There are many diseases that can cause similar symptoms to rheumatoid arthritis (i.e. lupus and other rheumatological disease).  

However, if the patient is not willing to seek treatment afterwards, then further testing to seek a diagnosis may not be beneficial.  This decision is made solely by the patient, and the consequences of not seeking treatment needs to be understood before stopping further testing.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[glorya90]

What are the consequences of not seeking treatment?