Remission?

[hobbes602b]

Is it typical for RA to go into remission for as long as 7 or 8 years?

We're trying to figure out if my wife has it, or if this is post-viral. This is her second bout with severe joint pain and stiffness (the first time was 8 years ago and never surfaced gain until now) She was 21 then, 29 now.

Most blood tests come back fine. No RA factor, but high HLA-B27 and c-reactive protein.
Finger joints are swollen, stiffness occurs in knees, wrists, fingers and shoulders.

[NewLeaf]

It is not typical but it is also not uncommon that RA goes into remission for long periods - sometimes years. It is also very typical for an RA factor test to come up negative during the early onset of RA.  RA has also been documented to go into permanent remission - never come back.  So, hoping for the never come back scenario would be a good thing to wish for.

I have had RA for over half my life, it surfaced when I was 22. I am now 54. Unfortunately, mine has never gone into remissionfor more than a month or two, even with the new drugs today, yet I have friends through my RA support group where they have been in remission for many years and then it pops back up. I have read that it does go into permanent remission for some and my RA doc has seen it happen a few times -

I hope your wife is feeling better soon and she does have a good chance of it not returning based on her other inccident 8 years ago.

[hobbes602b]

If anyone knows if this is common, any information would be helpful. DOES RA stay silent for so long? Or can we bank on something like Reiters?