Patient's question:
I am 53 years old. Recently, as I have gotten older, I have been experiencing leg pain. I have previously visited the immunology department, but the effect was not significant. I have taken both Chinese and Western medicine, especially when the weather changes, I feel uncomfortable. How should I treat rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome together?Doctor's answer:
Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be completely cured; it is an autoimmune disease. The main treatment measures include pain relief, immunosuppressants, calcium supplementation, and biologic agent therapy. Most patients achieve good results with 2-3 types of immunosuppressants. However, a small number of patients do not respond well to medication, in which case biologic agent therapy can be considered. Additionally, severe rheumatoid arthritis or cases involving visceral involvement may also benefit from biologic agent therapy. The key to treatment is to use medications in a standardized and regular manner, pay attention to calcium supplementation, prevent osteoporosis, regularly review relevant indicators, and adjust medication dosages when necessary. It is recommended to seek proper diagnosis and treatment from the rheumatology department of a local hospital.