Q: I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. What is the best way to tell my family I have a chronic disease? What are some newer treatments for RA?
A: Informing a family member or significant other that you have any chronic disorder can be daunting. Fortunately, these people are often the most supportive and can help you tremendously in your time of need. “The first thing I recommend is getting knowledgeable about the condition,” advises Daniel G. Arkfeld, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. “If it is rheumatoid arthritis, then one can be optimistic that the newer biological agents can control the symptoms in the majority of the cases.” Your rheumatologist can help you select one of these options based on risks versus benefits of each of these agents, which can be especially helpful if your symptoms are advancing or disabling. According to Arkfeld, approximately 70 percent of patients will respond to biological agents.
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