The best book I have located is UNDERSTANDING
ARTHRITIS - What it is - How to treat it - How to cope
with it.   From the Arthritis Foundation $10.95

The Arthritis Foundation also has hundreds of free
publications.  You can order them on-line or get them
at the nearest chapter of the AF.

Absolutely.  Even the effect of a particular drug varies
from person to person - from worthless to a miracle.

I don't think the word "improve" is correct, but there
are many cases of "remission" in which the effects
seem to disappear.  This is the stage where so many
commit "suicide" by stopping their med.  Then the
disease returns with a vengence and drugs are
useless.  You are wise when you stated you have
to remain on your meds.

I can't answer your last question.  Are there any support
groups in your area (which didn't mention)?  Either at a
clinic/hospital or through the AF?

The only dumb question is the unasked question.
Yours were well though out and well worded.

WELCOME to A.S.A.  We're all sorry you had to drop
in, but hope you will hang around, even if you are one
of the lucky ones who goes into remission.

... National Procrastinators week has been postponed.

http://home.gci.net/~cushman4/oa-gcs.htm
http://www.arthritis.co.za/

http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home2/home.jsp

http://www.hhs.gov/

http://www.pennhealth.com/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

http://www.rheumatology.org/

http://www.npadnews.com/

http://www.gimpgirl.com/

http://www.asresearch.co.uk/index.htm

Information sites,,,,,, some may not work,,,, old list.

The best place to learn is in this newsgroup.    Tell us about yourself and
what you take and what your doctor says.  Most of us are here to help you.
Harv

You have been offered some good resources.  The prognosis for RA is
much better with the new Biologic drugs.   I have been on Remicade for
about 5 years and tor the last 3 years I have been in remission, and I
was considered a severe case.   So yes it can improve and stay the
same with proper treatment.  Severity of disease is a good indicator
of how successful treatment will be, but you don't really know until
you try the medication everyone is different.  I did not respond to
Enbrel very well but my Dr continues to marvel at my response to
Remicade but results are  individual. You don't know until you try.
Generally nodules indicate a more serious form of the disease.  There
are several new drugs on the horizon so I think most Rheumatologists
are more optimistic these days

Visit my website:
http://www.mzuschlag.com

I appreciate your responses, thank you. I have printed them out and
will get started on them as soon as I finish posting here. I found the
phone number of a local RA support group online already.
Thanks much!!!
T