Common "Rheumatoid Arthritis" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that results in chronic inflammation and can affect the joints, skin, eyes, heart, and blood vessels. The symptoms include tender and warm joints, joint stiffness, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of osteoporosis, infections, heart and lung problems, and lymphoma.

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Can L-Glutamine be taken while having rheumatoid arthritis?

Query: Hi doctor,My wife has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for more than 10 years. For the last two years, she has been taking infusions of Rituximab or Rituxan 2 mg. The last infusion was six months ago. It is also confirmed that she has Leaky gut syndrome. Is it safe to take L-Glutamine (suppl...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Leaky gut syndrome (leakage of undigested food or other substance due to a damaged intestinal wall) is more of a hypothetical thing. A lot of research is still going on and it is believed to trigger the autoimmune reactions in the body. But, yes, it is safe to take th...  Read Full »

What is the proper medicaion for severe RA symptoms?

Query: Hello doctor,My mother is 65 years old. She is RA positive for the last 25 years. Currently, she takes HCQs, Methotrexate, pain killer, and Rantac. At present, she has pain, nodules in her hand, and turned feet. Please suggest proper medication. Her LFT and KFT are normal.  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query. But the report images could not reveal anything. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I would like to ask you a few more queries before suggesting the medicine as any new DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) started ha...  Read Full »

Kindly advise about increasing the Methotrexate dosage.

Query: Hello doctor, My 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis nine years ago and has been on Methotrexate since then. She has difficulty moving limbs, and her left knee joint aches a lot. Currently, the dosage of Methotrexate is 7.5 mg per week, Folic acid 5 mg daily, Calcium 500 mg da...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query. As such, the medicines need modification for her if the joint pain is increasing. The reports show a very high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) of 71 mm/hour, which may indicate inflammation inside. As for the medicines: 1. Methotrex...  Read Full »

How to help my wife who is having high ESR, RA factor, and swollen fingers?

Query: Hello doctor, I want a good rheumatologist for my wife who has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She has got RA factor 150 and no other problems in blood reports. Anti-CCP is negative. She has swollen fingers both in her hands and legs. She is currently on Shellcal 500 and D joint capsules.  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). There is a high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), RA factor. I would like to take a few more details on the history part. But it would be better if someone can examine the joints as it...  Read Full »

Is there any medication to control the pain due to remission of RA after chemotherapy?

Query: Hello doctor, RA patient for 13 years and on treatment with Methotrexate, Leflunomide. Then suffered from aplastic anemia and ATG treatment done with partial recovery. Presently on Cyclosporine on the advice of hematologist and HCQS on advice of Rheumatologist. Reti iman chemotherapy was done since ...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It seems her arthritis is flaring up again. Eventually, Cyclosporine and HCQs are both very mild when it comes to arthritis management. She may have had a prolonged suppression due to ...  Read Full »

What is the frequency of consultation in the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

Query: Hello doctor,I have rheumatoid arthritis. There is a long waiting list to see a rheumatologist in my place. I am thinking of seeing a private doctor but I have limited funds. How often would I need to see a rheumatologist? I cannot afford it every week or maybe every few months. How often do you thi...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your history. The only part I did not get was, that how come there have been no DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) for 10 years. It is a bit unusual. If you could throw some light on the history of arthritis, it would be helpful. If i...  Read Full »

Why is there sudden worsening of rheumatoid arthritis even on medication?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 26-year-old and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 23. Since then I have been on 15 mg of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine. Since I have been on medication, I hardly have no symptoms, but recently arthritis seems to be flaring up for three weeks now. I have pai...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.Well, it is a possibility that the Methotrexate dose is not sufficient enough to stop the disease. 15 mg is the dose we use for starting and we normally go higher up. In my experience, 15 mg normally proves inefficient in the long run. But since your disease is flaring, ...  Read Full »

Will long time steroid use for RA prevent me from having children?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 28-year-old male. I have been diagnosed with RA. And another rheumatologist told me I do not have enough symptoms for RA. However, I have been using Methylprednisolone 4 mg for almost four years every day. And this helps me completely get rid of any problems. If I do not take it ...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Well, it is a tough spot you are in. It will be difficult for a new rheumatologist to diagnose if you are already on steroids and the symptoms get masked. But I will try to simplify it for you here. Could you let me know the results of rheumatoid factor, anti-C...  Read Full »

What can be the reason for swelling and pain in my right wrist?

Query: Hi doctor,I am a 27-year-old female, and I was diagnosed with RA late last year. It has been persistent in my wrists this year. I was told to take Zycel 200 mg, but I feel something else could be wrong, as the pain and swelling are only in the wrists, more in the right hand. In my country, we do not...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, then it is possible the swelling in the wrists is due to it. And moreover, we need to step up the treatment as only Zycel (Celecoxib) 200 mg is not enough to control it. It would be better if one could add Meth...  Read Full »

Do positive ANA and atrial flutter confirm rheumatoid arthritis?

Query: Hi doctor,I am 41 years old and I never had any health issues. Currently, I have an atrial flutter and I am trying to find the cause. My CRP and sedimentation rate in Westergren remains high. I also have positive ANA. Does this confirm that I have rheumatoid arthritis? Could this inflammation be the...  Read Full »


Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for writing. I have gone through your reports and history (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) remains positive. I would like to ask you a few more questions to be sure of how much ANA is impacting your body. Pleas...  Read Full »

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