Rheumatoid Arthritis
Anybody out there know a lot about rheumatoid arthritis in senior citizens? Specifically, the outlook/prognosis in terms of long-term care vs. living independently?
My mother has just been diagnosed with RA, and the medication that they have started her on does not appear to be making any improvement in how she feels. My mom NEVER complains ( last time she did, she was hospitalized for weeks with a liver abscess and it was touch and go as to whether or not she'd survive), and she has cried a LOT over the pain.
We're feeling really torn on this. It's hard being 1400 miles away. She has been there for me, without hesitation, every time I've needed her. I feel like it's time to return the favor. If she's going to be in a situation where she's going to decline into infirmity, then maybe we should relocate, right away, so I can be there for her when she needs me. But I hate to move to an area where our company can't survive, and I just don't see us being able to break into that city's insular good-old-boy network - we've been out of town too long, and would be considered yankees.
So, any knowledge about RA in seniors?
My mother has just been diagnosed with RA, and the medication that they have started her on does not appear to be making any improvement in how she feels. My mom NEVER complains ( last time she did, she was hospitalized for weeks with a liver abscess and it was touch and go as to whether or not she'd survive), and she has cried a LOT over the pain.
We're feeling really torn on this. It's hard being 1400 miles away. She has been there for me, without hesitation, every time I've needed her. I feel like it's time to return the favor. If she's going to be in a situation where she's going to decline into infirmity, then maybe we should relocate, right away, so I can be there for her when she needs me. But I hate to move to an area where our company can't survive, and I just don't see us being able to break into that city's insular good-old-boy network - we've been out of town too long, and would be considered yankees.
So, any knowledge about RA in seniors?