Suggest Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Posted on Sun, 29 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 29 Jun 2014 Answered on

Sat, 26 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Sister 78 with severe RA. Now with osteoporpsis. Takes vitamin D and calcium. Tried bisphosphonates but broke femur--2 months in hospital. Bedbound. Can walk with crutches, but cracked foot bone. Any new meds, alternative drugs, overseas drugs not available here?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Shruti Rijhwani (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follows.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,

Thank you for posting your query on HCM.

Considering her age and that she suffers from Rheumatoid arthritis there is a high probability of osteoporosis in her . Bisphosphonates are first line treatment for this . She can also try raloxifene if her treating doctor feels so . But Inj. zoledronic acid once a year has the best effects as seen by my personal experience . Rest she is already on calcium and vitamin D .

She is going to take time to recover from these fractures . Just keep her XXXXXXX and avoid injuries and falls . Rest I think she has been treated adequately.

Take care.

Dr. Shruti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar