Arthritis Treatment in India

Aadya Ali, a 42-year-old high school...

Aadya Ali, a 42-year-old high school art teacher and mother of two young children, had always been active, but over the past two years, she began experiencing persistent pain and stiffness in her hands, wrists, and knees. The stiffness was worst in the mornings, lasting over an hour, making it difficult to prepare breakfast for her kids or demonstrate brush techniques to her students. Simple tasks like opening jars became daunting. Her primary care doctor, suspecting an autoimmune form of arthritis, referred her to a rheumatologist, Dr. Sharma. After a thorough examination and blood tests confirming Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Dr. Sharma recommended starting a treatment plan centered on a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) called methotrexate, combined with a short course of corticosteroids to quickly reduce inflammation. Aadya was apprehensive about starting long-term medication but felt relieved to have a diagnosis. The initial weeks on treatment were challenging, with some fatigue and nausea, but she worked closely with Dr. Sharma to manage side effects. Within three months, the morning stiffness reduced dramatically to just 15 minutes, and the pain in her joints became manageable. She could paint comfortably again and play with her children without constant discomfort. Emotionally, she journeyed from frustration and fear about her declining ability to care for her family to immense relief and optimism. While she knows RA is a chronic condition, having an effective treatment plan has given her a sense of control and hope for an active future.