Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain but today, a diagnosis of arthritis is much different than it was in the past.

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"He started me really on pills because at that time they didn't have the medicine that they have today," said Carole Ricci.

When Ricci's arthritis started 20 years ago, the medication available didn't treat the disease, only her symptoms.

"It spread. You get it on one side and it goes to the other and then I felt it in my knees and I felt it in my feet," Ricci said.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints, leaving them somewhat disfigured and painful. The most common symptom is joint stiffness, especially in the morning.

"Joint pain can be described as sore, achy, throbbing, dull. Patients can also fatigue, feel run down like they have the flu," said Dr. Neal Greenstein.

Through research, doctors now know what causes the inflammation in the joints. Newer drugs, injectibles, work on not only the pain, but the disease.

"Researchers have been able to work backwards and come up with drugs that block that inflammation and these drugs called biologic response modifiers are drugs that specifically block specific proteins, cytokines is the more technical names are elevated in patients who have rheumatologist arthritis," said Greenstein.

By blocking certain proteins, the disease can be controlled, put into remission even cured. There are many drugs available; some patients choose to inject themselves at home, while others come into the office to get fused through an IV. Most people are infused once a month. It takes about thirty minutes but like any medication, you have to be aware there could be side effects.

Because patients with RA have comprised immune systems, the risk of infection is a concern. Other worries include reactions from the injection or infusion, possible headaches, nausea, fever or rash.

"There is also the concern do these drugs have such an impact on the immune system. Do they, perhaps, increase the risk of cancer in patients that received these drugs and that is a question that is still not answered and not sure it can be accurately answered," Greenstein said.

"It's my stamina and it helps you manage the disease," Ricci said.