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Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Rowlett, TX

Joint pain that won’t quit. Morning stiffness that lasts for hours. Swelling in your hands, wrists, or knees that doesn’t match any injury you remember. If that sounds familiar, you could be dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, and waiting it out only gives the disease more time to cause damage.

Dr. Frances Lomibao is a board-certified, fellowship-trained rheumatologist in Rowlett, TX providing individualized rheumatoid arthritis treatment for patients across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. From your first appointment to long-term disease management, Dr. Lomibao takes the time to listen, explain your options, and build a treatment plan around your life.

Call 469-825-4010 Request Appointment

Why Patients Across DFW Trust Dr. Lomibao With Their RA Care

Rheumatoid arthritis is unpredictable. Some days you feel fine. Other days, buttoning a shirt feels impossible. You need a doctor who actually listens to those differences, not one who rushes through a 10-minute appointment and hands you a prescription.

Dr. Lomibao has been named one of D Magazine's "Best Doctors" four years running (2022–2025) and holds Compassionate Doctor, On-Time Doctor, and Patients' Choice awards. Patients consistently describe her as thorough, caring, and willing to spend real time explaining what's happening in your body and why.

She doesn't force medications. She presents your options, walks you through the pros and cons, and helps you choose the approach that fits your goals, whether that's aggressive treatment to hit remission fast or a more measured plan that accounts for your preferences.

What Rheumatoid Arthritis Does to Your Body

RA is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system, which normally fights infections, turns on your own joints instead. It attacks the synovium, the thin lining around your joints, causing inflammation that leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Left untreated, that inflammation doesn't just hurt. It erodes cartilage and bone. Over months and years, joints can become permanently deformed. RA can also affect organs beyond the joints, including the lungs, heart, and eyes.

The good news: early, aggressive treatment can slow or stop that damage. Many patients achieve remission or low disease activity with the right plan.

How Dr. Lomibao Diagnoses Rheumatoid Arthritis

A Thorough First Visit

Dr. Lomibao's initial consultations are detailed. She reviews your full medical history, asks about your symptoms, their timing, and how they affect your daily life. Patients often say she takes notes like crazy and never makes them feel rushed.

Targeted Lab Work and Imaging

Blood tests check for markers like rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, and inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP). X-rays or ultrasound may be used to evaluate joint damage. These results paint a clear picture of what's driving your symptoms.

Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Once diagnosed, Dr. Lomibao sits down with you to discuss every treatment option available. She explains what each medication does, how long it takes to work, and what side effects to watch for. You choose the path forward together.

Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments

RA management isn't one-and-done. Dr. Lomibao schedules regular follow-ups to track your disease activity, adjust medications as needed, and catch any complications early. Routine bloodwork monitors both the disease and medication safety.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options at Lomibao Rheumatology

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

DMARDs like methotrexate are typically the first line of treatment. They work by calming the overactive immune response that drives joint inflammation. Most patients start here, and many respond well.

Biologic Therapies

When DMARDs alone aren't enough, biologics target specific parts of the immune system. These are given as injections or IV infusions. Dr. Lomibao's on-site infusion lounge provides a comfortable, private setting for patients who need infusion therapy.

JAK Inhibitors

A newer class of oral medications that block specific enzymes involved in the inflammatory process. They're an option for patients who haven't responded to other treatments or prefer pills over injections.

Corticosteroids

Used short-term to quickly reduce severe inflammation while longer-acting medications take effect. Dr. Lomibao uses these strategically, not as a permanent solution.

Joint Injections

For individual joints causing significant pain, corticosteroid injections can provide targeted relief. These are performed in-office during your appointment.

Holistic and Lifestyle Support

Dr. Lomibao believes in treating the whole person. She discusses nutrition, exercise, stress management, and supplementation alongside conventional treatment, building a plan that works with your lifestyle.

Signs You Should See a Rheumatologist for RA

Morning Stiffness Lasting More Than 30 Minutes

Everyone feels a little stiff when they wake up. But if it takes you an hour or more to loosen up, that's a red flag for inflammatory arthritis.

Swelling in Multiple Joints, Especially Both Hands

RA tends to be symmetrical. If both wrists, both sets of knuckles, or both knees are swollen, that pattern points toward RA rather than an injury.

Fatigue That Sleep Doesn't Fix

The kind of exhaustion that comes with RA isn't normal tiredness. It's a deep, body-wide fatigue driven by chronic inflammation.

Joint Pain That Gets Worse With Rest

Unlike pain from overuse or injury, RA pain often worsens when you're still and improves with gentle movement. If sitting makes you stiffer, pay attention.

Family History of Autoimmune Disease

If a parent, sibling, or close relative has RA, lupus, or another autoimmune condition, your risk is higher. Early screening can catch it before significant damage occurs.

Your Primary Care Doctor Suspects RA

If your doctor has mentioned the possibility or if your bloodwork shows elevated inflammatory markers, a rheumatologist is your next step.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Can rheumatoid arthritis be cured?

There’s no cure for RA, but remission is a realistic goal. With early treatment and consistent monitoring, many patients live full, active lives with minimal symptoms.

How quickly does RA treatment start working?

DMARDs typically take 4-12 weeks to reach full effect. Biologics can work faster for some patients. Dr. Lomibao may use short-term corticosteroids to bridge the gap while your primary medication kicks in.

Will I need infusion therapy?

Not everyone does. It depends on your disease severity and how you respond to other treatments. If you do, Lomibao Rheumatology has a private on-site infusion lounge designed for comfort and safety.

Is rheumatoid arthritis the same as regular arthritis?

No. RA is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your joints. Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear degeneration. The causes, progression, and treatments are very different.

Does Dr. Lomibao work with my other doctors?

Absolutely. Dr. Lomibao coordinates with your primary care physician, orthopedist, and any other specialists to make sure everyone is on the same page.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring a list of your current medications, any previous lab results or imaging, your insurance information, and a list of symptoms and questions. The more information you bring, the more productive that first visit will be. If joint pain, swelling, or stiffness is disrupting your life, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call Lomibao Rheumatology and Wellness Care at 469-825-4010 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Lomibao in Rowlett, TX.

Lomibao Rheumatology

Address: 6842 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 100 Rowlett, TX 75088

Phone: (469) 825-4010

Email: scheduling@lomibaorheumatology.com