Do you live with rheumatoid arthritis? I know people who do, and without the medication they'd live in crippling pain that would have them wheelchair-bound in a matter of a few years. These meds allow them to live relatively productive lives (not pain-free, but productive).
Where I come from, choosing crippling pain and joint problems when a remedy is readily-available isn't virtuous, but rather incredibly stupid.
I have arthritic spurs in my hip. I know what pain is.
I've always wondered about people who would rather suffer and complain, then do something about it, balancing risk vs. benefit.
They must be getting something out of the pain, a psych. or emotional rebate) that a rational person wouldn't be interested in.
Do I want to live to be 90 but in pain? I think not.