You said that she spent three months in the hospital from infections. Can you be more specific? What exactly did she have?

Also, the normal direction from most rheumatologists is to direct patients NOT take DMARDS during an active infection.

[Gosh, wish to heck we had an edit function that allows us to edit a post!]

She went into the hospital for a very bad UTI & flu. She's always had bad foot infections but she didn't have one that day. A day or two later... she was still in the hospital and now she had A LOT of foot infections (off and on thru the 3 months) and even developed a hole in her ankle. She was on methotrexate at the time with no problems, she also tried plaqunil but could only order it from canada because it was so expensive otherwise. Now she stopped taking them until she sees a immunology doctor because she's normally very open to infections and now the medicine even made her more open and we cannot afford any hospital stays anymore. She did not take the pills during the infections however... I did read you should not take them and she didnt.

I have something called common variable immunodeficiency, which is actually the cause of my RA. CVID happens when you don't create enough immunoglobulin to protect yourself from infections. It often presents as frequent infections, especially bronchitis, sinus, pneumonia, eyes, etc. Of course, everyone is different and there are other immunodeficiencies.

As for the type of doctor, you are better off looking for a clinical immunologist. Allergists don't have as much experience with immunodeficiencies. They will be checking her IGG, IGA, and IGM along with other levels. It is a process, but a correct diagnosis is always helpful! Good luck!

Where do I find a clinical immunologist? Just in a hospital, or do they have an actual office?

Have you tried googling "clinical immunologist" + your city?

Try this site: http://www.info4pi.org/information-booth

Thanks!