Well right now, I am taking dolobid and tylenol. Doesnt seem to be helping the pain. Everyone on here for the most part agree that prednisone is a good med.

You can take NSAIDS to relieve pain and welling (inflammation). Take them every day, however, not just when it hurts!

And...consider taking DRADS even though it is mild now. RA is a progressive disease. The old thinking was to treat conservatively and wit until it got worse to use stronger medications. I was DX more than 30 years ago and i can tell you that following a conservative protocol has left me PERMANENTLY disfigured and crippled. The exray is MY hand, one of two hands that are BOTH badly deformed. See: http://ra-ss.blogspot.com/

If course it is a balancing act - balancing the side effects of drugs. And it is a decsion you and your rheumatologist should make together. but it is something to consider. and thin about npw that biologicals and such are available which weren't when i started out. I wish they had been and I wish i could have taken them a lot sooner than i did!

Good luck!

Most people with "mild" RA are prescribed NSAIDs and Plaquenil or Sulfsalizine. Please be aware that "mild' RA may not stay "mild". I was dx wiht mild RA ten years ago. Now I have it everywhere, and because I was not treated properly, I am looking at having both knees replaced, wearing orthotics in my shoes and have pain every day. Still waiting to see if my current meds will get my RA under control. If not, may have to take a biologic along w/my MTX and other meds. Best Wishes! V

Thank you for your replies. These experiences are what I'm afraid of. I've tried minocycline, Plaquenil, sulfasalazine, and Arava. The first 3 did not help and Arava dropped my WBC too much so I had to stop. My rheumy then decided that I'm not at risk for joint damage and told me to take aleve, which does not help.

I'm not sure how he can tell I won't ever have damage. I've had 1 xray of my wrist and ankles within 2 months of the pain starting. He doesn't even look at my joints any more. I am sero-negative and he used my blood work results along with "other things" as his reasoning for stopping.

He told me to take 6-8 Tramadol a day for the pain so I can function and exercise. I'm tired of felling doped up all the time. I was really hoping for something to offer more relief from the stiffness and fatigue also.

Am I wrong for pushing for more meds?

I'd suggest you get a second opinion! It seems irresponsible for a doctor to tell you that you had RA and then tell you to stop taking the meds because you don't really need them. Not that any of us WANT to be on these meds--but we also don't want to have joint deformity at some point! If you're in enough pain that you need to take Tramadol every day to function, it seems you're RA is active enough you should be on meds for it. Good luck!

I'm wondering if having sero-neg means we won't ever get joint damage, but still get the pain and stiffness. So far I haven't seen enough data to show that these harsher meds work for sero-neg.
So maybe be grateful for this out come, and look into more of a pain mang Dr and better treat your fibromyalgia

I am seronegative and I have joint damage. I have a friend who is seronegative and is in a wheelchair. So, being seronegative does not mean you will not have joint damage. Myself and my friend are proof of that. RA has destroyed my knees becasue my RA went untreaded...becdause the doc said I had "mild" RA. I know have a rheumy who is trying to stop the joint damage. She says I may never test postitive, but my RA is not "mild". If I were you, I would seek a second opinion. BTW, I am not considered to have "mild" RA anymore...it is moderate to severe.

I agree with those who suggest you seek a second opinion. The current standard of care in treating RA is early AGGRESSIVE DMARDs before joint damage is even visible on xray. When you got it, it's irreversible! There is no way to predict if you will have joint damage down the road even if you are "mild" now, and "even" if you are seronegative. My rheumy told me that some of her "most crippled" RA patients are seronegative.
I am seronegative myself, and was off combo therapy (MTX and Enbrel) for 6 wks while waiting for a 2nd opinion - and I am still paying for it almost 6 months later!! The RA progressed to more joints QUICKLY and symptoms worsened and I now have some joint deviations in my fingers.
Please seek a 2nd opinion. What about MTX? If you are that "mild" you might be able to have a low dose. The fact that you are having to take pain meds like Tramadol like candy says that your RA is not under control.

@Sandi,

I am sero negative, taking mthx and Humira. I have had to stop the meds a couple of times to take antibiotics. While I can't say I am not still dealing with active disease, I can certainly tell the difference without them. I have joint damage occuring, I have two nodules, and I wasn't able to leave my house too often before the meds. I do think they are working to some extent, but perhaps the biologic isn't the right one.

Thanks for all the advise. I have called my doctors office saying I'm tired of feeling this way and want put on some kind of meds. No word from the doctor yet. I think I am going to look for a second opinion which makes me sad. My rheumy is very caring and has believed my complaints without any evidence (I had no swelling or stiffness when I first saw him). He is taking Embrel or Humira himself for an autoimmune disorder so I was grateful to have a rheumy who can understands what it's like.

I am so grateful for this forum, to be able to get advise from others who are going through the same thing. Thanks you all!