Hi, all. I want to update you guys on the new medication since I stopped the MTX 4 weeks ago. First off, it's all the way out of my system and I DO notice although it made me so ill. The new rheumy actually agreed with all of my bad symptoms. He said (for some) it does cause weight loss, weakness, and B12 depletion. He also said that I do have agressive RA and they don't need to wait 6 months to see if a med is working. Thank god..a rheumy that finally listened to me.
Anywho, he added Arava with the Humira and he wants me to take prednisone (15mg) until I return in 3 weeks. My old rheumy NEVER offered prednisone. I took it yesterday and for the first time I didn't feel any pain. It kind of ticked me off because I wondered why my old rheumy never offered it to me. I've suffered all summer long with that damn MTX and ankle flares. I just hope this new mixture of drugs works for me. I've been getting around pretty good for the last 3 weeks with the exception of my ankles swelling and hurting. At least the prednisone gave me some relief.
We've been having really foggy and high barometer pressure in California this week and my bones feel it. I felt kind of bad before taking the pred yesterday. This RA sure reminds you that it's here when it wants to. I'm starting the Arava today and I pray it starts to get everything under control. Is anyone on Arava and a biologic only? And does it seem to work?

Work-I couldn't find my old work post to comment but I wanted to thank all of you for your comments. It's nice to know that I will be able to handle work again one day. I didn't get the last job I interviewed for but at least I was able to make it to the interview. I'm still sending out resumes and job hunting. The new rheumy agreed with me returning to work but only after I get the RA under control. He said my elbows and ankles were inflammed (duhh!).