I am also one who got off the meds a couple years ago. Have moderate-severe RA that has locked up ever joint at once during a super flare. My magic bullet happened to be the paleo diet which uncovered the fact that developed food allergies/sensitivities were the cause of my systemic inflammation. Those were later confirmed via allergy testing. I now only ache when I've been off diet - like during the holidays right now. So I take celebrex when I've been bad and it really helps to bring the pain down in hands, feet and shoulder (the five areas and 20 joints now inflamed because I ate no-no foods last night)

My mother has advanced RA - super aggressive type that deformed her hands and feet within four years of onset - she's been off all meds but Minocin for around twenty years now. Dr Brown got her in remission within six months using the A.P.... I tried it for ten years - and generally kept my RA down to a tolerable 3-4 joints a day. But I wasn't as successful with it as Mom was.

My point is that there are long term success stories of severe RA being controlled without using aggressive therapies. Different patients respond to some therapies and not others. If you want to see if diet is a factor in your inflammation - start by googling 'elimination diet' and following a doctor recommended regimen to uncover potential developed food allergies/sensitivities. But I'll warn you that it's a hard long road that can take up to six months - and it takes a ton of willpower because you WILL crave the very foods that your immune system reacts to. I still struggle daily with the cravings - and pay for it with RA flares when I give in.

Whatever path you choose to walk - good luck to you!