It's been awhile but I need help!!

I haven't been here in maybe two months, since my mom was dx with breast cancer. Anyways I really need help in knowing what to expect. I was dx just 3 weeks ago, finally, with Ra and OA. I say finally because like a lot of you it has taken nearly 2 years and several Dr.'s and specialist. Back in August I had a friend recommend her husband Rhuemy as mine I had for a year hadn't ran any test except for crp ,which was elevated, gave me tramadol and that was it. I explained all the stiffness in my hands, elbows, knees, and ankles. All the pain in my fingers, wrist, shoulders, toes, etc. How I couldn't open jars, could feel the swelling in my hands, knees, etc, if i sat at the computer, lied down, drove the car even for a few minutes.My old Rhuemy said anyways see you in three months, that was it. This new Rhuemy ordered x-rays of my hands which showed nothing but blood work came back positive for Rhuematoid factor. He then ordered bones scans which showed extreme inflammation in all my joints, along with progression. I have a Dr.'s appointment with him on Nov. 1 to discuss our treatment

 for RA. What should I expect? What are safe Meds to take to slow down the progression? He put me on predisone in the meen time which helped a little but still I have had extreme pain. It is interfering with my job and life so much. I have children and want to be able to do some of the things I had once done..what should I do? I have read a lot of scary stuff about the infusions and not as promissing stuff about methotrexate and others. I just need some informed info, from people who are actually going through it. I also am on vicodin for the oa from my primary Dr. I only am allowed 2 a day and I don't want to ask my Rhuemy for more or something else but 2 a day doesn't cover the pain and barely brings it down to a level under 8. Should I tell him about the Vicodin(she just prescribed it 3 weeks ago), and ask for something else or just muttle through? Thanks, Heather

Hi Heather, I just posted a reply to you on CP. I reckon he will probably put you on methotrexate, it seems to be the standard med for RA now. Its a DMARD or disease modifying agent, so it really helps with the inflammation and of course with the painplus stops the disease progression and permanent damage from happening. It takes a couple of months to work so in the mean time I'd ask for something more for pain.
I am on a pain patch which really takes out background pain and then take codeine or panadeine forte for BT pain. I have 3 kids so need to be able to drive and fuction fully, some of my previous pain relief was putting me to sleep!
If the mtx isn't enough he will no doubt try a biological med. These are the so called wonder meds for RA. They attack our immune system which as you know has gone into overdrive producing too many B cells, T cells and tumour necrosis factor, the biologicals wipe out some of this over production and hopefully stop the disease in its tracks.
They are fairly heavy duty toxic meds and a bit scary to take initially, they can open you up to infections and you have to have regular blood tests and anti biotics at the first sign of infection. I learnt the hard way and ended up in hospital with pneumonia, trying to fight off a flu virus on my own!
Any way I reckon he will start you off along this path and see how your body responds. They tend to go in hard with the meds now, they feel the damage if left untreated is irreversible. So all their actions are to stop damage from happening.
It is a very car prcess, we have all been on that road, so don't feel alone, good to have you back with us, golitho