ive had rheumatoid arthritis for the last 3 years and at first my local doctor told me it was just growing pains but then i was refered to a hospital (as an outpatient)and after blood tests, MRI’s, Ultra sounds they found that i had arthritis. At first i was on Naproxon and then i was referred to another hospital (as an outpatient) and was seen by ‘the best doctor of rheumatoid arthritis in Europe’ and was prescribed with Metotrexate a very strong Anti Inflamatery and am required to go for blood tests every 1 1/2 months to monitor it. i also had one of my knees drained of fluid with a needle and then they injected a very strong anti inflametry in it. Athritis is basically when the imune system fights against the joints and this medication weakens the imune system.
Hopefully you are better, Intellegent, and i am too late to help you but i thought i would share it anyway for any others who might be suffering from this condition.