What is your current RA Treatment Plan?

I'm 58, I had a heart attack at 50 that left me with 23% functionality of m heart. It woujld be nice to find one doctor who was a cardiologist and rheumatologist so he/she could decide what meds I can safely take . "ain't gonna happen" so I make my own decision. Until the arthritis , even with the heart I lived a normal life,m worked and got enough exercise to keep weight off. You all know arthritis in the feet, hands and knees pretty much stopped my normal day. I gained 50 pounds and can't find the energy to walk enough to get fit. I have learned to survive with 1 prednisone a day and 2 low dose hydrocodone in the morning and evening. I have 4 out of 7 good days where I can walk and fend for myself but I rarely go out.

I have looked and researched the RA treatments with people and heart problems and it doesn't look good and introducing Methotrexate on top of all of the other heart meds I take I think my liver will rebel. On days when I need to get out for a long period, I take 1 prednisone in the AM and another in the PM and hydrocodone every 8 hours instead of every 12. oh, both doctors don't want me to take prednisone.I been doing it for 2 years BUT 1 tablet a day and no further RA developments has convinced both to allow it.

Here is the problem. I feel I am just surviving. My lack of energy and what it takes just to get ready to go out makes me exhausted before I go. I'll takes hints , tips and suggestions to overcoming the fatigue and anticipation of exhaustion. I would like to get out more and enjoy life more.

I have tried many different treatments. I have had RA since I was 5 and now am 37. My current treatment is plaquinil 400mg a day, enbrel weekly and mtx injection 0.6ml weekly, and folic acid. I try to remember to take a spoonful of fish oil and calcium and a multivitamin daily too. If I take all the meds all the time (I tend to forget to take the pills at least twice a week) then I feel ok. My neck is about all naturally fused and my right wrist is locking up pretty bad. May need a med change soon. Pain isnt too bad now but the fatigue is bad this weekend. Overall I am doing pretty good though.

Have had RA for over 24 years (started at age 27). Have been on all first line meds and went to second line about 5 years after onset. Could not tolerate most as they contain aspirin or similar product. Went to third line NSAIDS 7 years from onset. None made appreciable difference. Have been on biologics for past 7 years. First ones did not contain any positive effect but once put on REMICADE I went into a slow and steady remission.
Concurrently taking: leflunomide (Arava), Celebrex, Domperidone (for digestion), Prevacid (for stomach), Estrogen (post menopause), Fosavance (for osteoporosis), Folic acid, megavitamin, Omega 3-6-9 and generic Benadryl (for itchy and as sleep aid). Yup, I'm a barrel of laughs. It's time to review the regime as this doesn't seem to be quite as effective anymore. I live in Canada and therefore very lucky my meds are mostly paid for.
Myself and 3 ladies started up a self-management program for RA about 12 years ago after taking the then experimental Stanford Medical Arthritis Self-management Program. It was the largest in our area and run by volunteers at local community police stations for $1 per meeting (once monthly). I went on to become a program leader/facilitator and then teach-the-teacher instructor. I gave various presentations to doctors/caregivers/pharmacists/etc on RA and it's impact upon "real" people. I have since given this up as the Stanford model was very constrained.
You write with some authority. Are you a healthcare professional?

My current treatment plan is taking my embrel injections along with all the many medications. I just take one day a time and do things slow.

My current treatment plan includes medications, exercise, and really listening to my body. Listening to my body is the most diffiulcult part. I keep doing things as if I did not have RA, in turn I have more suffering. Listening and learning when enough is enough is my main focus at this time. When I pay attention, things go much better, and I am learning that I am not missing anything by taking things slow. I actually get more from myself overall. Anyone have any tips on this topic?