I didn't mean to imply the Arava had anything to do with my husband's passing. He had a number of health issues, RA was only one of them.
The Arava did help him to deal with the RA.

I was on this med for a short while but it did not help me at all. So I moved on to Humira which worked for about six months after which it did nothing and I was in severe pain all joints started hurting.
I was unable to walk. For the past three months I have been on weekly ENBREL injection and Celebrex which I take twice daily. This combination has decreased the joint swelling tremendously. I Now have more mobility and less joint pain.

My pharmacist wife says while both Methotrexate and Plaquenil are both DMARDS their mode of action is very different, so they are sometimes a common rheumatologist combo for folks who may perhaps need more relief than either one alone gives, and/or perhaps that their lab values may be higher than their rheumatologist may prefer to be on only one DMARD at a time. Of course, always follow the advice of your own doctor. As their are many RA meds and combos of meds doctors can choose from for any particular patient. Only your doctor can diagnose your unique situation and prescribe the best treatment plan. Asking questions of your rheumatologist is certainly fair and allowed to know the why of whatever treatment plan one is put on. Best wishes.

Ya, taking drugs with potential bad side effects can be scary....but once they work....having a life after going off them can be even more terrifying