I started out on methotrexate and that was horrible so I was put on Leflunomide for 18weeks. I did go through a bout of nausea but was able to keep that under control by drinking ginger tea. I also got a slight rash. I also was on Simponi. I chose to go off of both drugs after I developed neuropathy. If you dig deep enough you can find that Leflunomide (Arava) can cause neuropathy. I believe methotrexate does too. Maybe my decisions would have been different if either drug made me better but instead I continued to get worse. Every drug works differently for each individual. I found it actually better than the methotrexate but in the end I now have permanent damage. My suggestion is do your research and be your own advocate. I am now seeking care with an integrative Dr and pursuing low does antibiotic treatment if he agrees. After all the RA drugs over the course of a year I found one foot Dr that started me on doxycycline that felt I had an infection that caused septic arthritis which was never treated. Within two weeks I was able to walk again which is huge for me. Check out The Roadback.org for additional arthritis info. It’s really eye opening. Good luck, I wish you well.

Lalita, Orencia stopped my pain within 4 days and I have never returned to that agonizing state. I get occasional flares, but nothing really bad. Orencia is not a TNF blocker like Remicade so it doesn't affect the liver. I love it and will never switch.

I need to ask about Orencia , the other meds that I'm on is not quite helping , maybe on the surface. Does Orencia help the pain ?

NancyHoey, I feel you. I had to be off all meds for 9 months due to an antibiotic, Vancomycin, shutting my kidneys down. During that short period of time my fingers & wrists became deformed & damaged. I wish the docs could come up with a good wrist replacement surgery. I'd do it in a heartbeat.