How long do I wait?

This is my first post, but I've been reading posts and news on this site for a couple of months. I'm very glad I found this site, I don't feel so alone. I need to ask for some advise. I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm on METHOTREXATE, HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, PREDNISONE , FOLIC ACID, SALSALATE, and Zantac. All that just for my RA. I'm still having flares when I go below 4mg of prednisone per day. We recently tried to add SULFAZINE EC, but I had to discontinue it as I had constant headaches and an upset stomach. When I'm having pain I also end up taking 1/2-1 Vicodin. It seems like a lot of medications, and yet my rhumy has not suggested any of the biologics. Is this something I should be pushing with him? Has anyone else been kept this long on the older, tried/true drugs? I live in CO, and with the coming of fall and winter, I'm feeling the change in weather throughout my body. It's not a hard flare, but the dull pain and stiffness is there. Is this just something I have to learn to live with, or should I be more agressive in asking for help? I can call my dr. office and talk to the nurse anytime, and they have been responsive, but usually end up having me do a prednisone "burst", then I have to come down to the lower dose slowly. My daughter is getting mariied this spring in Costa Rica, and I want to be able to enjoy this happy time, so I need to get this under control if possible. Any suggestions on what my next step should be would be appreciated.