I have had RA since 1997. It hit me extremely hard right out of the blue. I was active in sports, played industrial league softball, golfed 2 leagues, played church league basketball and then boom I couldn't walk. I spent 2 years in and out of Cleveland Clinic taking cortizone shots to be able to walk. Taking every medicine available at the time. I moved to Lexington, Ky. in 2001 and went to the VA Hospital. The rhematologist put me on arava and I had been taking predisone and celebrex for years. Within 3 months I was in a band playing guitar and singing. Fishing and golfing and now it is in remission and I am feeling great. I have not had any side effects so far. They keep a close watch on my kidneys and liver. So there is hope. I never want to go back to the 24-7 pain. The Dr. calls me a miracle man because the damage has also reversed.