Hi Miss Lisa, Welcome to the community.  It is completely understandable that you have loads of questions right now.  You did not mention when you started having symptoms and how long you have gone without proper diagnoses.  There are many cases of sero-negative RA (meaning you meet several RA criteria but have no common bloodmarkers).  Diagnoses for RA can take a while and it is very frustrating.  How long have you been on mtx?  Many of us suffer through nausea and other yuckiness, but if you are actually vomiting, ask your rheumatologist to switch meds or lower the dose.  There are other DMARDs on the market.  But mtx is usually first line. Are you or have you been on any other meds.  Like an anti-inflammatory or maybe prednisone?  It usually takes a mix of meds to get things under control.  Then you can work from there.  Have you had xrays or any MRI's? I understand completely about how friends and family do not "get it."  Because I was an athlete and complete active free flying person, it has been very confusing for my family to see me move in and out of a wheelchair or on my crutches.  Because my meds do their job very well at controlling my swelling right now, people do not understand that I can still be in pain (especially because I am not one of those whiners who bitch and complain all the time.)   Let's see, what can you do to help yourself?  truthfully, anything you can find that helps.  wraps, braces, exercise, breathing exercises, stretching, heating pads, a warm neighborhood pool.  It is also important to learn to modify some of you exercises and daily activities in order not to hurt yourself.  You will eventually learn how far you can push yourself before you reach that "I have overdone it" point.  Sometimes (or at least in my case) it takes a while to get that one through a thick head like mine.   We are hear for you to vent to if you should need it.  We share our accomplishment as well as our downfalls on this site.  And we welcome all who are willing to listen.    Keep your chin up!! it takes a while to get to a good point sometimes.  I best advise is to be a self advocate and not allow a slow moving doc to keep you in too much agony.  Pain cannot speak for itself so you have to find that voice for it!!    Check out our articles on how to handle the first stages. Up at the top of the page is a section on Newly diagnosed.  There is also a book on what to expect the first year by Mcneil. The First Year: Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed   Let us know if there is anything I missed or you have any other questions. We are here   Ronie