I was diagnosed w/ RA in April 2008. I didn't wait around for my symptoms to get worse...as I could see it was going down hill quick...I immediately went to see a natural medicine doctor...changed my diet & have been taking various supplements. I took Celebrex for 10 months in conjunction with the diet & supplements. However, I am completely off medication now and have no RA symptoms at all. The things to stay away from: gluten, wheat, dairy, processed & fake sugar, and soy...also processed foods and foods w/ additives. If you really want to help your RA symptoms, I recommend reading Dr. Asa Andrew's book "Empowering Your Health" as well as getting his book "Foundational Food Guide" which list the Approved & Unapproved foods for the Anti-Inflamatory diet (this is good not just for RA). You can visit his website at www.drasa.com - he also has a syndicated radio talk show. I went through the program at his clinic in Nashville and now I think...OMG why doesn't everybody do this?? If all it takes is changing the food I eat & take all these supplements to get my life back...it's worth it to me. In this program, you go through a series of detox, 85-panel blood work to determine deficiencies in your body (which dictates what supplements you need), and of course changing your diet.  What you're really doing is giving your body the fuel it needs to battle...build back your immune system and give it the opportunity to function properly by repairing & balancing your cells...not shut it down with toxic medication. Cells regenerates everyday and you have to give it proper means for it to do so. If the immune system is not functioning properly, it's a definitely indication that something is wrong...fix the root of the problem. One wouldn't tell a screaming child to shut up w/o finding out what is wrong so why do people do that to their own immune system? Sorry, I just get carried away. I hope this information helps & best wishes to you.