How long does it usually take to get pregnant after you've been off your medication?

I've done a bit of googling on the topic and based on the information I found, most DMARDs (disease modifying drugs) do not seem to affect fertility. I'm assuming your rheumatologist has discussed the fact that methotrexate causes birth defects? Did your doctor also talk to you about how long you need to be off methotrexate before it's safe to get pregnant? I believe it may be several months, but you need advice from an expert. I suggest that you make an appointment with an OB/GYN to discuss the issue further, as they may have information that your rheumatologist does not.

That said, you can probably follow the guidelines for the process of getting pregnant that is used for women in general, whether they have RA or not. Which means it can take a while. If you're under 35, it's recommended you try to get pregnant for a year before seeing a doctor and if you're over 35 years old, they suggest six months. I found a couple of fertility sites that say "trying" means having unprotected sex 2-3 times a week and I'm sure you can find more tips on various fertility-related sites on the Internet. However, given that you may have some questions related to the issue, including the methotrexate involvement, I'd suggest making the appointment now - there may be things an OB/GYN can do to enhance your chances of getting pregnant quickly. And the great thing about becoming pregnant is that the majority of women with RA go into remission while they're pregnant. Before Biologics, I once heard a rheumatologist jokingly suggest that his female clients get pregnant as often as possible as a treatment option.

Good luck!