Hello

Hi everyone, I've never used a forum before so please be patient with me. I was diagnosed in July 2017 but they don't know what type I have. My mother had Psoriatic Arthritis, and they jumped on that, but I didn't have normal symptoms and also had Lymes Disease 9 years ago. So they just call it RA because the treatment is the same. I didn't have symptoms, it was diagnosed after surgery for something else. I've had osteoarthritis for years, and a very heavy manual job which always hurt to do but I could mostly cope with that type of pain as simple Ibuprofen and rest/exercise managed it fine. I was started on Methotrexate and persisted with it for 4 months but had severe side effects and liver problems on it. They changed it to Sulphasalazine 7 weeks ago and I had two episodes 4 weeks apart of the most screaming pain ever. First in one hip and unable to weightbear (ended up in hospital), then both shoulders at the same time with no relief until I got given oral steroids. I've been back to see Consultant who has upped the Sulpha and wants to add Hydroxycloriquine. Neither of us are convinced Sulpha will work. My question really is - pain and stiffness with my OA is normal and bearable, but how do you all cope with the rapid onset (2 hours) severe flare and totally unable to move/weightbear? Do you get drugs to keep at home for this? I'm terrified about another flare and would really appreciate advice, thanks everyone.