extreme case - Help please

[Guest guest]

Hi, My girlfriend is now 19 years old, and is diagnosed with RA,

after the doctors had said she had lupus. Shes had it about a year to

a year and a half. Its in her knees, feet, shoulders, hands, wrists,

and back. Shes been on prednisone, which helped but we had to ask the

doctor to take her off that, because it would have killed her if she

stayed on it for such a long period of time. Shes also been on

(excuse the mis-spelling of the names) vioxx, hydrocloraquin and

motrin(which she's still on). And now methrotrexate. Nothing seems to

be helping her. Theres a lot of days where she doesnt have the

strength to get out of bed, walk, pick up a pen to write. Most the

time she cant even close her hand completely.

Does anyone out there have or know somoene who has an extreme case

like this that can help? Does anyone know of any medications that

work above the rest. Or any RA specialists in the US that are the

best in their field. Or are their programs like certain types of

theorpy that would help in this case. Any help can make a difference.

I hope someone can help.

Sincerly,

Nick