So sorry, Maritza! Twenty five years ago I was told about minocycline being a good drug for RA. (This was before biologics and some of the DMARDS.) I told my rheumatologist I wanted to use that. It seemed more "natural". I felt better in many ways but in 12 months all of the bones in my wrists were eroded. It didn't slow down the permanent damage RA was doing. It ultimately led to ulnar deviation. RA meds slow the damage. Fortunately there are many drugs now. Research and clinical trials are continuing on new ones.
It seems that every RA medicine needs time to work so that slows down how long it takes to feel better. Folic acid and Vitamin D are to help your body when you take methotrexate. They are vitamins There is one thing that is very natural - check your diet. Many of us find that red meat and dairy products increase inflammation. After 45 days of zero dairy products I was markedly better. Usually it takes 90 days to see if you react to it. Another natural thing is gentle exercise like moving your body. Even in pain it helps. Also use cold or warm packs on your body (everyone is different as to which feels better.) You may be doing all of these things. I know a person who became a vegetarian (adding fish) and her pain went away. She finds she still needs the RA drug but she feels fine. We are in the dark being our own detective to find what our bodies react to if anything. Good luck and I will be praying for you.

I have to use meds occasionally. There are times when I either travel or misbehave with the way I eat. So, I use Rinvoq. It has some significant side affects. I control my RA with food and herbs as much as I can. I use L-Glutamine to heal my leaky gut. I believe my RA was caused by gluten intolerance. So I cut out gluten, sugars and red meat. I use moringa powder, matcha powder, wheat grass powder and plantain weed powder. I use Rooibos tea, ginger tea and green teas. I use vitamin B-1 for energy production, magnesium citrate, Nordic Naturals fish oil, Olive oil, macadamia nut oil and wild caught salmon from the north pacific. I eat poultry, mostly turkey, baked, not fried. I have come very far in 21 years because back then I could not even tie my shoes or clean myself after having a bowel movement. Through extensive trial and error and experimenting with diet I had seen on the internet and You tube videos. The item that made the biggest improvement was using organic low sodium beef broth and organic low sodium chicken bone broth. I mix them 50/50 and is the first thing I drink in the morning. I usually put a little moringa, matcha, ginger or other spices or herbs to get a little variety. I have warm lemon water when I feel my body is becoming too acidic because I still enjoy organic rice chips to an extreme. Lemon will decrease the acidity significantly. I drink as much water as I can through the day. I hope your path through life will bring you much success and rewards. Also reduce your stress levels as much as you can. Surround yourself with good and avoid anyone who is not worthy of your presence.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "natural route." RA has different levels of inflammation and pain. I was diagnosed 16 years ago and was put on Enbrel within one year. Throughout the years I've been in complete remission to a total flare up. It comes and goes. I personally know 2 other friends who have RA and it has mainly stayed in their hands. Neither one of them have been to a rheumatologist for it. What I'm trying to say is, RA comes in many forms. If you get bad and think the "natural route" will conquer your battles, I would have to say you're fooling yourself. Eating healthy is good for all of us, with or without RA. Be wary of the "snake oil."

Hey Nancy. Thanks for responding. Actually. I've been dealing with Autoimmune issues for 40 years. It's a connective tissue disorder that causes skin sensitivities, miscarriages, low platelets. Intermittent kidney issues and joint pain with fatigue. I managed pretty well, addressing each issue as it came along. Often long periods of remission. But about 18 yrs ago new symptoms presented along with GI complaints. I saw a Rheumatologist who diagnosed RA. He explained that my other A.I. triggered it and likely the GI issues. It was all happening at a very stressful time in my life(both personal and professional). Being a RN helped me find all the right people and support and was able to get it all under control and manageable.
I've been doing well for years...had a bit of a set back for about 2-3 years but got back on track.
I watch my diet, hydrate well, manage stress with intention. No sugar, no alcohol, no sodium. Stretch and move every day and work on keeping joy in my life. I'm now retired. Had to get out of the way of Covid to protect myself. I've started traveling again and am grateful for a loving family and supportive medical care.

Listen...RA is an Autoimmune disease that has no cure. And everyone is different when it comes to what helps and what doesn't help. And if you have 1 Autoimmune issue, you likely have another. They kind of go hand in hand.
I will tell you my experience. After several years of relying on medication to treat my RA, I was feeling so good I decided I'd test the waters and go off everything. I continued some supplements and watched my diet BUT after about 8 months I started feeling worse and worse. And NY 14 months on nothing I was right back to where I started 15 years ago!! Had to start all over again which took another 10 months to feel functional. Its been 2 years and im finally back!! Needless to say, I'll never do that again.