Yup.. trial and error... And your health insurance as well, may dictate what medications you need to try first, before they start to cover more expensive treatments...

As JayneBradley2 said, we all pretty much start out with the same meds.. My doc said it used to be the gold standard in treating RA.. Methotrexate, Plaquenil and Sulfsalazine. That is the first step. Then from there, if that isn't working well, you get into some of the others..

One of the problems is that the body also adapts to the different medications we take for the RA and it becomes less effective. It's not uncommon to switch medications after about 5 (sometimes even less) years. So it's important to communicate with your doctor if you feel that the medication is just not working for you. You might have to adjust the dose, add something with it (I have to take methotrexate along with the infusions I get) or switch up the medication all together.

I also try to keep active and a healthy diet. I have also tried some home remedies and natural "cures" without any luck as well. It's really frustrating trying to find what works for you.

Low cost and also less aggressive meds with less possible side effects.

If we respond to a lower tier med, then that's great. But all of us begin at the lower tier unless we have more severe presenting symptoms and visible damages. In that case, your doctor may start with an injectable and possibly an additional med to get the RA under control.

Some of us have other health concerns like heart, lung, liver issues or diabetes. A specialist takes all of this into consideration when prescribing a therapy.

Rheumatologists are our best oversight. If you have any concerns, be sure to get answers at your next appointment. It isnt just trial and error. It's trial and response; how the drug affects YOUR immune system. Bc there are different components to our immune system and cells. What fix I need may not be the fix yours needs.

We can have common symptoms but we also vary on other symptoms, pain, flares and severity. We have different blood types and genetics, and react differently to the meds. This is what I've come to realize anyway.

I just try to eat a healthy diet, do stretches and keep active as I can and take what my rheumatologist tells me, bc I have no clue what else I should do. And I have tried so many hopeful natural remedies which may help others, did not work for me, but with a try.

Good morning Leida,

Yes, trial and error is the system used to find the right medication for you. Generally, doctors start with low-cost medication and then move into the more expensive ones. Some medical insurance plans require using this method. Here's one of the tests for evaluating your genes for medication use purposes.
https://www.prismra.com/

Prism RA - Precision medicine for autoimmune diseases

https://www.prismra.com/

Your reumatologist will control your medicines. If one is not working they will try another according to each individuals tolerance.