I've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 15 years. It was reasonably well controlled until a few years ago when I developed a chronic bladder condition with recurring urinary tract infections. One UTI bug managed to get into my bloodstream causing septic arthritis in my hip...ouch!! which required surgery. To cut a very long story short...eventually, and following a second bout of sepsis, it was decided that I had to stop taking all specialised immune suppressing medication for my RA because of frequent recurring UTIs and the high risk of sepsis. This was over a year ago and I have not had a single UTI since, would have had at least two, probably three during that time when I was taking immune suppressing medication. Because I've had so many UTIs my bug, an E. coli type, is now resistant to all of the common antibiotics that GPs can prescribe meaning that should I get a UTI, then I will have to be admitted to hospital to be treated with strong intravenous antibiotics.
People need to take heed of that TV advert warning about over use of antibiotics for minor ailments can lead to big problems when you really need them for more serious infections.
The only specialised RA med I can take is hydroxychloroquine, which although not as effective as methotrexate and etanercept, that I used to take, is helping me. Just hope it doesn't stop working which can happen. I also take strong pain killers.
If that wasn't bad enough, two years ago I was diagnosed with RA related lung disease, which I don't want to go into here. Enough to say that the disease has been stable since it was diagnosed 2 years ago. I see my chest consultant again in May and if there's still no change then he will discharge me...keeping all digits metaphorically crossed for that one.
Regarding the OPs post... I tried sulphalazine and developed a rash and was told to stop taking it immediately. So do be aware of even seemingly minor issues as they can be signs of a serious underlying problem.
Apologies for the long post, just thought I'd elaborate a bit on the sort of damage this shitty disease can do.
Linnfomaniac, if you remember I did speak with you when you were being diagnosed and in a bad state. Sorry to hear that things are not too good, but glad that the medication is at least helping some.