My journey is very similar to yours. About 3 1/2 years ago all my symptoms came on extremely fast(not sure if there is a connection but it was within a week of getting vaccinated) but started with extreme headache, pain across my back, neck, shoulders and arms and joints, then burning in my hands and feet. I also had extreme muscle wasting and was to the point where I couldn’t get out of bed or dress myself (before this I was very active, went to gym daily and daily evening walking) so got in to see dr and had blood work done. Inflammatory and rheumatoid factors were high(CRP was very high @169.2) so they immediately put me on high dose prednisone(50mgs daily) then tapered down weekly until I was able to see a rheumatologist. He had me continue the tapering off prednisone but started me on methotrexate @25mgs per with a plan to taper 2.5mgs every 8 weeks with the hopes of being able to be off everything within a couple years but each time I drop below 7.5mgs I start having flair ups. I also added many supplements to the regimen and over time I have gradually improved by about 75% and my blood markers are all back down in the normal range. My rheumatologist is now recommending that I start taking Hydroxychloroquine @400mgs daily then after 2 months try tapering off of the methotrexate again with the intent of just having to take the hydroxychloroquine alone as it supposedly doesn’t have as bad of side effects as methotrexate?
My big concern is that after being through so much in the last 37 months I’m leery about trying anything else that could potentially cause eye damage now so I’m considering just living with the fact that I may have to be on methotrexate forever now and just continue as is. Thanks