@betsyhase Hi Betsy. I was prescribed methotrexate and recently I quit taking it .Five years ago when I saw an internist he sent me home with 6 meds to take . You only take methotrexate one day a week and you can feel really crappy on that day so the internist said to curl up and read a book that day......He also prescribed alendronate and as I was walking out of his office hs said "if you get alendronate stuck in your throat go to emergency at the hospital right away.When I asked why he said ''if you get it stuck in your throat it can eat your esophagus."After doing some investigation I found alendronate was prescribed to prevent osteoporosis ,and further to that methotrexate can lead to osteoporosis. So you get prescribed one drug and need another to counteract the side effects of the other.I am experiencing pain so severe this week as I have quit taking my prednisone as well as I am having bone pain with knocking sounds when I turn my back.This morning it was excruciating to reach and lift my coffee cup.Had blood work last week as well as spine x-rays from neck to tailbone so will get results this coming week. It's almost a given that I will have to go back on prednisone.I feel trapped with what seems no way out of this situation Hope this hasn't scared you.I know doctors hate what they call Dr Google but each of us must research our situation and be proactive in our own care. My previous doctor who I loved said to me the first time we met was''do you know the difference between God and a doctor'' I said no and he followed by saying ''God doesn't want to be a doctor'' Oh how I miss him.You said it when you said "This is such an isolating condition".Good thing we have this forum . We are not alone . Wishing you well wendyb