I'm also fairly new and do not have RA. I will tell you that I was taking over 130mg per day of progest-e for the first 3 month with no adverse reaction. I am now weaned down to about 20mg per day and doing fine with the lowered dose. Since everyone is different I just wanted to share my experience with a higher dose being helpful. You might want to check into red light as well. Peat recommends this and I have found it helpful for pain. I consulted with a person from his link page named Benedicte. I figured since he recommended her for consultation I would give it a try. I was very satisfied. If you can't speak with him I would recommend her. It was 100.00 dollars but well worth it. GOOD LUCK and hang in there.