Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Especially when the diagnosis comes at 45 years of age, with no previous history of mental illness?
My apologies for the lengthy additional details, but this is important. Here is a brief summary of what has happened in the past 4 years:
Single mom with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful, crippling disease.
Widespread osteoarthritis, in need of two total knee replacements, various other joint reconstruction necessary.
No pain meds nor pain management prescribed by doctors.
Currently taking moderate, fluctuating doses of prednisone along with 20 mgs. of methotrexate (a cancer drug) weekly.
Feelings of guilt over how this disease has affected my family.
Inability to engage in many previously enjoyed activities. This has led to a sense of loss.
Mother has been ill during this time and has endured 5 surgeries.
In the past 90 days the following has occurred:
Found a breast lump with lymph node swelling in the nearest armpit.
Enlarged thyroid with thyroid lump.
Have entered menopause.
Monthly income has dropped by more than half, with total income per month at less than $400 dollars. Very real possibility of homelessness.
Strange medical and emotional symptoms include panic attacks, night sweats, extreme fatigue, insomnia, irritability, frequent crying, increased joint and muscle pain, etc.
Feeling depressed and overwhelmed, I sought counseling. My therapist felt I was simply overly anxious and depressed, and recommended that I speak with the clinic psychiatrist. She felt he may prescribe something to ease my symptoms.
After only one hour with me, during which he asked only 10-15 questions to which I was not allowed to elaborate in my answer, he slapped me with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, wrote a prescription for anti-convulsants and sent me from his office.
Needless to say, this has caused additional stress, and I will be seeking a second opinion.
My question is, considering all that I have endured these past 4 years, is it possible that the diagnosis is grossly inaccurate?
Might one in my position be expected to suffer anxiety and depression, and experience similar physical and emotional symptoms?
Thank you for taking the time to read that.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for almost 7 years. I have tried every drug and nothing has worked. So, they put me on Remicade. The first two IV drips worked perfectly, then after those two times. The next two times I have had shortness of breath during the IV drip, then the next day I woke up with swelled fingers. The Remicade stopped working, my rheumatoid arthritis didn’t go away at all after the IV drip. It’s all very painful. I have rheumatoid arthritis in both ankles, both knees, both shoulders, and the right side of my jaw. Even though the Remicade doesn’t seem to work any more at all, if anything it seems to make things worse for me now. Ever since I have gotten the IV drip, I don’t seem to be getting my period at all. I asked them and they said they didn’t think it effected it. But ever since I have been on it. I haven’t had my period at all. ( I am not pregnant, I have never had sex before, and there is no signs of being pregnant at all besides no period. ) It’s been since the end of may with out my period, and I don’t know what to do. It is starting to scare me.
Has this happened to anyone else before? (About anything of this in general.)
Is it bad to not have your period for this long?
Thanks in advance for any help.

I have had chronic pain for well over 8 yrs. now. I suffer with three major arthritic conditions, including fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteo arthritis. I’ve been on many over the counter and prescriptions drugs including IV injected drugs. To top it all off I now suffer with nerve pain by having abdominal surgery recently. Of all the medications I have ever taken, I am either immuned or allergic too. Immuned meaning that the medications no longer take my pain away and are rendered useless. I’ve had TENS units and many forms of psycho therapy for my variety of pains.
The only thing that really works for me, oddly is a steady beer intake every night. I know that alcohol can wreak havoc on many parts of the body, and it is not recommended by many health care providers. I am at a total loss for what to do and to take for my pain. Has anyone ever found themselves in my shoes? Sincere answers only please. Thank you.

Any info; i wonder if that applies to BEXTRA , ALSO–A SIMILAR DRUG – USED FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND OTHER TYPES ARTHRITIS TOO ( I THIN); THANKS FOR COMMENTS AND/OR HELP BOUT THIS…

I have used prescription drugs and their side effects are worse than the symptoms they are made to relieve. Any suggestions?