Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment problem - #10504

Hello. My sister is 45 years old and was diagnosed this week with rheumatoid arthritis. She has no other medical conditions. Her hands joints started hurting about a year ago, and about a month ago she began experiencing swelling in some of her hand and feet joints, along with pain in almost all her joints, both small and large. After a blood test, she was diagnosed to have RA. RF = 351 Anti-CCP > 500 The following medications were prescribed to her today: * Methotrexate 2.5mg tablets Four tablets every Friday * Folic acid 5mg tablets One tablet every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday * Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) 200mg caplets One caplet every day (evening) continuously * Prednisolone 5mg tablets 2 x 2 x 10 days 1 x 2 x 10 days 1 x 1 x 10 days * Etoflam (Etoricoxib) 90mg tablets 1 x 1 x 20 days * Pulcet (pantoprazole) 40mg tablets 1 x 1 x 30 days * Now (Vit D3) 50,000 IU caplets One caplet per week for 3 months The doctor insisted she not get pregnant because methotrexate treatment would cause birth defects. After returning home, her husband categorically refused to allow her to take any contraceptives. He also refused to allow her to travel to see the specialist who treated her again, and we haven't been able to contact him since we live in a remote area. Please advise us if there is an alternative treatment to methotrexate that is safe during pregnancy and has the same effect. As of today, March 12, 2026, she has not used any treatment. Please reply as soon as possible. Thank you.