What can I take to help with my rheumatoid arthritis Until I see the specialist?

I was diagnosed a year ago, am now 52. I was out of work initially 3 months until meds kicked in. Started with prednisone 40 mg a day, now still on them but 3 mg every other day. Methotrexate 7 pills 1 a week all at once. I am 1 year into this, only worked 4 months last year due to 2 surgeries, and the rheumatoid.Now struggling with "brain fog", a term I recently looked up, due to getting in trouble at work, repeatedly loosing concentration, distracted, and memory loss, and first time I'm admitting this, depression. I too, need advise, scary...

I'm in the same boat! I went to get a OTC diuretic because dr won't refill my furosemide. I can't wear my wedding rings and I'm always in pain. This has progressively worsened in past couple of months, so glad I'm not alone! Meloxicam not helping, Advil not helping - nothing! My rheum dr appt is 7/6. I'll let you know what she says. I'm only 40 too. I know how you feel right now! Sorry for not great typing as it is painful (which I'm sure you can relate).

Be very careful when mixing prednisone and NSAIDS. - Applies to: prednisone, meloxicam
Before using predniSONE, tell your doctor if you also use meloxicam. Call the doctor if you have side effects such as unusual bleeding, severe abdominal pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and the appearance of black, tarry stools. You should take the medications with food and tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. You may need a dose adjustment if you take both medications. This may be more likely to occur in older adults or those with a debilitating condition. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

You should tell your doctor that your pain has not been relieved. You shouldn't live in pain. There are so many options to handle pain & a good doctor would work toward achieving your comfort. When I first felt pain & before diagnosis, I went on a 5 day pack of prednisone which helped with the pain but then stopped after about 2 days on the medicine because it wasn't strong enough. One week and alot of pain later, a rheumatologist diagnosed RA and put me on prednisone for the pain and Plaquenil & Methotrexate for the long term control of the disease. She said I need the prednsione in the short term for pain and once the other meds "kick in" i will wean off the prednisone. I started at 30mg /day and am now at 15mg.. Perhaps you need a longer run/larger dose of the prednisone to really get the pain. Call your doctor today!!

Contra indications: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1146-0,1549-0,1936-0&types[]=major&types[]=minor&types[]=moderate&types[]=food&professional=1

I have no other suggestions. My mum uses mentholated aspirin sticky pads which helps with her fingers and knuckles which provide some temporary relief (the Chinese shops seem to sell them over here but only in a couple of non-racist States).

All 3 of these meds are helpful and I'm surprised that you aren't being helped.
Furosemide is a diuretic or "water pill" which can reduce joint pain if you're retaining fluids.
Meloxicam is an NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) which is specifically known to reduce pain and inflammation from RA.
Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. It also suppresses the immune system. RA is your body's immune system turned against your joints.
Your Drs. have prescribed good choices in drugs. You could take the amount of meloxicam (NSAID) and add more of an NSAID like ibuprofen or aspirin. Look at the maximum daily dose of any NSAID and of aspirin. Make sure you don't exceed the appropriate amounts of each for how many times today you expect to take these meds. There are maximum doses per day you should not exceed or you can damage your liver.