What's the most effective and least risky (with regard to side
effects) treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

I don't know
- but I do know a woman who had it for years 'and it suddenly burnt out'

It seems it does.

Try faddy diets like the macrobiotic one, if nothing else it will pass the time.

From what I read there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis and
all treatments available are to reduce pain and discomfort, prevent
deformities and loss of joint function, and maintain a productive and
active life.  I found these drugs which are used for the treatment but
none of which state which is least risky I'm afraid.

"There are three general classes of drugs commonly used in the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
agents (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and remittive agents or disease
modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). NSAIDs and corticosteroids
have a short onset of action while DMARDs can take several weeks or
months to demonstrate a clinical effect. DMARDs include methotrexate,
leflunomide (Arava?), etanercept (Enbrel?), infliximab (Remicade?),
adalimumab (Humira?), anakinra (Kineret?), antimalarials, gold salts,
sulfasalazine, d-penicillamine, cyclosporin A, cyclophosphamide and
azathioprine. Because cartilage damage and bony erosions frequently
occur within the first two years of disease, rheumatologists now move
more aggressively to a DMARD agent"

This website may prove effective however as it displays the side
effects of the 3 treatment programs available.

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/rheumatoid/rheum_treat.html

I can only offer anecdotal information. I developed rather severe RA
quite a number of years ago. At that time gold salts were freuently
given. I went for several/many years until I developed bone marrow
suppression. I then went to methotrexate for a while. I think it
burned out (crossing fingers). I am left with some bone destruction,
but not a lot.

I would not take the first suggestion. My mother had RA but due to the
miserable state of healthcare in our town, it was not diagnosed. Her
first diagnosis was at a Speciality Clinic. By then she had lost a hip
joint on one side. She ended up with four joint replacements.

Just find a Rheumotoligist you trust and go with him?her. But ask all
the questions you worry about. This is a personal disease and the
treatment is personal. If your Rheumotologist will not answer your
questions, then find one who will. But don't delay treatment.