I Have Had SEVERE Arthritis In My Whole Body Since

I have had SEVERE arthritis in my whole body since age 40. I am now 63 years old. I just went to see someone yesterday for my neck. I had an MRI of cervical spine which shows degenerative disc disease. (I think it's more than that because I cannot turn my head to either side at all. It's excruciating pain. I think maybe a neurologist should be next. Anyway, this orthopedist gave me MELOXICAM to use. But I react so badly to all medications usually. He said this shouldn't upset my stomach. But I have had to stop medications like these over the years because of stomach upset. Everything in the last 8 years bothers me terribly. How long to take it before I know if I can continue taking it or discontinue because of stomach proplems>?????