Bcatz,

Thank you. Steroids have been a miracle. She, the rheumy, said at this time they are not indicated. Her words.

I am waiting on my PCP to call me. I hope he is as angry as I am. He was at the last rheumy, soo...

More proof: that rheumy is suffering from a craniorectal inversion. Find a new one.

Sally,

You're right, this thread has been very helpful.

I would say you guys have no idea what this means to me, but I think you know all too well.

This is a wonderful group.

A posting of sympathy to add to the others. I dont understand the differences of approach between rheumatologists.

I dont know how old you are but you sound as if you might be one of the younger ones. There was a young twenties NZ woman on here who had a terrible time with poor support from quite a prestigious teaching hospital's rheumy. I didnt understand it at all but am wondering if they try to avoid the more damaging drugs too early with younger people, especially where they are operating on comparisons with older fogies...

She did get plaquenil though.

Maybe they are so hooked into ticking "could be" result boxes that they dont see wood for the trees as they saying goes. That closed mind tight medical training. On the other hand as someone else has already said, less bluntly, there are plenty of idiots out there in the medical profession.

Diclofenic is one of the early treatments that basic doctors will try here. When it isnt working that is supposedly an indicator that you might have RA or a similar issue. Not good. Grrr.

I can't help but notice your unicorn is sprouting a rainbow from its rear! It made me laugh so hard.
I understand and empathize with you. Sometimes it seems that we are ment to only feel pain. Walking is the best exercise, do what you can when you can but take it easy on yourself! We all used to be something different and so far no one has said they rather be this way. Keep trying on the rhumy front, I went to 3 before I found my current doc.
So sory for your pain, see a pain management doc ASAP, so you can get your feet back under you.
See if you can squeeze out one tiny rainbow a day, it will help you get through till tomorrow. Good luck

PCP asked me to try one more rheumy, one he has dealt with for 27 years. I have mixed feelings about this. PCP says he just doesn't know enough to treat me... if third rheumy doesn't act I will implore my PCP...

Plus I need to appeal for advanced imaging/US.

My PCP gave me prednisone when I went to see him. I was in tears with all of the pain and inflammation. He had to help me from the chair to the examination table. He told me he would have me walking and feeling better by the next day - and he did. I stayed on the prednisone for over a year while we tried methotrexate, Plaquenil, and eventually went to Humira, which is the only thing I now take.

I feel your pain - pun intended:)

My first rheumy was a quack. I stayed with him and his outdated tests, medications, etc for 3 months. Finally, one of my best friends, who worked for Abbott (makers of Humira), asked if I would let her refer me to one of the best rheumys in St Louis. She asked her reps who the best doctor in STL was, and she got me in to see her in 2 weeks, when her new patient visits were 3+ months out.

I am so thankful and forever grateful that I let her help me, because Dr Deb has been a godsend. After a few tests, she immediately put me on Humira, and I was noticeably better within 3-6 months.

I am so sorry to hear of the struggles you are having finding a great rheumy. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! You will find the right one for you! But YOU have to be your biggest advocate. Keep looking until you find YOUR rheumy:)

My Goodness confoosed, so sorry that all this is going on with you. All on here know that I am very passive and subdued when it comes to doctors and people who park in handicap spaces and In your case, here is what I would do.
quack said come back in 6 months - ok. Walk out of the office - go home and call for an appointment. get the appointment and walk back in - quack will say I said 6 months and you can say - "You can wait for 6 months - I can't, now can you treat me or not ?"
Now Mr Quack is in a pickle - if he says no, then you call the AMA and relate that you have been denied treatment -
if quack says yes and he indeed lives up to his name I would make 2 calls - one to AMA and the 2nd to the local TV station -

The Bluedogs2 has the patience of gnat with some of things I read on here - I would get all over someone's behind if I were treated that shabby.

Sorry to rant, but this ticked me off.

Peace and be well
Bluedogs2

Sally & Bluedogs, when are you two starting your "We'll come with you to the doctor" service? I'll help design the capes, and you two can swoop in the window anywhere an RA patient is being mistreated by a doctor.

Confoosed, you might try looking for a young rheumy. The field has changed tremendously since Enbrel became available +/- 15 years ago. Also, maybe check the doctor rating websites for rheumatologists in your area. These sites are far from gospel, but if there a lot of reviews and they tend to skew one way or another, it could point you towards or away from someone.

Thanks altoclef - apparently I have already started - went to my PCP today. She said, "I hear you had words with your new rheumy" I said "Absolutely not, I can't speak her native tongue"

PCP went bonkers doing the knee slap boo-galu. She got the message and then asked me if I needed something for pain. "What'cha got?" replied 'ole Bluedogs2.

"We have hydrocodone or your choice of doors 1,2 or 3." I asked her which door her beamer was behind and that ended the interview.

Bluedogs2 is back home with MBDs2, he is aching all over, got a pain in the side, hair falling out, bad breath, teeth hurt, eyes watering, but no meds. Hummm .... maybe I should have swooped in a bit slower. NO KALE, PLEASE

Peace
Bluedogs2

Negative RF Factor doesn't rule out RA.... get a third opinion. Wait and see in a case of suspected RA is not a good approach, spin that Rheumy Wheel again! Also make sure the new guy does a CRP C-Reactive Protein test... not just a SED RATE. The sed test is not reliable in sero-negative cases. If your lab scores it on a 0 to 3 scale then anything above a 3 is active inflammation... don't let them tell you otherwise (some docs day 10 CRP or under is remission - BS)

PS. stop taking all meds at least 24 hour before your next visit.... some medications may be masking your swelling.... go "naked" for your next exam. If you can stand it... stop taking anything for two days before.

A new doctor will ALWAYS want to see and feel the inflammation before they give out a diagnosis. I know its stupid for a disease that ebbs and flows - not like we can make it swell up on cue! Also if you have a really good day and the swelling goes down - take some pictures so they can see what it should look like - that's the problem with symmetrical swelling - nothing to compare it to.

Thank you all again so much for your comments.

I am discovering how your anger at the situation makes me feel... vindicated and empowered. Isn't that great? Just by telling what BS this is actually makes me feel better.

Gosh Bluedogs, you sparked a discussion in my household! I have added your idea to my list of possible reactions.

To add injury to insult two of my DIP joints on my left hand have decided to hurt, but not swell.

I can't remember if your doc has tried prednisone (long thread, fuzzy memory) - my rheumy used it as one of his diagnostic tools to confirm RA. If it works - presto - you've definitely got RA (or something like that) b/c it relieves the inflammation. Sorry if it's been talked about already, just thought I'd throw it out there. : )
p.s. I get a lot of dip joint pain in the last 2 fingers (pinky and ring fingers) on both hands - I feel your pain!

What a terrible experience! I'm so sorry.

I noticed you mentioned hyper-mobility. I wonder if you might want to check out this link: http://www.ednf.org/

My daughter was diagnosed just a week ago with Ehler's Danlos Syndrome (EDS) hyper-mobility type. It causes wide-spread joint pain and is often mistakenly diagnosed as fibromyalgia, lupus, etc. My daughter has been in pain for about five years and went to doctor after doctor seeking answers. Finally, her rheumatologist sent her to a geneticist for EDS diagnosis. (She did NOT test positive for RA, but had symptoms like RA.)

My heart goes out to you and I feel your frustration; I'm changing docs myself next month.

God bless,
Marlene

I think the rheumy2 is not following the current SOC for RA. Current protocol is early and aggressive treatment to prevent the destruction joints. Waiting 6 months definitely isn't in that realm.

I was very nervous about going to see a rheumy because the closest one is 400 miles away. There aren't a lot of choices. The one I saw weighed the evidence present very carefully and then told me he thought it was either RA or PsA and that the treatment was the same and we were starting it. At the end of the appointment he suggested "some sort of exercise like yoga or something" and "someone to talk to about the aspects of the disease that can cause depression" I'm not ready to look for someone to talk to other than DS and RAW, but I did start researching yoga classes.

There is a yoga class out there sometimes billed as "restorative" or Yin Yoga that I can do and it has seemed HUGELY beneficial to me. It is all done sitting or lying down with a little kneeling. One uses props such as bolsters, pads (for those needs) and bricks to settle into position. I *always* feel better when I leave. Occasionally it sparks a mini-flare which is gone in 24 hours and things feel looser and move more easily. It is the only "exercise" I can do. I go through a couple of studios since it is offered once a week at one and once a week at the other.

Also, very occasionally, the "restorative" classes do a little yang
yoga which is difficult for me. Luckily, all the teachers will make modifications for the moves. My favorite class is a Yin Yoga/Yoga Nedra class. If she offered it more times a week, I'd take it more times a week.