If you're not getting the care you need from your rheumy then find a new one. I finally saw a different one and I can't tell you how much better I am now!

I agree with RCross. You do not need to knock down his door. You do not need to demand medications. What you need to do is Find a different Dr, one who will listen to you, and start some sort of treatment.

In spite of my bloodwork showing nothing wrong with me, the Rheum. looked at my feet, hands, listened to what I had to say. I was started on methotrexate right away, after 3 months, when that had no improvement, put me on Humira. The improvement after that was very, very fast. I am not where I use to be, but that is OK. I am so much better than I was last year at this time.

You should be receiving MTX if your diagnosis is RA. That is BS. I'm 27 and have spent the last year being dicked around by different doctors, claiming I'm too young and am in good general health so just to wait it out and I'll get better. Even so far as to have me on Ativan claiming I have some type of anxiety disorder that is causing my pain. I finally did my own research and met with a rheumatologist just earlier this week, and I seriously cried it was so amazing to have someone finally listen to me.

I've been told when my tests come back in Sept I will begin taking MTX. For her to state that just based on an hour conversation and looking at me, shows me that you should be seeing someone else who will listen better to you. We're too young to be dealing with this period, let alone having to be pushed around because of it. You're right, you need to advocate for yourself, and find someone who will take you seriously. Good luck.

Thank you all.. I appreciate your advice so much. I will be changing doctors ASAP!

I am in total agreence with everyone thus far. The way my rheumy explained it to me the mix is to protect your joints from future damage. I didn't overly to take it, feared the read about side effects, not that bad honestly. When compared to pain in my hands,,wrists, fingers, etc. a walk in the park! Find someone who listens; and Welcome to our group. Stay well. Trish

You may or may not test positive for gluten intolerance but many people with auto immune problems find it helps to avoid gluten...some do ok with it...you can do you own elimination diet and see if it helps---just do some research first and make sure you are really avoiding gluten--it can be in some things you wouldn't suspect...and as for the diagnosis that seems to happen to all of us, I tested positive for lupus, but after he started treating me, he changed my diagnosis to RA and that is what he is treating me for...and now he thinks I may have Sjorgrens as well :P the docs usually start with plaqenil and increase the meds in steps until you start getting better....

I have noticed that some doctors who treat us young females will often shy away from biologics and the other more aggressive treatments. I don't know of any that are approved for use while pregnant. So if your medical record shows you are sexually active and don't use a solid birth control or you happen to mention you are thinking of pregnancy (even though it might not even be this year but say in 5) they tend to shy away from offering them. So you might just have to set them straight on what you want.

Yes, I read that Arava can stay in your body up to 2 years, and it can cause birth defects. About the Drs, I stay away from older doctors. I prefer young, female doctors, who will usually talk to me and listen as though I am an intelligent human being. Older doctors think they know everything and don't like being questioned by us ignorant patients.

I haven't had that issue with an older rheumy. Thankfully!!!

I've read, and questioned by doctor, about Arava when he first prescribed it. I told me that there is another medication that will clear it out of your system if need be. My concern was that I would start taking it and react poorly too it....and then have it in my system for another 4 months or so.

That's good. I wondered how they dealt with it if you have a serious allergic reaction to something with such a long half-life.

Interesting premise about the older docs, lady3jane - I haven't put that to the test yet....but I will say that by far, the rudest, coldest, most arrogant 2 docs I've ever dealt with were women.

I specifically chose a woman OB/GYN for my first pregnancy b/c I thought she'd have a good "bedside manner." When I had complications from my c-sec and called her emergency number late at night - she called back and bawled me out - said "are you telling me you called me just because you are in PAIN?" -- she said this in a sneering, rude way. Ended up I needed hospitalization. She was not only wrong - she made me literally scared of docs for a LONG time.

Then there was the pulmonary hypertension specialist - a gorgeous, stylish woman who had a god-complex - she treated me HORRIBLY and made cutting, personally insulting remarks to me. I ran from her and never looked back.

One "older" doc I had experience with was my child's first pediatrician - he was a GEM. He not only took all the time in the world with us, he was VERY up-to-date on the newest research and was very supportive of us as parents. I was crushed when he retired.

My favorite doc of all time was my OB/GYN for my 2nd and 3rd babies- he was probably late 50's, and from Ghana. Amazing man. Wish he could handle all my care, lol.

I wish I could discern a "type" of doc to profile as better - but alas, have not found the secret just yet. Favorites have included: pediatrician who was probably in his 70s, OB/GYN in 50s, Cardiologist in 40's, and my current rheumy so far I like a lot is in his 40s I'm guessing. All over the map, basically. : )

I urge us all, however, to not settle for sub-par, dismissive care. We are the consumers here (repeating what RASally said recently - SO TRUE), and they work for US. Period.

Scarlett.... I had a cardiology tell me I was a young female so I didn't have an issue. Then he went on to ask me, with my husband sitting there, if I went to church and if I was concerned about my husband cheating on me! I was floored. I refused to go to another cardiology. I told my husband that whatever was wrong would just kill me and then someone would figure it out. In the end, the hubby found an amazing cardiology for me....and he dx'd me with atrial fib, and preformed the surgery. After surgery he told me that I had the worse case he had seen undiagnosed.

RA Sally....I think we should start that thread!!!! It could be laugh therapy for us!

OH MY GOD RCross that is the most bizarre thing I've ever heard, about the cardiologist! I would have had to pick myself up off the floor, holy crap!

RASally - about the neuro comment - I'm......speechless, lol.

"Dumb things doctors say" -- love it....

There's one theory out there that the youngest ones are the best, as they were trained at a time when there were better options for RA and its cousins, i.e. the biologic drugs. If yours has been in practice for 50 years, you are looking at someone in his 80's. If he loves the field and has stayed current, could be good. Otherwise, not so much. The same theory says to stay away from the middle-aged ones. When they graduated, rheumatology was the field of last resort and ended up with those who couldn't gain admission to any other residency program.

I hope this is true, as my upcoming appointment is with someone who I think is something like 16! My first one was mid-40s, and I liked her. Second one was well into his 70's, med school faculty, and really pretty awful.

Seeing as MTX and pregnancy are a nightmare combination, I can see why they would worry.