Do you have a new on picked out? If not, look at the websites where patients rate doctors and see if the comments about any of them seem encouraging. If you have a good PCP ask him or her for a recommendation. Your use of the term "bulldozed" in conjunction with your present one doesn't speak well of him. I have a rant a few posts down about one I saw this week. Yecchh. Just keep looking, I guess. Good luck.

I definitely think you need a new rheumy. Our rheumys need to treat ALL of you, symptoms included. I just changed because my first one didn't take me serious at all...even though I had abnormal labs! I had to wait over 4 months for the appointment with my new one. But I'm very glad I did.

It might help to make a list of your concerns so when you see a new rheumy everything will be fresh in your mind. You can tell the new rheumy that you need to improve your pain level as well as treat the disease.

I have been so fortunate in that the first Rheumy I saw is wonderful. However, should I have not been happy, I would have kept going until I found one who was caring, thorough and aggressive in treating RA.
When I first saw my Rheumy, I had written down all the symptoms and now whenever I see a specialist or GP I write down my concerns and make sure I get them answered. I've learnt that you are your own best advocate and you know your body best..
Good luck

write down your symptoms so that you don't forget what you want to talk to the doctor about. also, in a non-bashing way, discuss what your previous/current doctor didn't do that you hope this new doctor would be willing to do, like explain why you feel like you need to change meds. try to have a conversation with the doctor, where he listens to you talk and then you listen to how he responds.

If possible I think doctors recommended by others is the way to go.
I am much the same, heck I am the same, fear of any new doctors.

Perhaps taking a list of your concerns & letting this doctor know you simply want the best control over this & quality in your life.
You simply did not feel you were being heard. You realize doctors see a lot of patients but you need your concerns heard & addressed.
Taking a spouse or someone with you the first appointment or two can help. That little extra support & the doctors see you have another set of eyes & ears. Keep good eye contact with this new doctor. Bring any questions, films or recent tests, blood work.
As hard as it is until the first couple appointments its hard to tell if he or she is a good fit.
Another thing is the office, if the staff is friendly & organized. Believe or not that can give a little insight about the doctors.

Ive had other patients in waiting rooms ask me what I think about a doctor & Ive told them. Keep your ears & eyes open you may hear something from other patients. Its amazing at times what people say.
I wish you the best of luck.
Blessings, Sammy

it is important to have some patience, the second time I saw the Rheumatologist I wasn't even sure he knew who he was talking to, by the third time I realize he was seeing me in a different way than I was, seeing things that I was in denial about. He gave me a good stern talking to about treating pain, and he gave me a round of Prednisone and after a few days I realized that I need to have a much more open mind (not bad advice for all of us eh?) even when we don't want to hear it sometimes :P I agree that doctors can be pretty frustrating sometimes (and not always inclined to listen) but I bet they feel the same way about us sometimes :D