Now I am REALLY discouraged AND depressed!

[Guest guest]

OK. Today has not been good AT ALL. My rheumatoligist had referred me

to another rheumy at the Med University of SC in ton and I

went this morning. And now all I want to do is cry.

Let me start with the fact that I have had RA since 2002. I have been

seperately diagnosed by 3 different primary doctors an addition to my

local rheumatologist. This " doctor " today felt like I didn't have RA.

She said she felt like I had fibromyalgia, possibly lupus, possibly

scleroderma and more than likely a sleeping disorder. She DID run a

lot of bloodwork which I am glad because blood tests don't lie. Other

than my shoulders, hands & feet, I was actually having a good day

today. Oh and " since I am double jointed, that can cause joint

problems. "

Fibro had been mentioned to me a couple of years ago but I have had

lupus tests run - all negative in the past. I don't sleep well

because of the pain that she " brushed off " . With my shoulders alone,

I have dislocated both a total of 5 times, have 4 pins in one and a

fracture to the other. Then just had all of the other wonderful aches

and pains. She doesn't believe in pain meds, doesn't prescribe them,

and doesn't prescribe sleeping aids. She told me this all up front -

I never asked for anything. Although I was going to, but not after

she said that. She wants me to go to a sleep clinic. I don't have a

disorder!!!!! and I am jsut so ticked that I wasted money and time

with this woman.

I don't know where else to turn and I am probably the most

discouraged I have ever been. And I am a naturally happy person but I

feel like somebody punched me in the stomach at this point. I did

NOT walk in there wanting a bunch of pills, etc. And I want to make

myself clear on that as I know doctors have to be really careful. All

I want is to get on something that minimizes & addresses the real

problem but until a doctor comes up with a treatment plan that I can

tolerate, exactly what am I supposed to do about the pain???? I am in

pain 24/7. My former rheumy had me go thru all of the DMARD;s,

NSAID's, Enbrel, Humira and Rituxan. I was either allergic to the

med's (and I am talking, throat closing up, hives, face swollen) OR I

had severe side effects. Rituxan was the only drug I tollerated,

however, there was no real change in my condition. That is why he

released me and referred me to the university. He has kept me on

prednisone, percocet (I have never had more than 2 - 5mg in one day!)

& ambien until I could see her.

I know I have to wait for the bloodwork to prove her wrong and I

realize that there's a possiblity that I could have something else in

addition to RA. BUT - I didn't even like her! She was stiff - no bed

side manner and cold. She pitched a fit to sign my renewal form for a

handicap placecard! She said " I didn't need it " . I said, well I guess

you didn't notice the very noticable limp I have. I never, ever take

advantage of the thing, but when I need it, I need it. She totally

blew me off and that really pissed me off. I don't even know where to

go from here. I live in a relatively small town - with only 2

rheumy's in town. One is a well known quack and the other one was the

one that had been my doctor. The thought of having to find yet

another doctor and go thru the same garbage is just depressing. I

can't beleive how she shrugged off my pain and my symptoms. I wasn't

about to ask her for a thing the way she treated me and this is

supposed to be some great wonderful teaching hospital????? I think

she should go BACK to school and learn a few more things.

Does anyone have any suggestions on finding a good doctor in the

South/East? I live in South Carolina. I can't afford to have a ton of

expensive visits and walk away feeling like I feel right now. This

has really put a bad taste in my mouth not to mention the fact that I

am really depressed now. Several hundred dollars right down the tube.

Although I wouldn't go back to her if she was the last doctor on the

planet, I am looking forward to proving her wrong.

Thank you so much for just listening