I am SO upset! Help!!!

[Guest guest]

I had another rheumatology appointment today, the second with the

female doctor in the practice. The male doctor is very thorough and

competent but he has no personality or bedside manner. A friend

suggested I might want to start seeing the female doctor instead. At

the first appointment with her, I thought she rushed me through, but

the place was mobbed so I had some sympathy. Well, the place was NOT

mobbed today and the visit was AWFUL! Here's what happened:

My ankles and knees have been very swollen; this past week, I started

being unable to move the toes on my right foot. I told her about this

and she didn't even examine my feet or ankles! She told me to take

more painkillers! I repeated that I was concerned about not being

able to move my toes and it was further impacting how I walk, which

increases pain. She said take more Celebrex AND more painkillers!

Then I showed her a rash that is spreading on my arms and legs. It's

really ugly!!!! She asked if it itches -- it doesn't. So, then she

laughed and said, " So what's the problem? " I repeated that it's ugly

and spreading. She advised me to ignore it but said I could go to a

dermatologist if I wanted to.

Lastly, I told her that I was having a lot of nausea and have been

throwing up in the middle of the night. I bought some over-the-

counter Tagamet, which is helping, and I showed her the box. She

said, " That's fine, just keep taking it. " I had a hair appointment

after my visit and my stylist just finished chemo for cancer. She

told me that there are creams and meds to help with nausea and

vomitting from methotrexate and she was amazed that the doctor didn't

prescribe one of them!

I'm really ticked and don't know what to do -- we're leaving for

vacation in England on Tuesday so I don't even have time to go back

and see the male doctor. He may be more " clinical, " but he addressed

my symptoms and took things seriously.

What can I do about my ankle and toe problems so I'm not a mess in

England? Help!

-Anne