Feeling happy

Long story short, I have been suffering with chronic joint pain, muscle pain and other symptoms for over 3 years. A low positive Ana got me over to a rheumatologist. After all other labs being normal he said it was inflammatory since I responded well to prednisone. After 3 years he still could not diagnosis exactly what is wrong but the RA drugs he tried brought my pain down to a 6 from 10. I sought out a second opinion. More labs - all normal. She told me to stop the RA meds (arava) and I have fibro. She increased amitriptyline that I was on for migraine prevention. A few weeks after stopping the arava my pain was a 10+. She was still insisting it's only fibro but keeps telling me she doesn't treat fibro patients. 3rd rheumatologist (the happy part). First appointment he agreed with the fibro or chronic pain based on the labs. I did start up the arava since the pain was so bad. He did more labs and ordered a vecttra blood test. Everything was normal except C50 was low. He then sat down and listened to me. He said if the arava was giving me some relief, then it very well could be inflammatory. I also have bumps on both thumbs that he thinks could be ra nodules. Now I am doing a 2 week prednisone and keeping all meds the same for now so he can see if there is still a chronic pain issue as well. Not that I am happy he thinks RA. I am excited that he listened and is trying to figure everything out. Thanks for reading this long post. I just wanted to share something positive since we all struggle so much.

Thanks. I just wish everyone here gets lucky with a good doctor. It's a shame that more doctors aren't good listeners. The rheumy I went to for my second opinion, they said to me "If you are getting some relief from your first doctor, why are you here? Seriously. I wanted to walk out.

hi, just found me a good doc, been thru the mill with old school, nothing wrong with you school it is all diabetes and you are on too much medication already and leave me alone dr. one who listens is gold and must be cherished!!! i have only posted here a couple of times, i like good stuff, thus my reply. my bloods for rheumy were slightly elevated, i am riddled with osteo and just dx with peripheral neuropathy. i was thinking fibro. keep well. ht.