I learned by having to find contractors and said "why NOT doctors, also?"

Good grief! These doctors are in a rut! I imagine what their job is like. Everyone who comes in is miserable and complaining about pain. I think they must be hearing it so often that they tune it out unless it's a different story.
Like reading to your kids every night except it's only the 3 bears!
Yes, many doctors are hung up on lab report information only. Why? Bc we have an opiate epidemic where everyone is complaining of pain to get some kind of pills.

Where I am discouraged- people who actually have RA have visible proof of swelling joints. If you dont have swelling or hot joints or visible damage, then they refer to blood tests only. If you dont have any RA markers, or any visible proof, how can they justify treating you with the nasty RA drugs and prescription pain meds or NSAIDs? BC all of the ppl, who come into their office, know all of the symptoms of RA and what to say. They are on this site and many others. They study up from really suffering patients.

Some of your specialists have been audited and have gotten into trouble concerning this. It's also why some of them can no longer prescribe narcotic meds.

The abuse hurts legitimately suffering people like us. So when doctors seem to argue or not care, it's because they are difficult to convince on account of false scammers who are only after the drugs for whatever reason.

They actually drug test sick people to make sure they are taking their meds and not selling them.

I've wanted to speak on this topic for a long time.

That is why doctors are difficult and why medical care is so high and why we have to jump through hoops with aching joints and everything else.

Thank you for letting me vent. And have patience. Be calm and jump through the hoops best you can.

Diane, that is why we can NOT move away. Just to sell our big house would cost us $60K just to move to something smaller here in NJ. We were all set to go to NC. Broke my heart. Had to take a reverse mtge with our wealthy daughter just to survive this economy. Thankfully, she is an only child, loves us a LOT and has a great paying job and a wonderful, understanding husband. "Everything happens for a reason" or so they say. Get on Yelp or , Healthgrades and look for RA doctors in your area. Also, get on hospital websites and look there. .

Unfortunately, that has been my experience as well. I finally found one who will listen to me instead of only going by the tests. She lives three hours away but it’s totally worth it! Best wishes and be well.

Good morning! I hear you and understand, in my journey with RA although very rough in the first 20 or so years you can successfully cope. In my opinion the more knowledge you have the better you are. Research yourself and groups like this are a great start. Whatever you’re going through look for that in resources. Doctors come and go until you find one that will listen. Being able to understand this disease yourself helps you know the questions to ask also it takes some of the worry out knowing your not alone. Everyone reacts differently but the main steps are Love yourself
compassion for yourself and patience with yourself . Taking charge of myself is a priority. We all do the best we can.