I'm sorry you are going through all this. As far as isn't this a rheumatologist's job, frankly, I'm not sure exactly what a rheumatologist's job is. I've had the blind faith in rheumatologist experience too and am now far more aware. When in doubt, I head to my PCP who deals with problems effectively.

I have a similar issue going on. I had to go off methotrexate for 2 months because of mohs skin cancer surgery and a subsequent upper respiratory infection/turned into acute bronchitis and a UTI. Of course I started to flare on and off and took ibuprofen for inflammation and pain. All my blood tests were normal BEFORE going off methotrexate. After contacting my rhuemtologist with detailed messages about my issues and asking to come in sooner than 4 months appointment I was told no appointments available and given a methylprednisolone 5 day pak. Finally back on methotrexate in mid Feb. Go in for regular rhuemtologist appointment April 22 where I was given a shot of prednisone .when my blood test results came back I was told to see my PCP doc because creatine levels were off. My SED rate was up to 58 but rhuemtologist never mentioned it ( I assumed the shot would help. Saw PCP week later and he ordered renal ultrasound which showed a structurally sound kidney. Fast forward to May 22. PCP redid blood test and sed rate was now 100 and creatine and bun rates very bad. He thinks I'm in stage 4 renal disease! He immediately took me off the NONWORKING methotrexate suspecting it may have toxicity in my kidneys and put me on 60 mg prednisone. He's calling rhuemtologist tomorrow and getting me into a renal specialist this week. I'm scared out of my wits. I have been sick on and off for 5 months with flares, non stop coughing bronchitis, headaches and fatigue and yet the rhuemtologist never took me seriously. I'm so dumb for having blind faith in her thinking that she was watching me when in reality I'm just another 4 times a year patient. Now my kidneys may be screwed up bad. Thanks for listening. I hope you are better. I think methotrexate toxicity and lack of good patient care is a huge problem! I feel like a ping pong ball being bounced around and honestly think the rhuemtologist should on top of this...isn't that their JOB.

take care. Mary

Good for you! Let me know what you find out. Have a good weekend! ❤️🙏

I think that you need to see a KIDNEY specialist be it a Urologist or hypertensive doctor. My friend is 93 ( has untreated RA) and we are working w/ doctors since her ankles and feet SWELL big time. From my VAST experience Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) know a little bit about everything and NOT a whole heck of a lot about ANYTHING!