second opinion from a new Rheumy?... need advice..lots of pain

I have been seeing my Rheumy for about 1 year and he swears I have Fibro. However, I have back paid, stiffness in the morning etc. Well it went away some while I was on the muscle relaxers he gave me but I was also on Entocort (not supposed to help with joints but maybe it did) cause now I am full pain, my hands my back are worse. it never went away just got a little better.  (I am off all steroids now and when I was on pred I felt wonderful, my joints stopped hurting completely) I feel like an older person. I am 32 years old. I tool Tylenol arthritis this morning and I am still hurting. Getting up out of chairs, stairs are all difficult. I can't even walk very fast. Yesterday I broke down and cried and my husband said to see another Doctor and I am not sure what to do. I saw my Rheumy because he was in the same practice as my GI. any ideas how to pick a rehumy for a second opinion? Should I continue with my current one? He took Xrays when I was thinking I could have AS. I looked into the symptoms and I fit some. the xray was of my back and he said I have some arthritis. sorry for the whinny rant... I am so hurting and I knew someone here would get it. this ruined my whole weekend.... Karen

thanks Nanners, you are always a big help!!! Karen

I always feel a GOOD doctor should welcome a second opinion. Do you know anyone who is a nurse in the hospital you go to who you could ask for a reference? That might be a good place to start, or ask friends and neighbors. Once you start talking, soon enough you find someone who knows of someone who has a similar problem and sees a Rheumy and then you have a some one to ask about their doctor, or who they have seen in the past.

The main thing is, you have given it a year, and you aren't feeling any better, its time to start looking for another option, or at least confirmation that you are on the right road.

Karendee,
Im sorry you are suffering so. I would want a second opinion too. Like Zanne said, ask a nurse, medical staff if they know of any other Rheumy in your area (they can be a wealth of infromation).
My Rheumy mentioned Fibro to me and for months thats what I thought I had, until he did scans and xrays that confirmed AS.
Good luck and get to feeling more 'normal' soon.
Jo

thanks everyone!!! Keeper, I will try the vitamins.... can't hurt Zanne, I will ask for recommendations on second opinions...good idea bowlies, My gut is the best it has ever been, I am on Humira now and it is like a wonder drug for me. SydneyJo, I am afraid of AS too, All I got was X rays and Keah who posts here and has AS said once that X rays might not bee good enough that a scan might be needed (not an exact quote). My Rheumy won't do any scans. Chasity102304, I just don't think it is fibro, my neck and back hurt so bad. I can't squeeze anything with my hands. any exercise puts my joints in agony but my muscles feel fine. I am looking for a new Doctor this week. I plan to make an apt as soon as possible. I know CD can cause joint pain but when Tylenol does not help it I need something. I don't care if a new doc gives my hypnosis to not feel the pain. lol I also have cracking nosies when I move my neck that I can hear, sounds like bones grinding. It feels that way in my back too... can't hear it though It just seems if Prednisone removed my joint pain 100% then how can it be fibro? I did not think Steroids helped fibro but I could be wrong. thanks for all your support. I knew all of you would understand!!! Karen

Thats great Karen, hopefully this Rheumy will look into more testing and a proper diagnosis for you. Keep us posted and take care of yourself. Jo