@kizu Oh my goodness, I could just hug you. So many of us who have commented have been through it with doctors ourselves, and I will say this, as it’s my own experience: rheumatologists seem to be the WORST specialty when it comes to communicating effectively.

It is NOT you. It’s them. And you may find you’ll have to visit and drop one or more two doctors in the coming months. So many people who have been to a rheumatologist experience this. So my advice to you is to make sure you are taking full and complete care of yourself. Take many deep breaths. Get good sleep. And above all, put yourself FIRST.

You will have to be very direct with this specialty. There’s no other way around that. Practice being assertive before you go in.

It’s a lot. I know, believe me.

If you can get to Pittsburgh (such an amazing city), do.

Call your insurance company too, and tell them the issues you’re having. It’s their job to help you find doctors in-network to help you. Lord knows we pay them enough; put them to work for you.

Hang in there. This is tough, but you reached out here, and that was a big first step.

I am pulling for you from South Florida! 🌴