@betsyhase, reading through your past 2 discussions:
- Is this common? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-this-common/
- Prednisone tapering: How did you do it pain free? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-tapering-4/

It looks like you and your PCP continue to search for propering dosing to manage your symptoms until you can see a specialist. Your pain sounds quite debilitating and definitely diminishing your quality of life. Have you been able to discuss increasing your dose of prednisone, the possible benefits and risks until you get an appointment with the rheumatologist?

@betsyhase
Maybe you should consider calling another rheumatologist. I know it can be difficult to get an appointment with a rheumatologist, but you have already been waiting and suffering more than two months. I was initially diagnosed with a pinched nerve last October but I was lucky to have doctors with solid contacts and have been seen by specialists for pain management, neurosurgery, rheumatology and hematology/oncology within 2-3 weeks for each referral. Two things to consider...your hand symptoms don't sound like classic PMR and you are on a low dose of prednisone. You may have seronegative RA or something else. You don't mention your symptoms or blood work. I was started on 15mg prednisone in February because my initial blood work came back with inflammation markers. After the rest of my blood work came back I was increased to 25mg. Because my symptoms reacted to the prednisone and there were no indications of other autoimmune disorders, I was diagnosed with PMR. I'm still being tested for a blood disorder. I know that if I hadn't been seen by a rheumatologist in a timely manner, I would have been in the ER looking for answers. Waiting in constant pain was not an option I was willing to consider.