@erikas, @ske22 I am in Canada and our healthcare system is different. One can only be referred to a specialist at the discretion of one’s primary care physician. One time I was referred to a really arrogant specialist with whom I felt as frustrated as you do with your rheumatologist so I went back to my physician and asked her to get me another specialist who had a better bedside manner and she did. Perhaps you could ask your primary physician to refer you to another rheumatologist who is more communicative? I always ask for someone who makes eye contact when speaking to me, too.