I was not in pain when I started with him but when it returned it was downplayed by him. He gave me minimal doses of prednisone and my symptoms never went away. I feel that he was humoring me and not taking it seriously. He focused solely on the lab results and the movement of my arms and hand swelling. I reported to him that I was not feeling better except for areas that had nothing to do with my condition and he did nothing. When he again referred to my labs being normal I pointed out that they had been done after I had started the medication and while I was taking an anti-inflammatory. He agreed to order a new testing. When the results showed one was elevated I messaged him to inquire if I was going to finally increase my dose? I received a phone message 7 weeks later from someone saying that they wanted to ask me about it. Since it was less than a week before my appointment with him I didn't return the call. I had already read his notes from that visit where he said he felt it was osteoarthritis vs PMR. At the visit he didn't mention the labs until I brought it up and then he said he was sorry about that but it was probably elevated because of my osteoarthritis. I asked why he felt that and he told me he based it on all the diagnostic tests. I asked what tests he was referring to? He showed me an X-ray of my shoulders and neck that I had done by someone else before a cortisone injection. No testing has ever been done specifically for the  SymptomsI  have other than the labs. His notes list the rheumatologists I have seen previously by name with a  remark that I left the last one because it was too far. I feel that it implies that I am doctor hopping when in fact I have had 4 because 1quit Aurora, his partner ( who treated me to remission) retired, I would have had to wait 6 months to be seen by him and I couldn't even sit so I had to go to one that was a 45 minute drive. So I made the appointment and switched to him 6 months later. He has now ordered tapering off the steroid with a plan to see me in 6 months. I should let him know if I have any problems but he doesn't expect me to have any. Since it hasn't helped me yet I don't expect much change from the pain I have been experiencing for months. I read this visit's note and was surprised to see that I have no pain or symptoms at this time but he did order more labs. I have never been without pain and symptoms were only better the one week I was on 10 mg of prednisone ( but not completely gone)and he ordered me to reduce to 7.5 mg for a week and then back to 5 where I have been for months now. I am more than a little concerned about what the future months will be like but I am happy with my primary care doctor and will have to rely on her to help me through this year. She told me last visit that she could refer me to another doctor if it didn't improve. I am looking forward to my next birthday because I can get Medicare and see a rheumatologist outside of Aurora for any future issues. I'm looking for someone who cares about me and wants a solution to my problem versus someone who wants me to report that what they tried was helpful even though it wasn't. Months of inadequate medication has left me with side effects without the benefits to outweigh the risks. 
BRK Rheumatology