For the last 6 months I've been seeing a rheumatologist, my symptoms are joint pain (very little swelling), fatigue, low vitamin D, red dry eyes, some nausea and weight loss. Bloodwork comes back negative for RA also. In the beginning he prescribed a tapering dose of prednisone, as a diagnostic tool. It only gave relief for a few days so we tried again- same result. He concluded that between the lack of swelling and lack of response to the prednisone I didn't have RA. He started throwing pain meds at me saying he had no idea what I had. The last appointment he said he still doesn't know what I have and said if something gets worse call for an appt but otherwise my next appt is in Feb.

This is not acceptable to me. From appointment to appointment he doesn't remember previous treatments and forgets what we've already discussed. Before this started I was a very healthy person, I exercise at least 3 times a week, don't drink, smoke or use drugs. I've never in my life had health problems and now with four children I can't just accept being sick with no diagnosis or any answers to my questions.

So after this long rant my question is- how do I handle getting a second opinion? I live in the Northeast, between Philly and NYC, is this a big enough deal I should find a specialist at a major hospital in one of those cities instead of seeing a local rheumy? Thanks for your advice.