Fired By My Rheumie!

I have been "let go" by my Rheumatologist. This is very new to me. I've never been "fired" by a doctor before! It's also frustrating as all get out!

I was diagnosed with RA on 4/24/09. My Rheumie put me on Methotrexate 2.5mg 6 pills per week. I started feeling better. But I still had pain.  Rheumie then upped my Methotrexate from 6 pills per week to 8. I was still feeling much better than I had, but still had pain. Rheumie then decided to throw in some Prednisone. I felt better, but still had pain (are you seeing a pattern yet? LOL). I stopped the Prednisone because it's not good to take it for long periods of time- and it makes me extremely irritable!

Because of the Methotrexate, Rheumie has been checking my blood every couple of months. Everything is good there, but my "Inflammation Marker" is normal.  When Rheumie checks my fingers, toes and other joints, she can't "feel" any swelling. Rheumie says that if inflammation marker is normal, and she can't feel any swelling in my joints, it can't be my RA causing my pain. But I have pain.  So Rheumie says it must be Fibromyalgia. Rheumie prescribed Lyrica.  I saw no improvement in my pain on Lyrica. The only things I did experience were being higher than a kite and eating everything in sight! I called Rheumie to report there was no change in pain while on Lyrica. Rheumie called me back and said, "I'm perplexed. I don't feel that your pain is coming from your RA. I think you should see another doctor." I was flabbergasted! I've never been ditched by a doctor before, ever! So now I'm back to almost square one- Rheumie shopping. Once I find one it will be months before I can get an appointment. Months! I'll run out of Methotrexate before that. And I'll still have pain. On good days, my pain level is a 2 or 3 out of 10. On bad days, like last Friday, it's an 8/10! That day I went to the ER.  I explained to the ER doctor about my inflammation marker being normal but still having joint pain. His first question was, "Are you seeing a Rheumatologist?" I said I was. His next question was, "Why isn't your Rheumatologist treating your pain?" That, I did not have an answer for.

I'd like to ask everyone's opinion- do you think it's possible to have a normal inflammation marker but still have joint pain? Is there anyone else on this board in the same situation?

I'm feeling extremely frustrated and angry right now. I'm not a drug addict. I don't need pain meds to get off- I need them so I can function!

I'm looking foward to hearing from all of you concerning your situation. Any advice is appreciated!