Dear Nancy,

You deserve better care than this. Having an autoimmune disease of any type is unpredictable by nature -- requiring constant open communication between you and your caregivers.

You need to find a new rheumatologist, someone with whom you're comfortable. Visit your health insurance's Web site or call and compile of list of other physicians in your area included in your health coverage.

Also, ask around using the CreakyJoints message boards or by finding arthritic patients near you on our Facebook and MySpace pages.

-- M