I've complained a fair bit here about my rheumy, so it's only fair I should also post when he deserves praise. After the difficulties I had last week in getting my results, he rang me today and discussed treatment options. We agreed on the importance of finding a way of increasing my steroid dose and he acknowledged my difficulties with increasing steroid dosing. When I said I'd been trying to get round it by combining pred and hydrocortisone, he said, "Only you would try that!"
Anyway, he suggested I go onto the ward tomorrow to try some methyl prednisolone "loading", with a view to adding azathioprine in due course.
I am still scared about how this may go, but my anxiety level is lower now that he has shown that he's listening to my concerns and willing to adapt his approach accordingly. Isn't that what we all need? Well done, Dr X!
PS the other lesson - as if we didn't already know it - it's the squeaky wheel that gets oiled!