I'm new to this board. I'm looking for a really good Rheumatologist in the Houston area, preferrably in the NW, west, SW areas, the less travel the better. If I can avoid the med.center, the better I like it. Too expensive to park and too hard to drive in and out of.

Here's my problem. Over 25 years ago I was dx'd with RA. Every time the insurance changed, I had to change doctors and they always re-did the tests. The tests came back positive for RA several years running.

Then one day the test came back negative. That doctor said that I didn't have RA if the test was negative, but an arthritic condition. He kept me on NSAIDs.

I continued to take NSAIDs until about 2 years ago when I suddenly had a terrible reaction and developed blisters and sores in my mouth. My current doctor who is treating me for a back injury took me off all NSAIDs and said I would never be able to take them again, that I'm allergic.

Since coming off the NSAIDs, I developed generalized joint pain and fatigue. I was tested for all kinds of things, including RA and MS and was finally given a dx of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, however, I also have degenerative disk and joint disease throughout my spine, arthritic hips and knees, carpal tunnel, pain in both elbows and shoulders, both hands and feet and my hands are beginning to look very disformed. The fingers are no longer shaped properly. They are twisting at odd angles and not tappered and the joints are large and knotty.

I only recently heard about a condition called non-seriologic RA and I'm wondering if this could be my problem. If anyone knows anything about this non-seriologic RA and how the doctors determine one has it or about a good doctor in Houston, I would very much appreciate the information.

Thank you.

Houston