I agree with you about fecklessness of rheumatologist. I haven't seen mine in over a year. My son forced me to start walking around Christmas, a little over 3 months ago. I go faithfully now 3 to 5 times a week, and I'm feeling far less arthritis pain--even helps with the hand pain. I did have a flare up last week when a cold snap was heading my way. I only had to take one diclofenac to "weather" that. I was back on the trail today. I don't think I'll ever go to the rheumatologist again. My PMD will write refills on the diclofenac. At the rate I'm going, I won't even need 30 pills a year. I hope excercise proves to be as helpful for you as it is for me