phyllis
Maybe you need to go to a new Doctor associated with one of the teaching hospitals in your area. My story:I have had severe pain for some years now and no Doctor took it seriously, because it would go away after a day or two. I started with a orthopaedic Doc who was willing to shoot me with cortizone when I got the pain in shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow etc. Then they gave me Vioxx and the Doc did not follow my blood count. After almost bleeding to death and two blood transfusions, my NEW Rehumi said this may be "gout". Still get pain but it seems to go away with the Colchine. Also I have a brother w/hepC and he is off the liver transplant list now that he has improved his nutrition, and no alcohol. Get Well soon!