I feel like you, with the bipolar things. I was diganosies bipolar, with sever PTSD, anxiety and depression. Never asked about my pain, even though the droctors know i have had spinal surgery and i am fused togeter all but 8 virtabratez in my neck and 4 in my lower back and 3 of them are broke. I had a 60 degree curve in my back.
After reading your post i am going to demand to be sent to a Rneumatologist.
Hope you get your anwsers. I am on my way to getting my anwers thanks to you

You may need a different rheumatologist. Communication is SO important!

Have you tried a pain stimulator?they really help most of the people that have it.Im having Trial Pain Pump in 15 days.Its my last resort,have had 3 yrs of shots,failed back fusion,pain stimulation but had it remived,because a wire got loose and was burning me.Recentky a Epidural shot that didnt help .my low back has bad nerve damage from back fusion Last week at the pain clinic ,I was told they cant help the nerve damage. So pain pump surgery is my last hope for pain relief. But look into the Pain Stimulation Device if you haven't

I hear you. Same boat husband thinks I'm crazy. Because if I hurt so bad why am I am doing things I shouldn't. Why because I don't want the chair. And sex forget it to painful. I'll probably be in chair by end of year if not next. But the drs just throw stuff at it. And you get oxys. Hell wish I could. I can't get decent pain meds. Plus haven't been able to see Dr in about 8 months. So I deal with the pain. What I find funny is when I'm really hurting all of a sudden my husband's back is killing him. 🤣.he don't know pain only those us who have this do. If you don't have you don't understand it.
It will literally take me not being able to walk for him to get it, then he will say why didn't you say something, we tell but no one gets it.

1996 I go to a local pain clinic,doctor orders an EMG to test for nerve damage.2 weeks later I went to this same doc for the EMG.he sticks me with 26 needles and lights me up.Gets done and leaves the room.An hour later returns with test results.Well sir it's nothing that will put you in a wheelchair anytime soon.He turns and walks out,never to be seen by me again.No explanation, no imfo,just walks out.So I fivured he was a hack and I never went back..fast forward:2015 this very same doctor and his clinic gets busted by the Feds for excessive opioids being prescribed. Tobacco &firearm,FBI,FOOD AND DRUG,CITY POLICE,STATE POLICE ,swarmed the building and shut it down on the spot.They got w Van's full of records and took his license from him.From the records they get my information and show up at me front door in 2017.Wanting to know every detail about my visit.FBI guy said I realized he was a bad doc and didnt go back.But if I would have went back for a second visit,he would have tried to sell some cheap opioids to me.It was scary and funny at the same time