Sometimes, they think we only had à really bad flare and when we are doing better they want to test if it we are doing better cause of the medication or if we are back to are usual state.
You have to keep un mind that the medication you take for one illness, is probably gonna give you another one.
I for exemple, have now to take meds for digestion, because of all m'y other meds.
So m'y daily cocktail is only growing on number.
But m'y doctorale ask me to try and slowly stop it wich i did, but after à week i was bent in two and couldnt bare wearing something else than pj's.
You have to give it a try , with the safety of having à backup plan.
Big hugs and good luck sweet heart.

All the meds that I have been prescrbed have had long term side effects which include, renal failure fever.itching until I bleed,I was totaly total confused,could not hold a conversation,I was a zombie and was still in a lot of pain, unbearable pain. It was not an easy decision but I am now drug free and alive. I will live with the pain

Has your rheumatologist said why they want you to?

My doctor as already starting weaning me off of my oxy, she says there is a study that proves that pain meds increase pain not relieve it. I told her I disagree with her, not everyone is the same. I used to take 3 oxy's a day now I am down to 2, when I get back from vacation in January she wants to relive the weaning me off completely. I wanted her to show me the study she said she would have it next time I go. I want it now. I want to see how all of these people can go off their meds and say I have less pain. I don't believe it, will never believe it.

Were you having side effects to anything? Or possible mood changes since meds started? My mood really changed and I became overly anxious about every little thing but I didn't see this happening. My spouse and doctors saw it and we had a conference call with my 2 docs and my spouse and I. Because we were not sure what caused this, my doc reduced my cymbalta from 120 to 60 (titrated), stopped my EffexoeXR 37.5mg and reduced my sleeping pill from 15mg to 10mg. 'A drug holiday' to figure out what drug was culprit and a different antidepressant/ anti-anxiety pill once I'm off cymbalta all together. Add back other meds slowly 1 at a time watch for side effects.
We do this in hospitals etc especially when people on ++medication and confused etc. Just an idea. I know I'm not looking forward to reducing cymbalta ( reduced to 60 mg today) because it works for pain. Gentle hugs