I am on a similar journey for answers. My journey started in 2011 (in my early 40s) with new lower back/hip/buttock pain going down my right leg. Symptoms worsened and the list expanded substantially in 2017. Many doctors, tests, appointments, expensive bills, etc. later, I have been diagnosed with congenital spinal stenosis (cervical and lumbar), degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, upper/lower radiculopathies, cervical spondylitic myelopathy (spinal cord compressed which was affecting my bladder, gait, handwriting, swallowing, speaking, and arm/hand/leg strength, etc.), small fiber neuropathy (confirmed via punch biopsy thigh/calf), hearing loss left ear, iron deficiency, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, depression, etc. After getting diagnosed and treated for all of these things, I still have residual symptoms I need to get answers for (dizziness, balance issues, headaches, extreme fatigue, weakness, difficulty with concentration/focus/thinking, confused, apathetic, and have challenges with self care/daily responsibilities, etc.). I am now in my 50s, a single parent and sole provider of a teenager, no family support system, and unemployed (lost job late 2023 and having a hard time doing a job search when my health is declining), etc. Even though I have 3 degrees and worked over 30 years in mentally demanding jobs, I am feeling like my brain and cognitive abilities are declining. My next step is to get a new neurologist to get a brain MRI, updated EMGs, nerve conduction testing, etc. to check for MS and white matter disease/deterioration. I have recently read that cervical spondylitic myelopathy may affect the brain in addition to the spinal cord communications throughout the body. It definitely seems like my brain/spinal cord is challenged when communicating signals to my body (speed of messaging and senses/motor movements delayed or confused). I also have not had my orthopedic doctor check my thoracic spine for any myelopathy so will need to request this at my next appointment. Everyone, hang in there! This is complicated stuff and we need to really educate and advocate for ourselves!