Thank you @sciograndma @marideth401 and @kariulrich I have not lost any weight, however, I have been the same weight since I was 15 which is strange to me. I have always had stomach issues from epigastric to gastroparesis (never diagnosed but suggested by the doctor that did my endoscopy) as well as irregular menstrual issues. I have a history of headaches and migraines, depression and anxiety, and something strange I've noticed since reading case studies is the fact that I burp what seems like constantly, especially while and after eating. I also have a history of back pain and fatigue, but all of these symptoms are so vague and complained about by so many people that I've always dismissed them.

I am seeing my new family doctor as a routine checkup (different doc than the several that followed my symptoms in 2017). I have gone through many xrays, ct scans, I had an endoscopy done (showing a small hiatal hernia), that test where I swallowed nasty stuff and they watched it go through my system (showed severe acid reflux), and loads of bloodwork done. So much of my testing was done in an ER setting because the pain would always bring me in and I didn't have family doc until this year. I am scared of getting more workup done, both that they will find something really wrong like MALS, or that they will continue to tell me that I am fine. My adopted family thinks I am a hypochondriac, which has been really hard for me because I feel as though I can't talk about my symptoms to them but I don't want to go through all of this testing alone.

How do I bring this up to my doctor without him thinking I am crazy or have him convinced that it's just my gerd or IBD? He has been super great since I've been seeing him, but we haven't gone into detail about my stomach because we've been working on anxiety/depression stuff. I have also looked at the list of surgeons that have been recommended by patients. Only one is from Iowa! That scares me also. Am I able to ask for a ct scan of this artery? How do I know that they are educated enough to notice if it isn't normal?

I appreciate all of your support. I feel alone here at college with all of this discomfort.

I had my tests done at a hospital in Toledo. Twenty pounds is a significant amount to lose in such a short time! What is the hold up with the referral to Cleveland Clinic? How much weight do you have to lose before they do something? I’m not a pushy person by nature but, when it comes to my health, I’ve had to learn to be. By the way, Cleveland Clinic has a service where they will review your case for a fee of about $550. You have to get your records, tests, imaging studies, etc., to them and they give you their opinion. Be persistent and don’t give up.