Multiple overlapping symptoms for years - autoimmune, dysautonomia
I’m 32 and have been dealing with a wide range of chronic health issues for many years. It’s been difficult to get clear answers or understand if there’s a connection between all of my conditions and symptoms.
Symptoms/diagnoses include:
Chronic fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain, insomnia, hypersomnia
Joint pain and instability, especially in shoulders (MDI)
Dysautonomia: POTS, NCS, IST
Scoliosis
RLS/PLMD
Chronic allergies, asthma
Anxiety, OCD, depression
GI issues
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia
MTHFR mutation
Testing & evaluations:
I’ve had extensive workups, including cardiac testing for POTS/NCS/IST (exercise stress test negative, tilt table very positive), labs from multiple specialists, sleep studies (RLS/PLMD/hypersomnia), and autoimmune testing.
Medications & therapies:
I’ve tried multiple medications, including antidepressants and stimulants, but many either didn’t help or caused side effects. I’ve also pursued integrative approaches: functional medicine, weekly massage therapy, monthly nutritionist appointments, physical therapy, weekly sessions with a personal trainer focusing on stability, stretching, and strengthening, and weekly mental health therapy.
My health story feels fragmented as specialists often see parts of my symptoms but not my body as a whole. Local neurologists have declined to see me because of the complexity, recommending a larger research medical center. Managing these symptoms affects me physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially, especially with limited insurance coverage.
Timeline:
2007 – Diagnosed with S-curve scoliosis (childhood asthma and allergies prior)
2012 – Started experiencing fatigue and heart palpitations; had many unexplained symptoms as a child
2012–2019 – Advocated for evaluation, but tests were often normal; symptoms attributed to anxiety/depression and worsened over time
2016 – Diagnosed with multidirectional instability (MDI) in shoulders
2020 – New PCP, requested specialist referrals, diagnosed with Hashimoto’s
2021–present – Received other diagnoses listed above
Some test results:
TSH 48, Thyroid antibodies >600 (2020)
ANA Positive, Speckled Pattern 1:1280; specific ANA autoimmune tests negative
Folate RBC 695, Folate serum 2.3
Homocysteine 14 (2024), 9.1 (Aug 2025)
Vitamin B12 471 (went down after 4 weeks B12 supplementation, no methylated form available)
Iron panel: TIBC 434, UIBC 378, Iron 56, Iron saturation 13, Ferritin 46
Vitamin D 39.4, Magnesium 2.3
Sed Rate 36, CRP 11
I’m looking for insights or advice from anyone who’s experienced multiple overlapping symptoms without a clear diagnosis, particularly in cases of suspected autoimmune, dysautonomia, or connective tissue disorders. How have you navigated testing, specialists, and treatment when your case is multi-system and complex? Any advice for managing day-to-day life while continuing to advocate for care would be greatly appreciated.
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It took me about 6+ years to get some real help. I have a PCP who was good to run tests, he actually has psoriatic arthritis himself so he knows the drill. He referred me to a rheumatologist that has been excellent, he's run several tests but relies heavily on clinical symptoms and has the approach that you treat the symptoms and not rely solely on testing. I am starting on hydroxychloroquine so he can observe the response. Right now they are thinking connective tissue disease, Sjogren's and inflammatory arthritis. Finding a rheumatologist who is not tied to responding only to positive tests is a game changer. My rheumatologist says that 40 to 60% of people with Sjogren's won't test positive as an example. He did give me the early profile test for it and that came back with a positive. This allows the doctor to begin treatment before a lot of damage is done, which is when the classic Sjogren's test will finally show positive. I encourage you to find a doctor that will take this reasonable approach.