Possible autoimmune disease, but no appointment

Try an online clinic. There are ones for eds, fibromyalgia, mecfs ... May be the easiest way to get started because the good ones are staffed by specialists and take insurance. Try the site RTHM, for ex, which is an online doctor for long COVID and me-cfs (this site won't let me type the URL, but typing their name into Google along with com will pull them up)

Not sure where you live - I live in central Florida and there’s only one or two Rheumatologists in my area. I too needed to see one but it took some doing to get the appointment. It must not be a very popular field for young doctors. You would think with Florida senior population - they’d be flocking to Florida. Good luck with your search.

There is a shortage of Rheumatologists in a lot of areas. A lot of them are not accepting Medicare
and if you have Fibromyalgia, they will not see you and send you back to your Primary Doctor.

Personally, I would try and find someone that deals with chronic pain such as a spine specialist. Call and ask
if they deal with autoimmune issues. Spine specialists tend to treat other pain and issues such as arthritis.

Praying you find the right fit. I empathize with you. Blessings....

@tlro Can you tell us a little about the symptoms that have led you to suspect an autoimmune disease? Is there a specific one you and/or your rheumatologist suspect?

@tlro. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I’m so glad you found this site. Members here take great with their comments to new mentors. They’re helping you learn so 1 day you can help them teach newer members! You will find a doctor eventually. It can take multiple doctors and multiple years before a diagnosis is made. Darn!
BTW, how did you find Mayo Clinic Connect?

Before you do anything get all your papers together. I would make a copy of the papers as well..
I don’t know where you live if you’re in the United States or another country.
Have you talked to your family doctor to see what they think?
You could have an underlying problem that is causing you a lot of issues. Don’t give up you will find the right Doctor Who will be able to help you
I wish you the very best and the coming year

What blood tests have you had? RA is diagnosed with blood tests that are very conclusive and maybe you can get a list of them (there are 3) and pay to have them done at a self pay clinic. My tests clearly show RA. Not everyone's do but symptoms can be so impressive that you just know it's RA. Good luck to you.

@sueinmn I cant get into an appointment with a rheumatologist. I keep getting referrals and they keep turning me away.
Family Hx: variety of auto immune diseases on both sides of the family.
Head: CPTSD, depression and anxiety, brain fog, ADD
Bones: Bone loss in bottom jaw, foot and hand diformity. dislocations started in 2016, lots of pain in thumbs started a couple months ago
Stomach: Gut health, inflammaton and food sensisvities, SIBO
Ligaments: lax ligaments, but not as much as when i was little
Heart: slight abnormality of heart exam but said it was "fine"
many surgies, multiple locations, that have never held
Low Thyroid. t3 & t4
fingers go numb super quick in the cold
night sweats and sleep issues
blaader hyperactivity
Fatigue

@phxbarb i have had an RA blood test. it was negative, but my othopedics think that i have sero-negative? RA. and apparently this doesnt show up on blood work?

@minnesota10 I think I have an underlying connective tissue disease. but this is only by my own research.