Autoimmune? Or is it all in my head?

Meloxicam helps me a lot... Its just a strong anti inflammatory

Thank you EVERYONE for your responses and supports. I have kept diaries... I do have flares. I am very photosensitive even a few minutes in the sun i get a rash. I have a butterfly rash that comes and goes. Abdominal pain, roaming joint pain between my finger knuckles, toe knuckles, knees, wrist and shoulders. I was recently diagnosed with "mild" carpal tunnel so all my hand wrist snd finger pain the doctors blame on that. I have weird not itchy rashes all over my body. I have granuloma annulare (a non itchy ring worm looking rash)on my feet and legs... Its horribke looking i have to where long socks to cover it. I know there is something wrong i just need my blood to cooperate.

@hchristopher, those are some very strong Lupus and inflammatory arthritis symptoms (sun sensitivity, butterfly rash, flares, joint pains) I don't know enough to wager a guess, but I do hope you can be seen by a Rheumatologist at a major center who knows which tests to run for a differential diagnosis. You may have more that one systemic issue going on; hard to know if all of your symptoms emanate from ONE source. While you might not have all the markers for a particular diagnosis, a specialist would know how to help treat your symptoms, and set up a plan to "observe" for future markers, and perhaps help you to reduce the number and intensity of flares. I do hope reactive arthritis due to infection has been ruled out. I pray you will get some answers and a treatment plan that makes you not only feel better, but also more in control of your wellbeing.

@oldkarl, yes you have hit the nail on the head. amyloidosis sounds like what i may have. have looked up the symptoms even up to the glaucoma, seems i fit the description. now, what specialist doctor does one see to ascertain if this is what i may have? appreciate any kind of help. thank you, peach414144

@hchristopher, do any of your meds mention autoimmune side effects or "antibodies" in the associated literature? (You may need to go online and look at the longer documentation that manufacturer's author instead of the brief handout that usually comes with the prescriptions.)

I experienced drug induced lupus for an entire year, and it turned out to be entirely-caused by one of the medications that I was taking. In the longer literature I found online, it included a paragraph about developing antibodies to the drug. The literature didn't overly state drug-induced lupus or autoimmune, it only said the word antibodies. Luckily, my pharmacist had a major clue, and he helped me figure it out because I had no experience with autoimmune conditions prior to this happening to me.

That is one of the scarier things I've heard on this site!

Hi Christopher, I spent from 1991 to 1994 going from Dr. to Dr. and being told my bloodwork looked great and maybe I should see a psychiatrist (which I did for all the good that did me). Sometimes the Doctors just don't know, and it is hard for them to admit that. You know how you feel. I would suggest that you gather as much data on yourself as you can. Make food logs, chart your sleep-Sleep is key! I finally found a Rhuemy who diagnosed Fibro, but that is a deep bucket. I find most relief from alternative modalities-Yoga, Acupuncture, reflexology, and I try every snake oil that sounds promising. They are mostly benign. But I cannot sleep without meds. Regards, Robbinr

@hchristopher I don't have all the tools, so I cannot offer a diagnosis. But I can suggest a few things. First, have a look at my story free (not selling anything) at https://bit.Ly/1w7j4j8 titled Amyloidosis Version 12. Most folks prefer the pdf version. The reason for you to read this is to make sure you understand your diagnosis(dX) is a journey, not a moment in life. Also, you are displaying some of the symptoms of various types of Amyloidosis, including ATTR, LiteChain, Multiple Myeloma, and a few others. Find a hematologist trained in Amyloidosis. That has been the most difficult portion for me. Most of them cannot even spell the word. There are major clinics and labs in most states who can and will handle this. Start by watching some of Martha Grogan's videos from Mayo-Minnesota. But be prepared for a long journey. Mine has taken me several decades. It really is an exciting life. One wonders what folks who have no such journey to make can do to keep the fun in life. And if you become certain you do not have one disorder, look at another. Most doctors will appreciate your efforts to identify your own disorder. That makes it more efficient to find the proper crutch. And keep your mind at peace with this. It is not a matter of failure, but a celebration of staying alive this long.