Thanks for your comments. I did want to reply though and say that we are our own best health advocate. We know our bodies the best. For those of us who have had weird things going on in our bodies for years -- we have learned to take lots of notes and keep health journals. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that I have a physician who is not intimidated by a knowledgeable patient. Several years ago I suffered a really strange rash. I was concerned that it was leukocytoclastic vasculitis. My physician (family practice) upon seeing it was puzzled and called in the Internal Medicine doc to consult with. Near the end of the visit, I hesitantly and haltingly asked if she would consider whether it was the above-mentioned problem. She promptly responded with - "that is what I'm wondering about". Yay -- my research was accurate and she and I were on the same page. Pity the doctor who can't take a suggestion from a patient. I know it has to be approached carefully. Yet if you have a rather atypical set of symptoms or not the run of the mill kind of a problem ---- it is quite likely that your family practice physician may not know what the problem is. Last month I was diagnosed (a collaborative effort between my physician and myself) with Ehlers-Danlos, hypermobile type (hEDS). She told me that she doesn't have time to be an ESD specialist but said "I will continue to learn through you". I so appreciate her willingness to learn and not have to be controlling or either threatened in any way.