So the past two days I’ve had this terrible cough and wheeze. My GP had prescribed me Symbicort because my advair had run out. Thanks to our wonderful healthcare system (Medicaid), the insurance denied it and requested a pre-authorization. My GP sat on it. I’ve now gone 9 days without asthma medicine. I’ve been using my puffer 5-6 times a day.

My upper back pain isn’t going away either. Neither is the weakness and numbness. I actually can feel my chest pounding quite a bit. Blood pressure is fine. Heart rate fine. Been emailing those results in, per the GP request.

My legs, are swollen. Ankles too, and they... hurt. On a 10 scale maybe a 7 or 8. And it’s both ankles. I talked to my best friend who told me I’m flipping out and I just need to “suck it up” and go workout. He gave me this long pep talk. So I heeded his advice.

I live on the third floor of an apartment, and walked down to get to the gym, about a half mile away. As soon as I hit the steps my ankles were on at a 9 on the pain scale. My friends words were still in my head and I was determined to at least get to the gym. Once I got to the gym I had to climb a flight of stairs. Again 9/10.

He told me to try to walk for 15 minutes on the treadmill. I got up to a 2.5 incline going 2.8 mph. A steady walk. 5 minutes in I couldn’t take the ankle pain so I slowed down. That made it worse. Pain was 10/10. But I was determined to get 15 minutes in. By 7 and a half minutes my back near my tailbone gave out. Everything was 10/10 and I stopped. He told me to try the bike. I’ve always used the “sit down bike” where your arms are at your side instead of in front of you. First I had to adjust from my normal spot because I’ve gained so much weight in my abdomen my legs couldn’t get high enough for a revolution. Did a steady pace and my tailbone pain subsided but the ankle pain came back with avengance. I got to 5 and a half minutes and was in so much pain from my ankles I was crying. I stopped.

Just 6 months ago I was busting my ass in that gym. Doing an hour on the treadmill or 45 minutes on that same bike. My friend told me I was a whimp but I genuinely think my ankles hurt because my legs are swollen from something that hasn’t been found.

I still think this is autoimmune, or an infection gone awry. My body is breaking down, at 34. I had my ultrasound done today and should hear back either tomorrow or Monday. I’m going to call my neurologist and curse someone out. It’s been 7 business days since my nerve conduction study and no results.

Anyway thanks to this forum for letting me vent.