← Return to Undiagnosed Autoimmune Disease - No one will listen to me

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@lexaprobiotic

I have had several symptoms that are all consistent with an Autoimmune Disease, but no doctor will ever give me a diagnosis or do further testing to determine one. I have been to emergency care, undergone several tests for indicators, and seen several specialists, but for some reason they are all clueless despite their proficiency in medicine.

I have bad joint pain, sudden bouts of severe itchiness, occasional numbing in my left arm (which isn't common but not unheard of), severe fatigue, swelling in my joints (specifically in my fingers), and the swelling of my lymph nodes. I know this is immune related because taking an antihistamine like Benadryl normally clears it up for a short time. My symptoms started almost immediately after I got COVID for the first time a couple months ago. The most likely causes are Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, or another autoimmune disease. (I say Lyme Disease because I was bit by a tick a few weeks later but my symptoms were pre-existing that.)

I feel like this is important, but no one is taking me seriously. I go in, get tests done, my results are fine, and they send me home saying not to worry about it. I am told I don't have any of the usual markers or indicators, and that I'm young and healthy, but how can I not worry when my knees buckle with random joint pain, or I'm trying not to sleep the day away because I'm so tired and can't get out of bed?

I don't know what to do right now honestly. If anyone with similar or the same symptoms could give input on their own diagnoses that would be great. I could really use some advice or ideas on how to get a diagnosis so I can be treated. I have a bad feeling this will only become worse as I start doing more activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

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Replies to "I have had several symptoms that are all consistent with an Autoimmune Disease, but no doctor..."

Have you had the test through a rheumatologist?
I have had it for years unaware but finally went to a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with auto immune and sjogrens.

I have 2 recommendations. Find a functional medicine provider in your area. They are trained in holistic medicine and really treat the whole person. They are much less likely to blow off your symptoms. They spend a lot of time with their patients. It may be something other than an autoimmune disorder, so be open to the process. The second is if you are able to get to the Mayo Clinic, and haven’t already done so, then call the main Mayo Clinic number and they’ll take it from there. Their consultative medicine group is amazing. Hope that helps.

Where does one find a good rheumatologist on Long Island? I went to one and all blood work was fine except high ANA level

I would look at 2 areas!
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome EDSh
and Mast cell Activation MCAS
Check out the symptoms of each and see if you have a match. You have many markers!
I have both and there is a lot of help on line!!!

Sounds like MCAD (mast cell activation syndrome), watch Dr. Anne Maitland on youtube, or Dr. Afrin. Hard to find immunologist who gets it--I'm having to travel to Mayo Phoenix as there is neurologist who treats Sjogren's, POTS, and knows what MCAD is (trifecta, common together). The "cheapest" management for some is compounded med Ketotifen, which didn't work for me though. Have doctor draw blood work for your general immunity--IgE, IgM and IgG. There is 24-hour urine test for MCAD developed at Mayo.

Best of luck and don't give up looking for doctor! I've been to over 30 in 12 years, no choice but to be persistent and advocate for yourself.

I had a mild case of OA in both thumb joints. Then, I turned my ankle ever so slightly, that I kept on going. When I sat down that night I saw my ankle was very swollen. I did the ice, heat ***etc. I went to my doctor (oops 1 of his PA's that are crazier than batshit. She felt around with her fingers and said I had a sprain or a strain. And, continue what I was doing. No relief. I saw 5 different doctors in 1 year. I couldn't even think of going to the grocery store, especially Costco. I finally read about a local doctor who does ankle replacements. I knew I didn't need that, bit I figured he knew feet really well. I went to him and he ordered an MRI, he was the 1st doctor out of 5 that ordered an MRI. I had the MRI and the radiologist wrote the wrong report. Dr. Clancy, looked at the MRI's himself and saw that 1 tendon going down from my ankle was torn (there are 3) and my foot was totally unstable. He did arthroscopic surgery to reattach the tendon and cleaned out some debris, that I assume were by products of cartilage. The weird thing is that I got severe arthritis pain in BOTH feet, which I never had before. Then, I got arthritis in both feet. When I mentioned it to him, he said it's bilateral. If you have it in 1 foot, you'll get in the other. The operation on a joint can do that. He gave me cortisone shots in both feet and luckily I got home before that kicked in, bc I couldn't put any weight on my feet bc the crystals were too big to go into where ever they were supposed to go. The next morning I was pain free.
I was not vaccinated for C19. My son & his wife got 2 shots of PFIZER in April 2020. I was sheltering in a beautiful place with my 2 dogs and I caught C19 from my son (who has no children and probably never will) who had the 1st break through case I've heard of. My case was very mild, bc I had a phone consultation with Dr. Zev Zelanko and he told me that I should take the HCQ + Z pack +zinc, vitamins C & D3, then Quercentin bc the Jab would make my arthritis worse. The medicine was at my local pharmacy the next morning. But, slowly my arthritis is worse than ever. Dr. Z died of the rarest form of cancer-tumors in his heart.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

God Bless You! I have fibromyalgia, both thyroid diseases & osteoarthritis all over. Covid flared all of that up. I went to a pain clinic recently and was told that in fact I was in a flare up due to long Covid. I am going to a Long Hauler Covid Clinic soon. I have been to several doctors myself and it's so frustrating.
This one really listened. See if you can get a referral into a pain clinic for an evaluation. Also, I agree, mast cell issues/histamine issues could be causing this for you since the antihistamines help. Covid (even a mild case) can cause issues with some people on down the road and not with others.

I hear you and I'm listening. Like you, my journey began with unknown causes for serious symptoms. Over the course of two years my case was seen by eight neurologists. The first one suspected Cidp but her speciality was orthopedics. It took several months to been seen by a neurologist that did diagnose. Following another year of progressive worsening symptoms and countless tests I began receiving treatment last November. I am responding. My encouragement for you is to press hard for a neurologist, immunologist and or endocrinologist and seek blood work. Don't take no for an answer. Don't stop. I can only speak for myself. The process from first symptoms to treatment took time and I became more affected every month. I was discouraged and tempted to give up. Don't. Your story can be heard by those who can help you. Press forward friend.

I also suffer from undiagnosed auto immune diseases.
Mine are consistent with MS and Reynauds and myesthenia gravies.
I’ve been searching for relief or treatment for 9 years.
To no avail.
Hang in there.
Be your own best advocate.

Im looking into lyme causing mine. labcorp neg, but quest gave me positive bands 58 and 93.