Perhaps you could ask the rheum for further testing, there are so many lab tests they can do. There are also thousands of autoimmune diseases and are difficult to diagnose, let alone treat, sometimes it is a plan of trying a med to see if it works, if not, try another. Also in rheum, the term undifferentiated comes in alot as does non-specific. I have been treated for numerous years based on a diagnosis of undifferentiated and non-specific. Some of your symtpoms do make me wonder if you have ankylosing spondylitis or some sort of Crohns, or perhaps even PBC (primary biliary cholangitis), you may want to look those conditions up and see if they resonate with you and then ask your rheum, PCP, GI (whoever) if they would test you specifically for that. I have found that I am the only advocate I have, and maybe a good nurse in the providers clinic. You really have to do your research and almost know what you need to ask for. If you are not satisfied with your rheum and can go to another i would suggest you do that. I had a wonderful one that i went to for years until she changed jobs, then went to her partner which was a disaster ( like i had to get the board of trustees involved or i told them i would sue the Dr. for fraudulent charting), needless to say, i saw him only 1 time. Then i had to just take a chance and take an appt in another group and thank goodness, she turned out wonderful. I am very direct with the doctors and make sure they know that i will respect them if i am shown the same respect. In my area there is a shortage of rheum and i know alot of people complain of not having a great relationship with the rheum they see. I swear i will not leave this rheum unless she runs me out. I also have a very good PCP who will cover me if i am ever without a rheum. Be your own advocate, do your research, keep detailed records of your symptoms, what makes them worse or better, what meds you have tried, how they worked etc. Most things i have read say it takes an autoimmune patient an average of 3-7 years to get a diagnosis, nevermind whether its accurate or not. LOL I have had the same symptoms for 15-20 yrs before i saw a rheum, then it was actually my PCP who said "call me when you feel this way or have these episodes" and we will do lab immediately. The labs that indicate some forms of autoimmune change also, so you may need the same lab test many times before it is "caught" if you will. So dont decline if they offer to do labs that you may have had done in the past, because they can and do change. For example, if you are in "remission" or the treatment is working well for your particular condition, the labs that were previously abnormal may be normal and remain that way for a length of time, hopefully a long length of time. Good luck!

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