@pianist3 Hi and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! There is currently a discussion on Dercums disease. Just follow this link
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dercums-disease/
You may want to ask your question in this established group.
Do you have Dercums disease?

I was recently diagnosed after my doctors had said they had never heard of it. An infectious disease Doctor, an oncologist, and a general practitioner. I had to research it all and do it on my own. Lucky for me my oncologist referred me to a geneticist and a Dermatologist at a university hospital where they confirmed I had Dercum's disease. The reason I tried so hard to get the diagnosis was for clinical trials. I then found a clinical trial and was all ready to start when I was told I was too old for the trial. So I am pretty much back to square one. My next plan is to get my GP to refer me to a immunologist and a Endocrinologist at Mayo clinic. We'll see how that goes. I want to mention to all on this feed that if you look up videos of Dr. Karen Herbst they are enlightening. If I could, I would see her. She seems very kind and is very knowledgeable. A leader in the field. Please check out her videos and articles. She will give you some insight into what you are dealing with. Good luck to all of you as I know you are going to need it.