Hi, My name is Kat. I was here a while back when the journey for my diagnosis first started. I found a great source of comfort. Now things are going down hill again and I am back. I am shocked at all the changes I see.
My story...
Back a couple of years ago I started having severe joint pains, rashes, and general illness that did not seem to have a reason. My doctor ran some tests to try and figure out what was going on and that is when it was discovered that my ANA was very high. I since then have been to several doctors and each one finds something else and they "treat" me then forget me. Like the rheumatologist found that my muscle enzymes were elevated so he gave me a round of steroids and passed me off to a "conective tissue specialist" (only he didn't actually send me to one just said I needed to see one--have yet to actually find one) So I went to a neurologist and an orthopedic. Both of them confirmed peripheral neuropathy all extremities with denervation in my lower extremities which basically means that for some reason my nerves are not conecting to my muscles properly. Blood tests also showed that my B12 was low so I was put on taking injections once a month. This did not help, so the injections were increased to every other week. This gave me relief, well kindof. Things were bearable again. So the doctors seemed to quit looking for the cause and just maintained the treatment. Now my symptoms are starting to worsen again and I have been handed off to yet another Doctor. I see him next week. The search for the diagnosis is just as taxing on my emotional state as the actual health problems. There has been so much more to it but I could never go into it all or you would never be able to finish reading this...lol.
The basics of it all is that I lost my career because of the physical disablities, got a new job that allows me to work at my own pace and at home (sounds like a dream right)...This is wonderful...only it is as a medical transcriptionist and requires alot of typing and now my hands are deciding to get in on the act here. I wish I had someone to just once tell them all the pain and aches that I have but that is too much like whining and I AM NOT A WHINER but just once would be nice. I come here to help me remember that I am not alone and there are others trudging and limping along everyday. It makes me buck up and suck it in to make it through another day. So THANKS to all of you.
Kat!
LOTS of gentle hugs! I am so sorry that you having been going through all o this! We are glad that you are here.
I pray that you find the right doctor and the right diagnosis and the right treatment very soon!