Most of my lab results are in now, and pointing strongly toward something autoimmune. I have been experiencing low-grade fever, joint pain and stiffness, poor sleep and insomnia, swelling, fatigue and weakness for 6-8 weeks now.
Commonly known autoimmune conditions are Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. There are many others.
I am being referred to a Rheumatologist, who will likely need to do more tests before we can get a diagnosis. At this point I don't know how long of a wait I will have before I can see the specialist.
It's kind of a solemn thought to know that something's wrong, but with how I've been feeling, that isn't a surprise. It's also a relief to know my labs showed something abnormal.
As always, I appreciate all of your friendship and encouragement. After a very busy day, it's time for Elephant PJs! :-)
I hope everyone's doing well.
Thank you for the update....I have been wondering how things were going. Sorry for more bad-ish news. BUT, YAY for getting some answers. The sooner you know what you are dealing with, the sooner you can start moving towards health again. Prayers and cyber-hugs for you, my cousin!! Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing woman and you are in my prayers sweetie. My prayer for you will continue to be that, ... "You will mount up with wings like an eagle, you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not faint .... "
ReplyDeleteI am at a clinic in Reno right now with a friend who's being treated for those exact symptoms. She suffers from Chronic Lyme Disease. She's lived in the Pacific Northwest all her life and contracted Lyme without a typical "indicative" tick bite. She's here at a treatment center that is actually curing (or at least getting under control) people with all kinds of auto-immune disorders although they tend to find that the large majority of their patients with symptoms like yours are suffering from Lyme disease which actually spurred their auto-immune disorder.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that the vast majority of traditional medical providers are extremely ignorant of the real facts about Lyme Disease and will usually diagnose it as an unpinpointable auto-immune disorder.
I just want you to know that there are places where people understand what's going on in your body and are equipped with machinery and testing that are available nowhere else in the US to help pinpoint what's really going on in your body.
I am here with my friend for a week of her treatment and I've had the opportunity to sit in with these once seriously debilitated patients as they recieve their treatments and this clinic is restoring life to all of them!
Please take a look at this information and prayerfully consider it. I know you don't really know me. And I have nothing to gain from you going there. I have no other affiliation with this clinic other than that I've seen it give my dear friend whos unidentifiable "auto-immune" disorder has finally been diagnosed and is being healed.
If you would like to be tested for lyme effectively you'll have to step outside the normal protocol covered by medical insurance and recommended by traditional doctors. You need to have a Western Blot test sent to Igenix laboratory in CA. A naturopathic physician would be your best bet for proper diagnosis.
If you have any questions I'd be happy to do my best to answer them or direct you to someone who can.
http://autoimmunityresearch.org/lyme-disease/
http://www.sierraintegrative.com/
Praying Jenn... the unknown is the scariest place of all. Thanks for sharing your journey, the good and the not so good, and allowing us to walk with you. You are often an encouragement and a source of smiles. I will join in prayer for an appt. with the right doctors sooner than expected :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm not sure if you can access my email if you have questions. It's ofisita@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't have to wait too long. I'm glad you at least have a bit of progress now. I continue always to wish the very best for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts Jenn. We were thinking of going to Tillamook next week, and if you are feeling up to it maybe we can meet you and the girls at the park or the beach. I love you friend!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry things are going in this direction for you, but know how good it is when you are diagnosed as quickly as you seem to be. Autoimmune diseases can be scary and overwhelming, but if you get on the right meds quickly, they can also be very manageable.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you left a comment today, and if there's anything I can do, just let me know.
Thinking of you. Vanessa
ReplyDeleteThank you, each & every one.
ReplyDelete