Question: Hi, I really do not know where to go anymore. I haven't been well for years. I am 48 years old, probably feeling the best I have for a long time. Which means I function slightly below average, but better than I was. Largely due to the fact I have a XXXXXXX in place which controls my hormones, and menstral cycle. I am a survivor of multiple miscarriages, only 2 documented, 1 full term healthy pregnancy 20 yrs ago. 10 years ago I had an unknown inflammation in my sm intestine, which resulted in an emergency surgery, 15 cm of my sm intestine removed. I am a survivor of breast cancer, 5 years ago I had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I have TMJ and ear problems. I take medication for anxiety, low thyroid and a sleep disorder. I get flare ups of inflammation on my skin and my bowels are slow. My endurance is low, anxiety high, had some weight gain, I have inflammation in my eyes, they swell up and itch uncontrolably, and my gums bleed. This part really puzzles me...When I get a flu or cold my symptoms don't externally exist. I feel it, but my symptoms are never normal, I show very little mucus and seldom show signs or a fever, weird symptoms, when others around me will show severe signs of being sick. I am not able to support a full-time job. As I go full force, then usually crash after a few days. And I am tired of feeling like I have to keep my health silent or I am labeled as a hypochondriac or crazy. My GP checks for lumps, does yearly blood work, but other than that I keep it to myself, as he says everything looks good and if I mention my symptoms, he does basic bloodwork and says I'm fine. But I'm not fine, no wonder I take anxiety meds...I feel frustrated because of all my years of infertility, sadness and sickness, I feel alone in my sufferings, with no diagnosis. My thoughts are I have an overactive immune system disorder. Where the doctors have no ability or don't care to find. At least if I had a proper diagnosis I could at least validate my problems to people. And I could get some understanding. I have searched for a specialist in and around northern alberta to help me. But they just deal with allergies. I am feeling very much alone and would love to have a proper diagnosis to help my family understand and put my mind at ease.


I'm on synthroid .025 mg, Effexor 150 mg, and 3/4 pill of zopoclone nightly. I take my regular multi vitamin, omega oils, cal-mag, vit B-12 injectable monthly. I have tried immune 7x with reishi mushrooms and like how I feel when I take them. Forgot to mention, I have muscle stiffness and soreness a lot.

I have never been tested for either one of those disorders. I have to tell you that when we were trying to conceive for a 2nd time after our son was born. I felt I was pregnant so many times, however the pregnancy tests came back negative. But my periods were so heavy at those times, and I could have swore I was pregnant because I had known what it felt like, it was enough to drive me insane when the doctors would tell me to go home and relax. I carried one baby for 14 weeks and they found no heart beat, so they did a D & C and the other time was 8 weeks. I have been taking thyroid medicine for maybe 8 years, however I did receive help from various natropaths in the past and they said my thyroid wasn't good. My GP only found it low after I turned 40. My family history is: lots of history of thyroid problems on my mothers side. She has arthritis, fibermyalgia, and hypothyroid.

I think I was tested for antiphospholipid antibodies during the years of infertility. And it came back ok. I even took a baby aspirin, didn't work. My question is are those blood tests accurate? Can a person have a condition yet their test come back within normal range? I have studied a few of the autoimmune diseases, and I find I have had symptoms from several of them. I have such cold hands and feet, zero tolerance, I have had hives from the cold, I get flair ups with sores in my mouth, yet I don't have heart or lung problems, no kidney problems, which Lupus can have. I can pick bits and pieces from each disorder. And what about my cold & flu symptoms and being suppressed compared to other people?I have been told autoimmune problems can be very complex. Where would you start on finding an accurate diagnosis, what would you test?