Hi Dr. Andrew-
I was wondering what type of doctor you would recommend for extreme left side abdominal pain that is under my ribs and extends to my back. I have trouble eating as the pain escalates so badly when I do eat, that I get sick. It is escalating fast and tonight I became sick from it and had to miss work which in three years at Western Governors University, I have never missed a day. I do not need a doctor's referral based on my insurance so I do not want to waste time. I am very concerned and that is not like me. The strangest thing is that I am so tired and thought it was my thyroid because I do not have one based on previous thyroid cancer. But it tested fine, and in fact they lowered my dosage from 150mcg to 135mg because my TSH was high. They did not do a full panel only TSH. I fall asleep right in the middle of the day, with no forewarning. I can be on the phone with one of my IT students and in the middle of the conversations without warning I am out and sleep for hours. Its not like going under anesthesia where you start to feel sleepy, just lights out. I have no energy at all and thankfully I work from home because I cannot even find the energy to dress myself or even shower very often. Which is so disgusting and i want my life back. I am a high performer and highly motivated in my career finishdc my masters and was on my way to my doctoral degree but that is on hold right now. Also something strange is that I my hands are so itchy that I scratch them all day. Even with high quality lotion and washing them every morning with a great all organic soap does not seem to help. Same thing with my feet but they are not as bad. About five months ago I noticed that my stool was pale (light tan) and actually floated, this is unusual and i thought it was from taking naproxen for back pain so I stopped but it did not make a difference. I cannot express how concerned I am. Tonight the pain is so bad, but I want to go to the right doctors since my time is limited. My husband says that the whites of my eyes are yellow but really I do not see that at all. This probably has nothing to do with it but my eyesight has decreased significantly in the past year too. I am 48 so this is probably just age related. Back in May of last year I went to the doctors in my local community but they just said it is change of life and never even took blood or did and exam. They told me to rest more and possibly take vitamin B which I am. Do you have any advice of what type of doctor I should schedule an appointment with. I would like to get in as soon as as possible and do whatever is necessary to get my life back on track. Thank you for your time and expertise. Sincerely, Laurie Smith