New Doctor, Same Story

I saw a Rheumatologist today. He was great and thorough. We're testing for different arthritis types and some muscle diseases, but he said that he would definitely diagnose me as Hypermobile (EDS) and if the other tests come back negative, there's nothing he can do to help/treat me. He said that I should look for centers with specialists who are researching EDS and go there. He also wants me to wait until I see the Neurologist next month, as many of my symptoms he would classify as neurological in nature.

I'm happy that there are more tests to run and more specialists to see, but it is disheartening to hear that the field of Rheumatology has nothing to help me. On the other hand, it's nice to rule out an entire field of medicine as something that has possibilities. So here we are, waiting another month to see a Neurologist. And if this Neurologist doesn't have any ideas, there is another one my primary care doctor wants to send me to. And if that doesn't work, my primary care doctor is going to send me to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I've been to the one in Rochester many times, because it is where I was diagnosed with POTS, EDS, and PCOS. It's also the first place where the PTSD acronym was thrown out as a possibility. I have faith that they know what they're doing. Yes, Mayo Clinic is full of humans and humans have limited knowledge and make mistakes, but I've found that they're much more keen on finding out what is going on with your body than other specialists. But we'll see. Maybe the Neurologist I see next month will be amazing.

It's hard to keep going to see new doctors. It's hard to keep going over and over my symptom list. It's hard to continually explain my background and diagnoses. It's hard to keep my hope that this doctor will be the answer in check and it's harder when that hope, however tiny, gets crushed. It's weird that after all these doctors, I would still have a little hope when I see new doctors. But as silly as it sounds, it is true. My hopes are dashed every time and I cry. 

My husband and I treated ourselves to some restaurant food after the visit. We're trying to stick to the Paleo way of eating as much as possible (my Gynecologist recommended it to help with my hormone regulation) to see if it helps my overall health, but sometimes you just need hot food that someone else made.

My dogs are informing me that it is cuddle time, so until next time, friends! Stay safe, and remember that you are loved.