Confused on possible diagnoses but not having all symptoms
Hi all, I’m 45 this year and have had joint pain back pain (mostly upper) GI issues, and fatigue for as long as I can remember- since I was a teen. I’ve been to so many doctors, I’ve had so many blood tests. High ANA but every other auto immune test normal. History of auto immune disease in my family. Been to functional doctors. Been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Been dismissed by 2 other rheumatologists.
Went to a new rheumatologist because it’s been getting worse for the last probably 5-7 years? I have so many weird symptoms and not all of them match up to something specific.
Anyway my new doctor thinks it’s spondyloarthritis. Just did blood work (12 vials!) and then have x rays scheduled. I think my biggest doubt is I didn’t have the SI lower back pain for a long time. It was always upper back, neck and shoulders since I was young.
But I have the joint pain in fingers, wrists, knees, elbows, ankles for a long time. IBS/IBD issues. Pain and stiffness every morning and god the fatigue/exhaustion all the time. I now do have the SI and hip and Lower back pain the last few years but I still think it’s weird because it seems like the major marker. I also have brain fog, dry mouth so bad for so long chapped lips, dry eyes, skin issues, rosacea, hair loss, itchy scalp and bumps, gum inflammation, tmj issues…so many meds give me major side effects and GI issues…,i even had to have a hysterectomy for adenomyosis because my uterus was so inflamed and my periods so bad. I was so hoping it was perimenopause and HRT would fix a lot but it is only helping the hot flashes etc. That’s why my obgyn said to go back to the rheumatologist again since I’ve been on HRT almost two years. (Gallbladder was yeeted in 2007 because it wasn’t working, no idea if that has to do with anything.)
I’m so tired of years and years of all of these symptoms just getting worse and doctors being like oh it’s low vitamin d (brought it up and feel the same), or depression, stress etc.
The good thing is my new doctor is so nice and so thorough. Spent a whole hour with me and seems to really want to help. Meanwhile my psychiatrist prescribed Ritalin for now for my motivation and energy. I’ve tried so many meds for depression too.
I’m just…tired. So tired 😔
anyone with Spondyloarthritis with a lot of these symptoms? Or maybe something else with these?