Thanks for this information. The hereditary component has def. not been ruled out. I FINALLY got an appointment to a neurologist!! Unfortunately, it is not until April 27, but at least I know it is going to happen. I am hoping that he strongly considers my family history. I also have DDD. I had back surgery at 19. And the pattern you describe is EXACTLY to the T on how I feel. When I finally have the energy to do things, I do a lot of things around the house. I even pushed myself to vacuum and run a couple errands, and then what do you know? By that night or the next day my weakness sets in. SMALL things such as holding the phone up to my ear causes extreme weakness. It feels so muscular, almost like MGers describe their symptoms. And once I rest for a couple days, I feel like I can do things again, then the pattern repeats itself.

I have a strong gut feeling that my health issues are hereditary. I am otherwise so healthy and young, eat well, exercise. It is a hard pill to swollow, dealing with this at such a young age. And my profession, wildlife biology, is very physical! If this is something chronic, how will I manage my career? Trying not to go there, but I just know that physically I cannot perform my physically demanding job. I am lucky for the meantime that I have a lot of computer work to do dealing with data and don't have to be outside working. Most days it is hard to compute as well. Within an hour my hand will go numb or my arm and elbows are burning.

I am a strong person, and I know that so many people on here struggle way worse than I do, so I hate to sound whiny. I just pray that some answers come my way soon. I also pray for all the others in similar situations.