Hi there. My name is Danielle. I am a newbie here trying to figure some things out. I am not yet convinced I have MS, but I sure do have a lot of symptoms. I do not have very good medical insurance and we do not have a lot of money so it is tough to go to the doctor I need to to get help.

I had weight loss surgery about a year and 3/4 ago. (April 2007) I was ding well, lost 130 lbs. I got pregnant 6 months after my surgery. My pregnancy went well, except for debilitating morning sickness and additional weight loss. I had my daughter and went completely off dairy because of allergies in my family. Three months after her arrival I got my first twinge of pain in my right hand side of my sclap. I went to the doc who told me it was dandruff and sent me home. Over the past month my pain has spread (worse on my Right side, possibly because of old neck injury) to my hands and feet. If I get anxious or stressed it travels to my lower legs and into my wrists nd arms as well.

I have never had an eye issue, no spots, no blindness or blurry vision. I have had 2 MRI's, both showed no lesions. I had bloodwork, everything came back as normal except for a pretty good vitamin D and B and iron deficiency which was chalked up to my weight loss surgery. The only thing that makes me worry the most is my ANA blood count it was 1:80. I was told that it was positive.

I have lots of other symptoms I have posted in the main forum asking help with, so I will not go into them here. If anyone knows of a good Rhumatologist in the South Seattle Washington area, I would sure appreciate it.

I mentioned I have 3 small children. THis is my biggest worry. Do most of you that have small children lose the ability to parent the way you used to? I have been overcome with this quest on the internet, I am here night and day convincing myself I have this or that(always autoimmune diseases) I am a wreck, physically and mentaly. My family is suffering quite a bit. Everyone is sick of me and I think they dread seeing me coming towards them.
I am in the depth of despair...any encouragement appreciated.
Lovingly, Danielle