So...I know I've been MIA lately (at least as far as updating what is going on with ME)...but I've been busy getting lots of tests and seeing a whole bunch of doctors to try and figure out what exactly is wrong with my (besides the CRPS in my left ankle). The more I go through the more I think it is mostly likely a spread of the CRPS, but we are continuing on the path to rule out any other possibilities.

In the past week and a half, I have had an echocardiogram, ultrasound (gall bladder, liver, and pancreas), chest xray and 21 blood tests...plus I am going for an EGD next Monday. I have also been to see my primary care doctor, an ifectious disease doctor, and 2 independant medical evaluation doctors (pain specialist and orthapedic). And after all that...what do I have to show for all my efforts...results from the eco and nothing else (well...another thing too but not health related).

The ecocardiogram shows that I have a mild heart condition called mitral valve prolapse...which may or may not be causing some of my symptoms like the increased heart rate, chest pains, dizziness, nausea, night sweats, trouble sleeping, and migraines. But we can't write off these symptoms just to the mvp because most people with mvp have no symptoms at all. I mean...it's good to know I have this and that it might explain some of the symptoms...but it's not the main cause of my problems right now.

I won't get any of the other test results back until Thursday at the earliest. I called today to see if the infectious disease doc got back the bloodwork, ultra sound, and chest xray results and I was told they hadn't and the doc wouldn't be in until Thursday and that they would call me and I shouldn't call them. Okay...but the doctor told me to call in a week if I didn't hear from her because she's not always good about calling patients if things come back normal. Whatever...not a big deal...but sort of an odd response from the person on the phone. I'm still optimistic though because they didn't not call because things were normal, they didn't call because they don't have the results back yet. I really hope they find something in the tests that can explain what is happening to me. I'm waiting to follow up with my regular doc until after I get these results so we can discuss what the next step is from here.

Last Thursday I went to two idependant medical evaluations for work comp. They stopped paying me last month for absolutely no reason and wanted to get a second opinion on my condition and my ability to work. First one was an orthapedic...good guy but a total waste of time. He was literally there to just confirm that the problem isn't orthapedic...again...for the third or fourth time. Umm...I know work comp doesn't LIKE the CRPS diagnosis but sending me to orthapedic doctors again and again is not going to change this.

Second IME doc was a pain specialist. Spent a lot of time with him and he seemed really good too. He thinks I should be in a hospital and actually didn't really want me to leave until he made some phone calls...but as an independant medical evaluation he's not there to provide medical treatment to me, just to report on my condition to work comp. But when he came back after making some calls he said that he is going to try to see if there is something more he can do for me. I'm not holding my breath...but at this point any help or opinions from another doctor would be VERY welcome.

So last night (this is the good news, btw) I got the word that I am be sent a check for all my outstanding TTD pay (for the time they had it shut off for..again...no reason) and they will continue to pay me while I am off work (like they should). Woo hoo! Nothing worse than going through all this pain and suffering and having to worry about your bank account slowly disappearing into nothingness and how you are supposed to pay all these bills with no money.

Hope I have something positive about my health to report soon (even if the only thing positive is knowing what it is and starting treatment)...but for now I will have to just keep my spirits up with the knowledge that at least I got some good news on the financial end.