[MAT52]

After five rollercoaster years of a diagnosis of non-eorosive, seronegative RA - my immunology has at last yielded clear positive results. I've had to be allowed to become rather unwell for this to happen but my ANA is now a clear positive, elevated IgG and IgA - CRP has risen slowly from 2 last year to 19 and my PV is 1.98. I'm to have a lip biopsy and ultrasound of salivary and carotid ducts over the coming month.

Meanwhile my rheumatologist has expedited my next appointment to 22nd August. I'm hoping this at last brings an acknowledgment that my SFN and possible Dysautonomia are part of an inflammatory process that needs modifying again. I have already tried for DMARD medicines and am severely allergic so it does mean that options will be limited even if I'm rediagnosed at last with Lupus, Sjogrens or UCTD. But turning gradually more and more numb - to the point where my mouth and left nostril and eye feel permanently anaesthetised - doesn't feel like a good option. I'm feeling permanently tired and vaguely disorientated/ dizzy because of proprioception issues now. I eat very well, research my GI issues and have tried eliminating gluten and dairy to no useful end. I have followed my new neurologist's advice and got back to simple yoga and gentle aerobics. But my balance is still off despite attempts to retrain my brain.

Two neurologists have so far shrugged it off as mild SFN and have felt it unrelated to an ongoing disease process. I am therefore seriously hoping they are now proved wrong.

Several of the members of this community have helped me push for answers more than words can express - I think you probably know who you are so please know how grateful I am. Onwards and upwards!