Hello, I'm not even sure how I found this site but I have to ask, how can I find out what is the latest with Alan? There must be a way to search and find the latests posts...

I read a few threads about his many many tests and have become curious. I am wondering if this is what I'm going to have to go through. It seems I have a new theory every month and I'm accumulating a variety of possible diseases... and the folks at the blood test place recognize me now.

I'm just beginning my quest to figure out what's wrong with me. I'm 52, but have just quit working... some of it health related for sure; but its also probably depression... and also because its taking lots of time just dealing with trying to figure this stuff out. I may try for SSDI eventually but you only have so much energy to deal with the system, you know? It sounds very difficult to get. I've worked 30 years and paid in the maximum for at least 25... but I look OK so I'm guessing no one is going to believe I'm really sick. People say I look 40... I feel 80. I think I'd rather have it be reversed.

I read that Alan has had this for 18? years. I've had it for 3 and was always too busy to deal with it. I'm getting the usual HMO reluctance and a m changing to an expensive PPO insurance for 1 year (I figure the maximum out of pocket is 4K) and I'm gonna see all the g-d doctors I can fit in until I figure it out. I wish I had a wife to go with me on this quest... and one as funny as Mel.

All I know is I have neurpathy all over. No one can tell me why. I now take Lyrica, it helps.. but I get brain fog. I am scary I get so loopy. They haven't noticed the mistakes I make at work. I figure I should quit while I'm still highly thought of.

I have a pain in my right buttocks (might be sciatica). I did get xrays... it said some stenosis (like Alan). Maybe that's causing the neuropathy.

I have an elevated ALT test that has been improving a lot and is almost "normal" (I am dieting but not losing weight.... at least something is better)... maybe its fatty liver...

I went to a gastroenterologist (for a routine (1st) colonoscopy and showed her the many different blood tests I've had in the last 6 months (just trying to see if I have RA, Lymes, Fibro)... she ordered a test ceruloplasm and it came in a little high... which might indicate some other liver thing, or MS, or cancer or even RA.

I was told I was tested for RA, Lupus, Lyme.. but who knows?

I have carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, shoulder pain (or maybe its all fibro)...

I have a weird pain in my ankle shin that comes and goes...

I often have real trouble with my feet (heel spurs, or they just get very sore after almost no walking...) and other days I can walk just fine. I ALWAYS use moleskin, every time I know I have to walk more than a couple of blocks or if I go shopping.

But mostly its the neurpathy I can't handle. When I "talk" to other fibro folks they have real muscle pain but no neuropathy. I have both plus these slightly weird, sometimes normal liver tests.

I am going to a rheumotologist in a week. (My PPC said that's who deals with diagnosing fibro).

After reading this, I think I may go to a neurologist after I change insurance next year. And I'm going to try to find Alan's chiropractor and maybe some magnets!

(I did buy a used massage chair; and sometimes pay for "real massages" they help for a few hours.

Mary