Where do I Go From Here?

[LE__0__0]

  I am a 41 year old female.  Since 1994, I have been suffering from severe headaches,
  righ leg pain and weakness, and right side weakness.  I have been having stiffness on the
  right side of my neck, right arm, low back, hip and leg.  I have suffered from dizziness,
  right eye pain and swelling.  I have numerous bouts with gastritis.  All symptoms are
  getting worse with time.  In 1997, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after numerous tests
  for various types of arthritis showed no abnormalities.  
  I have been hospitalized a couple of times since that time, once for unexplained dizziness
  and once for what the doctors thought was a stroke.  During the latter hospitalization,
  doctors ordered an anticardiolipin test.  The result was a moderate positive IgG level(+42).
  I also had mildly elevated fibrinogen(666) and a mildly elevated sed rate(35).  I've also
  have had problems over the years with high cholesterol, but never taken medication for it.
  In the past few weeks I have really been suffering with severe pain and swelling in my right
  leg.  About a month ago, I had blood work done for possible immune deficiency due to recurring
  abcesses I have been suffering with over the months.  This time, the IgG was a high positive.
  From what I have read, high levels of IgG have been associated with thrombosis and thrombocytopenia.
  Could either of these be the cause of my problems?  If so what kind of doctor do I see.  My new
  doctor just referred me to a rheumatologist.  Is this the right doctor to see?  Where do I go
  from here?  I've been going through this for a while and have become quite frustrated with doctors.
  I need some direction.  Can you help me?  Thank  you.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Lee,
A rheumatologist does sound like the kind of doctor you need to see to manage your health as you speak of it above, and preferably it will be a rheumatologist with experience in
treating fibromyalgia and the like.  As for your increased risk of thrombosis and the elevated cholesterol which put you at greater risk for a heart attack, I would inquire at your appointment
with the rheumatologist if in the future s/he might want to refer you to a cardiologist that specializes
specifically in preventive cardiology.  The rheumatologist may feel very comfortable assessing and treating
your cardiac risk himself or with simply one visit to a cardiologist.  Regardless the preventive cardiology
surely takes a back seat to your rheumatologic problems.  Good Luck. Write back with any further questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only,
actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).