So frustrated!!

I am a 43 year old female and I have gone to a doctor for help.  That is what they are there for right?  I had sharp pains on the left side of my head.  Sharp, quick then gone but happened frequently.  Already had migraines so I knew the pain was different.  Went to a neurologist who did a MRI and found lesion in left frontal lobe and lesion in left cerebral peduncle white matter.  Also, small vessel damage ( on left).  Also did an ANA test which was postive for systemic auto immune. Sent me home with Topamax.  When I asked questions ( which is what we are supposed to do right)? I was treated as though I were silly and looking for something to be wrong.  No...... my grandmother had a major stroke, my great aunt had a major stroke, my father has arthritis and has had cancer and 2 heart attacks.  My brother has epilepsy, my aunt has schleroderma......on and on.  I am concerned because the left side of my head hurt and you found damage!!  My primary care physician said................why look for something to be wrong, if you begin to feel bad or feel pain then deal with it then.  3 years later I am still having pain, I am now getting dizzy spells, nausea and feel very dry ( skin, mouth, eyes).  I am tired ALL the time.  It makes you afraid to go to the doctor.  What is small vessel damage, what does the postive ANA mean, what is the meaning of the lesions in those particular areas?  I obviously must know something was wrong to have felt the pain on the left  and there ends up being damage in the same area. So, I should wait until I am elderly and then have all these issues that I might have been able to deal with earlier and manage?? Some family members are concerned because some of the symptoms could be serious and also some of the symptoms were the same verbage used in their diagnosis.  How can you tell a good neurologist from a bad one until after you have paid alot of money for tests and then get blown off.  Then hop to the next and go through the process again??  I am so frustrated.......my gut tells me something needs to be dealt with.........but I am not a doctor and dont play one on television!!!

[thimble123]

I'm fighting with neurologists also.  My MRI's show a shiny thing in my head that they are calling a vein.  I already have Trigeminal Neuralgia which has caused the shape of my skull to change over the last 1 1/2 years which would cause the new attacks to happen.  Adll of the people I have seen have given me the pieces to the puzzle and I feel confident in my diagnosis.  If the Dr. isn't the one to come up with the right answer then you get made fun of until they finally figure it out.  I'm so mad I can barely contain myself.  The trigeminal neuralgia itself is nicknamed "suicide disease" because it is listed as the most painful affliction known to mankind.  The two problems are different but one caused the other to act up.  I  I  I  am so at the end of my rope.  the best of hope to you.