Looking for Connection; Common Denominator Chronic full body Edema,excema, fibromyalgia, and more

[midwestmainer]

Hi
As I've been reading through a few posts, trying to figure out where to go, I found this post.  Interesting.
Without going into ALL the great details, I wanted to introduce myself and ask if you could refer me to a particular part of the forums.
I'm 36 now; d/x began at age 20 with depression and fibromyalgia and have continued as I've gotten worse, better, or developed different sypmtoms.  Although the diagnosis are believable and provable (is that a word?), I hold out for an explanation that ties all these problems together or explains a common origin.  I am convinced that my health problems are connected and not random.  
D/X since:
Atypical bipolar with ultra rapid cycling, hypothryroid, Plantar Faschitis, Bursitis, Narcolepsy, Neuropathy, PCOS, Metabolic Syndrome, HyperInsulinanemia, Ammenorrea, Insulin Resistance, Infertility
Other problems since young age:
IBS, Migraines, Severe Allergies, Bronchitis, Pnuemonia, TMJ/teeth grinding, minor mitrovalveprolapse, Anxiety (Hell yah, check out the list of **** I am dealing with!), OCD, Edema (Current unexplained problem causing great pain), and more!

I've been to numerous doctors, the Mayo Clinic, and several churches.  I'll try anything.

I'm very interested in the knowledge that you've  collected regarding CFS, Fibro, autoimmune.....especially when in common with symptoms/diseases/syndromes mentioned above.
One other important consideration is that I had Mono at 16-17 yrs.  I've researched a great deal and can not find a connection with POST mono difficulties/problems/etc.  

I'm looking forward to having a group to discuss with.  It's been a long (and many times, lonely and frustrating) 15 years of poor health and no answers.  I've read the desperation in the forums and I know that in my own life.  

[TrudieC]

Something else to look into is how your hypothyroidism is being treated.  If you are on a synthetic drug and doctor is only monitoring your T4 then you are quite likely still not being treated.  Take a look at this web site http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/.  Good luck in your search.

[patriot1023]

YOU HAVE LYME DISEASE!  You are one of many with total body swelling that not one doctor will admit is full body lymphedema.  As your lymph glands are eventually packed full of bacteria the lymph fluid can't get through even though it (the fluid) continues to generate.  I know because I have lived it, and am now shrinking as the antibiotics continue to kill the bacteria.  Believe it or don't, but if you want a future you will get tested for Lyme and/or experiment with Doxycycline and see what happens!

patriot1023

[Carol in PA]

These are all symptoms that people have with tick borne infections.

Wild Condor's Lyme Links:  http://www.wildcondor.com/lymelinks.html

Carol

[kiminspokane]

have they checked for scarcoidosis?  i don't know much about it, other than it can manifest itself in the skin (can been seen microscopsically via biopsy) will attack nerves, etc.  Check it out.  Good luck.