Autoimmune Disease - Still seeking answers

[ilovetrees999]

Thanks to all who have commented on my earlier posts. I'd appreciate any thoughts from others as to what you

think may be afflicting me and what I should request from my physicians to obtain a diagnosis.

Allergist believes I may have an autoimmune disease and wants me to see a pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic.  Insurance won't cover Mayo tho.  Pulmonologist thinks it's reflux and has me on Prilosec.  No change in symptoms since taking that for 3 weeks.  Tried to tell pulm. about earlier dr who had me on Protonix for several months to no avail.

I have chest pain, eye pain & burning, skin rashes, fatigue, sinus pain, headache, left ear ache, shortness of breath, occasional sore hands & feet, loss of appetite, and weight loss.  I have history of asthma, allergies, IgA deficiency, mild chronic sinusitis, high lipoprotein a, and mild tricuspid regurgitation.

My own research seems to relate all  my signs and symptoms to possible autoimmune disease.

Saw my cardiologist yesterday for follow-up re high Lp (a).  Medication helping somewhat but levels are still high and pattern of lipoprotein a is very aggressive LDL.  Heart is doing very well at this time (yeah!). Discussed non-cariac symptoms and heart doctor suggested seeing a rheumatologist or return to allergist.

I'm hoping allergist will be able to refer me to a doctor that will be able to discern what's going on.  I'm going to contact allergist next week and ask if he'll do ANCA and ANA tests as suggested by others in my earlier posts.

If anyone has any further suggestions, I'd most appreciate them.  Thank you!

[soldy]

Hi,Your own research is correct.

[ktmom]

Hello, I think you should probably go to a rheumatologist, some allergists are also immunologists but not sure if they can do this kind of testing. If you have a positive ANA then the rheumy will do a more complete work up to see if you have specific autoimmune diseases. I know it is so hard when you have no diagnosis. I am going through the same thing presently.  I also just decided to swith primary care doctors-sometimes you need a new eye on your symptoms, blood work etc.  


best of luck!