Autoimmune disease connection

[Scooter3]

My TPO is 6991. My mother has Fibromyalgia and Hashi's. My aunt had a connective tissue disease, but she died of a brain tumor in 1976 so I don't know what type of connective tissue disease. It must have been obvious if they knew about it in the early 60s and 70s. My mom said my aunt would joke about "falling apart" because of her connective tiissue disorder wouldn't "keep her connected".

Bottom line, I just discovered my dramatic thyroid fluctuations which lead to the discovery of my extreme TPO (6991). My ANA ratio is 1:4, with normal Sed rate. Problem is that I am really sick. It can come on in 15 mins. Low grade fevers, body ache, joint pain, muscle ache, swollen and aching lymph nodes, fatigue, constipation, face swelling, hands and feet swelling, weight gain, stress related illness (even moderate stress), bleeding problems after surgery including mulitple blood transfusions (3 times now) delayed healing, intolerance to exercise (makes me extremely sleepy and feet go numb after 15 mins), hair falling out, couldn't sit up for 3 months following hysterectomy due to extreme temperature rise and bleeding, extreme fibroids too numerous to count. Trigeminal neuralgia since my mid 20s (about 4 or 5 times a year lasting up to 1 week). Recently I am starting to lose my balance and get briefly confused.

I am a 45 year old female, no children. Who do I see about all of this? All I want to know is if I have an autoimmune disease and what it is. Sometimes putting a name to it really helps. It is not until then that you can move on an learn how to be as healthy as possible.

[selmaS]

...no I mean fibromyalgia.....there r connective tissue disorders that all go hand in hand....raynauds...and fibro...prior to the 80's that is what the drs thought....and then it was given the name of fibro...it could have been her dr, but it was what she was told.....I was told the same thing...it was connective tissue issue.....tarsel tunnel...corpal tunnel...if u have one u may have more.....

"selma"

[Lori707]

Hi Selma,
You mentioned that your mom had connective tissue disorder and it wasn't until the 80's that they started calling it fibro. Do you mean fibromyalsia? I didn't think that's considered to be a connective tissue disorder. Just a bit confused here.
Thanks,
Lori

[selmaS]

A rheumitoid dr would be a place to start.....depending on the dx he/she gives u could move on to a NL or NS..oe ENDO..ENT....

Ur Aunt had a good sense of humor.....and yes my Mom also was dx with connective tissue disorder back in the 60's.....wasn't until.....'80's they started calling it fibro.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"