I hope that the rheumy that you have seen has done all the relevant testing (ANA in particular), especially including the anti-cardiolipin antibodies and lupus anti-coagulant tests (these are often forgotten or overlooked). If possible, try to obtain the blood test results for the last 4 years so that you know what has been run and what the results are.
There are many causes for symptoms such as yours, including lupus, sjorgen's syndrome, tick borne illness, Hepatitis C can contribute to joint pain, and there are more. All of these should have been investigated.
It sounds as if all your bloodwork is negative at the moment, it has been negative for some of our members here while they had symptoms for years before turning positive. Many doctors will not diagnose lupus without clear evidence in the form of bloodwork and symptoms, and 98% or more of lupus patients will have positive bloodwork so it is uncommon to get a lupus diagnosis without it. In your situation, some doctors may diagnose UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder) & do a trial of medication such as Plaquenil to see if it helps.
The best thing for you to do is to keep going to the doctor, inform them of changes to your health/new symptoms, and possibly getting second opinion if you feel in any way uncomfortable with the care you are receiving presently. Good luck - yours is a difficult position to be in - sick but not convinced you are appropriately diagnosed/treated since some of your symptoms do not fit with fibro.
PS Have they offered any kind of treatment for the fibro?
There are many causes for symptoms such as yours, including lupus, sjorgen's syndrome, tick borne illness, Hepatitis C can contribute to joint pain, and there are more. All of these should have been investigated.
It sounds as if all your bloodwork is negative at the moment, it has been negative for some of our members here while they had symptoms for years before turning positive. Many doctors will not diagnose lupus without clear evidence in the form of bloodwork and symptoms, and 98% or more of lupus patients will have positive bloodwork so it is uncommon to get a lupus diagnosis without it. In your situation, some doctors may diagnose UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder) & do a trial of medication such as Plaquenil to see if it helps.
The best thing for you to do is to keep going to the doctor, inform them of changes to your health/new symptoms, and possibly getting second opinion if you feel in any way uncomfortable with the care you are receiving presently. Good luck - yours is a difficult position to be in - sick but not convinced you are appropriately diagnosed/treated since some of your symptoms do not fit with fibro.
PS Have they offered any kind of treatment for the fibro?
