New Symptoms: Could It Be Celiac?

Canker sores on the inside of my cheeks and on my gums? Check.

Weird, itchy rash on the back of my hands? Check.

Petechiae on my arms and legs? Check.

In this week's installment of Guess What the Hell is Wrong with Chronic Leigh, I contemplate the probability that I have undiagnosed Celiac or Crohn's...or, you know, anything in the IBD family. (PSA: Don't take your normal bowel movements for granted, people. Not ever.)

My current symptoms, so I don't forget them:

• All-over nerve pain
• Extreme muscle weakness/fatigue
• Headaches
• Rash
• Canker sores
• Petechiae
• Diarrhea
• Consitpation (yes, both)
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Gait and balance problems
• Dizziness
• Hypothyroidism (previously managed with meds, but suddenly and unexpectedly off the charts TSH results)
• Bloating
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Swelling of hands and feet
• Hiccups
• GERD (currently treated with Nexium)

I am relieved to have some visible symptoms on that list. Sadly though, I can't see a GI specialist until July 11! So, ever the resourceful Spoonie, I took pictures of my canker sores and my blistery rash to show my doctor. My hope is that he will consider one of the following possibilities:

1. I don't have fibromyalgia at all.
2. I do have fibromyalgia, but there is something else going on.

As I go on two years of almost constant physical decline, I can't shake the feeling that I'm wandering through life with an undiagnosed illness. And since it's not diagnosed, it's not being treated.

One of the many, many shitty things about suffering from chronic pain and invisible illnesses is that people doubt you so frequently you begin to doubt yourself. For example, when I complained that I hurt all the time, my first doctor said I was depressed and had fibromyalgia.

He did that tender points test and diagnosed me with fibro when all those spots on my body hurt. Looking back at that I'm like, dude, you could have touched me anywhere and I'd have cried out in pain. The fact that you selected those 18 points on my body means absolutely nothing. Pick 18 more; those hurt too.

But back to my main point. When my rashes and sores popped up during a severe flare last week, I was elated. Visible symptoms are validation.

I am not making this up.

I am not just lazy.

I am not just looking for attention.

I AM LOOKING FOR A DIAGNOSIS. (Some sound medical advice on how to navigate whatever is happening would be great too.)