Hello!

[Rosie]

I just found this forum and I am so glad....

I have been suffering for about a year and 3 months with severe stiffness, paresthesias and exhaustion, I also have dry eyes to the point that my vision is blurry and I have a hard time reading..... and my mouth is so dry that I have to have something to drink when i eat or I can't get the food down.... I used to have the stamina to keep on with projects and move on to another... now I have to take a nap after the smallest chore..... soooo not like me.....

I have had a strange rash in the front of my lower leg that I 1st noticed about 6 months ago.... of course, nobody has a clue what it is.... it really doesn't bother me..... it is over a varicose vein and it burns and stings sometimes, but I have just thought that it was my vein.

Anyway.... we have spent about $13,800 trying to figure out what is wrong with me, I have had so many Doctors say they have no idea after the tests don't come back the way they expect.
My primary care doctor said these things "can take 10 years to figure out sometimes"
I can tell the world that I will not make it for 10 years like this!!!!

3 Weeks ago I had an appointment with an awesome Rheumatologist, she noticed "enlarged salivary glands" and then after looking at my leg rash and also noticing "suspicious" spots on my elbows, behind my ears and at the base of my hairline she asked me if I have psoriasis.... to my knowledge, I don't... she asked about family history and I have since learned that my mother's father had a severe case of plaque psoriasis.

I will see the dermatologist tomorrow and she is to diagnose the "rash" and determine if I have psoriasis....
Can she do that in one visit or will there be tests?

The Rheumy put me on Lyrica which has significantly helped with the paresthesias, I still have them but now instead of constantly, it is intermittent like it was when it 1st started....and that's about all that is better

Then I go back to the Rheumatologist on Tuesday..... I hope to have some answers and a treatment plan.... I want my life back!!!

I would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on what to ask these Dr's....what to expect, etc.....