Answers of sorts?

I have answers, and although they are not very helpful in terms of making me better, they are quite interesting (and one is supremely happy-making)!

1. I don't have Lyme. Wait, maybe I do.

They tested for Lyme, and it came back negative. But then, for reasons unclear to both me and my doctor, they did a CONFIRMATORY test for Lyme, which came back positive. We are both not sure what this means, but my doc threw some more amoxicillin at me, claiming that it's better to shock whatever is doing this out of my system now, rather than wait and see what happens if we let it go. She says it might have something to do with the fact that I had been on antibiotics when I got my bloodwork done, or that maybe my thyroid disease was interfering? It does seem strange to me to get a false positive, when I would assume that more likely than not, bloodwork results in false negatives (any input on this, dear readers, would be greatly appreciated!).

2. My immune system is slightly compromised

No surprises there. My immunoglobulin level is at 638, which was under the minimum normal level of 700, but not low enough to be concerning. Just means that I get sick more than other people and take longer to recover. No surprises here!

3. NO MORE HPV.

I am so happy! Over three years of dealing with worries and concerns of keeping safe, on my own part and on the part of others, and I can finally rest easy for a little bit. Life is good.

Now, I'm off to Shop Rite to help my mom stock up on provisions for the impending hurricane. Hope everyone is keeping safe and getting prepared!

No diagnosis.

Well, I shouldn't say that I'm surprised. As I walked into the doctor's office yesterday morning, I looked at the business card that said "Gastroenterology" on the top and realized that maybe this guy wouldn't have the answers I was looking for. However, since he was the last person I saw about being completely wiped out in June (when it may well have only been an infection of some sort, because my liver levels were through the roof), I figured at least he would send me for some tests to play the Elimination Game - we're looking to cross out any liver disease and anemia with the bloodwork he sent me for today. I have an appointment with a new endocrinologist next Friday, and if I still don't have any answers, I'll likely be going back to a specialist, hopefully in chronic diseases.

Honestly, the more I think about going to the doctor, the more I wish I could just bypass the Elimination Game and get to the part where they diagnose me with chronic fatigue syndrome. I've always been impatient, though. And maybe it will prove important to go through all of these tests to rule things out because hey, I just may wind up having something that is testable, diagnosable, and curable! However, recent webmd-searchin' and book-learnin' have taught me that not only do my symptoms match with those of CFS, but that doctors don't always know how or when to diagnose it.

Hopefully, a diagnosis is just around the corner, but until then, I'm set to head back up to Noho for a little bit and then onto Canada. I'll be taking it easy as best as I can with the people I want to see most, which, even sans diagnosis, will definitely be the best medicine.