u/RevolutionaryAd6057

Hey there! I (23F) finally decided to try and start figuring out my pain and I’ve seen a rheumatologist (first one, didn’t go well) and we did some follow up bloodwork.

I have raised CRP, Positive ANA (1:320) and constant body pain. I’m always tired no matter how much I sleep, GI issues, constant hot flashes / nausea, poor circulation in legs, redness on cheeks that look suspiciously like a butterfly. But I’m negative to the disease specifies antibodies so I’m being told that I can’t have an autoimmune disease at all.

Not looking for a diagnosis here but just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of a next step for this :[

I (F23) finally got an appointment with a rheumatologist after years of feeling like shit and the appointment lasted all of 15 minutes. I had a nurse-type woman come in and ask me questions, all normal and things I expected. They had an AI Scribe so I expected the doctor to come in and know those answers but he just asked me them all again and despite me describing my pain, he somehow ruled out the possibility of any autoimmune disorder. He asked me 7 or 8 times, “Do you have any questions for me?” and called himself a ‘reasonable’ guy.

I had bloodwork and imaging done beforehand that had some abnormalities on it with a 1:320 titre and high c-reactive protein but he said healthy people can have that so by looking at me, I should be healthy. He did some weird pushes on my arms and legs but because I could resist, that also meant I was healthy.

He almost sent me out without doing more bloodwork or SOMETHING but I asked if we could go more in depth.

He said stiffness, brain fog, purple toes/fingers, and redness on my cheeks (butterfly type) aren’t autoimmune symptoms at all and he can’t help me with those. I admit I looked him up online later and he’s only been practicing for 4 months.

I’m extremely disappointed but I’m going back to my doctor to ask for a different referral.