Sometime around
1995 I realized I was ill. The doctors realized it sometime in 1998. It
started out that I was just tired all of the time. "Well, you have major
depressive disorder and two young children; that's normal--feeling tired,"
the doctors told me. But I knew they were wrong; this was not "normal tired."
This was pure physical exhaustion. After really pushing (read: annoying)
my doctors, they finally started checking many different blood tests. Meanwhile
the pain started. Joint pain, muscle pain, just pain. Their conclusion
is that I have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. For me, this is a combination
of Lupus (SLE), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Rheumatoid Arthritis
and Raynaud's Disease. The following links will provide you with information
about these diseases (and more) and hopefully if you recognize yourself
or someone you love in this information, you will seek help--and get it.
If you'd like to
add my banner to your site email
me with the word "banner" in the subject line.
These links will
provide information on various aspects of medical testing.
Clinical
Immunology Tests
Interpretation
of Lab Test Profiles
Lab
Tests Common for Lupus
Laboratory
Testing in the Rheumatic Diseases
What
blood tests are done to help diagnose and monitor Lupus?
These links will
provide information on finding doctors specializing in "alternative medicine.".
American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians
American
College for Advancement in Medicine
These links will
provide general health information.
CDC
Web Site Health Topics A to Z
Science-based
Information on Alternative and Complementary Medicine
HealthCentral.com
ICD-9-CM:
Check here to see what your diagnosis code means.
Mayo
Clinic Health Oasis
Optimal
Wellness Center
RxList:
Check your meds here.
Merck
Manual Online Sections
At one point the
doctors thought I had a thyroid disease, so I have collected a few links
that you may find helpful.
Thyroid
Home Page
Thyroid
Disease Information Source
Thyroid
Society
Endocrine
Diseases
These are a few miscellaneous
links.
FootSmart:
This site is a must if you suffer from foot problems!
InfoMIN:
This site is a must if you suffer from chronic pain or fatigue!
I
HAVE SCLERODERMA: This site has information on CREST (a form of scleroderma)
as well.
Human
Biological Data Interchange: A Resource for Genetic Research - Diabetes
- types I and II, Thyroid Disease and Autism
Choice
In Dying ...the nation's experts on end-of-life care.
Polycystic Ovary
Syndrome links:
Dr.
Legro's (my OB/GYN)
Hershey
Medical Center's PCOS pages
OBGYN.net
PCOS PAVILION
PCOSupport
General
Information About PCOS
More links will be
added when I have the chance. If you have any suggestions, please email
me with the link.
I'm not just too tired,
I'm 
tired.
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