Should I give up trying to solve my mystery medical problems?
Disclaimer: I'm not asking for medical advice, but I have been feeling really lost lately and I don't know what to do at this point.
For the past 10 years, I have had various health issues that concern me. I have constant pelvic pain, low back pain, headaches/migraines, acne, hair loss, bloating, joint pain, dizziness, and swollen ankles. I've been to multiple PCPs, dermatologists, and obgyns, as well as a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, and cardiologist. I've tried different medications, had blood work, ultrasounds, x-rays, a CT scan, and a laparoscopy. No doctor I've seen has been able to find the cause, and no medication or change in diet/lifestyle has helped relieve any of my symptoms.
I feel like I live a healthy lifestyle. I did various sports growing up, and all of my doctors seem happy about my diet and exercise. The last few doctors I saw didn't even have a referral for another specialist for me to try, they all seem at a loss.
At the end of the year, I'll lose my health insurance from my parents, and my job doesn't provide any benefits. Although I make a decent salary, it's not enough for me to afford my own health insurance, and my salary is too high to qualify for Medicaid or receive much government assistance.
I'm now a few thousand dollars in medical debt and no closer to finding answers than when I began really pursuing solutions.
I know how important it is to advocate for yourself as a woman in the healthcare system, but is it worth it to continue at this point? I feel like most (but not all) of the doctors I've seen have taken me seriously and have genuinely tried to work with me. I don't feel great, but I'm not in an emergency health crisis, and I'm still able to push through and live my life for the most part.
Is it worth it to keep searching for answers? Or should I accept that my life might just be like this? Does anyone else have experience being in this position?
Posted Nov 1, 2023, 3:57 PM UTC