Doctor fails to diagnose Lupus, can I sue for malpractice? Please help! (Connecticut)

I’m looking for any insight or advice. I’ll try to be as concise as possible but I’m autistic and there is a lot of information so please bear with me and thank you in advance if you make it to the end :’)

38 year old woman with long history of health problems. Previously treated by a private-pay doctor for 10 years until she retired in December 2025. Symptoms include: chronic pain, effusion of the knees, scalp pain & rash, hair loss, anemia, bradycardia with dizziness upon standing, histamine intolerance, painful periods, night sweats, GI issues.

In 2021, I fell down the stairs and had an x-ray of my coccyx. I thought it was broken or fractured, but it was just badly bruised. However, the x-ray showed osseous ankylosing of the pubic symphysis, meaning the joint at the front of my pelvis had turned into a bony fusion. This does not just happen, it’s a result of prolonged, severe, systemic inflammation. I didn’t read the report myself, and there was no follow-up by my doctor about treatment or referral to a specialist.

In 2024, I had a breast cancer scare which prompted me to get a full body MRI. It showed spondyloarthropathy of my entire spine, another consequence of severe inflammation. Again, there was no follow-up, even though my symptoms had worsened and I would experience severe back pain from doing simple chores. At the time, I didn’t understand the severity of the imaging. She continued to treat me with Tramadol, ibuprofen, and chiropractic care.

Finally in 2025, I asked for referrals for physical and pelvic floor therapy. She made the referrals, which no mention of the ankylosing or the spondyloarthopathy. I threw my back out while doing the exercises given to me by PT shortly after starting and I never went back. I was having a really hard time managing my compounding health issues, researching daily, approaching my doctor and asking for testing. She brought up my PTSD as cause for my symptoms and suggested therapy, even though I was in therapy. Not long after that, I got the results of a comprehensive GI test that I requested, which showed that my gut was in a severe state of dysbiosis with leaky gut, SIBO, and a parasitic infection.

Fast forward to now, I’m seeing a new doctor who listens to me, refers me to the appropriate specialists and addresses my concerns. Last week she dug through my portal and found the x-ray of the osseous ankylosing. She immediately ordered an extensive autoimmune panel. It came back positive for Lupus. Now I’m sitting here trying to process, with a fire lighting under me every time I think about the PTSD comments, and wondering how my medical care was treated with such disregard.

I’ve never sued anyone. It sounds scary, but I’m devastated. I haven’t been able to work for over a year. I want acknowledgement, and at the very least, to be reimbursed for the fees I paid her. So, does this constitute as malpractice? Do I have a case?