Hi Everyone,

I apologize in advance for the super long post but I am not exactly sure where to turn and I could really use some advice. So here it goes….

I went into congestive heart failure two years ago. when the doctors were running tests to figure out what was wrong with me they came upon positive ANA along with symptoms of lupus that I have been having for years, including joint pain, rashes, sun sensitivity, muscle aches, extreme fatigue. I had swelling in my legs and feet and a racing heart beat when i initially got sick. Was sent to a cardiologist who said I had sinus tachycardia and tried several medication before we found that Verapamil ER at a large dose worked. The rheumatologist I was referred to for the ANA was not convinced I had Lupus so diagnosed me with undifferentiated connective tissue disease. I also have celiac disease, Athsma, Raynouds, and restless leg syndrome. My rheumatologist has tried a couple of different meds, prednisone which was absolutely wonderful, Aleve which did nothing and Mobic which also did nothing. He took me off of the prednisone because i could not be on it long term. I am on Cyclobenzaprine and Requip for my restless leg syndrome but have successfully weaned myself off of the Cyclobenzaprine. Verapamil ER for my Tachycardia, Lasix for the swelling i get, and Flovent and Albuterol for the Athsma.

I just spent the night in the ER because i had severe swelling in my legs and feet and had fluid on my lungs. They gave me Lasix through the IV and said it was all related to my autoimmune disease, was a flare and sent me on my way.

I am very frustrated because i am on all of these meds and nothing seems to be working. I keep getting the swelling and get so short of breathe when i walk, my muscles hurt all the time and i am so so tired, i also cant lose weight for the life of me even when i eat right by cutting out sweets and moving to a green smoothie 1x/day. After seeing all of these doctors for the past couple of years and really not being in any better shape than I was then I think it is safe to say I am the one who is going to have to figure this out and help myself. I just want this all to end, I am so tired of feeling like crap all the time. I need some relief.

I have tried some different supplements such as cayenne, Magnesium, L-Argenine, Turmeric and they all seem to help for a bit and then stop working. I feel like i am not far from getting myself on the right track, but i am missing something from the equation. I am hoping one of you may be able to see a pattern or trend that i haven’t picked up on yet. Thank you in advance.