Having watched the Autoimmune Summit recently, and learnt a great deal more about autoimmune illness, I am wondering how would one know if you had 'just' autoimmune illness, or ME/CFS or both?
I am sure that there are plenty in here with a diagnosis of both as I do have, but what if the symptoms I have are simply that of the known autoimmune illnesses, and that the diagnosis I had is false? How would I know?
I had ITP (ideopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) in pregnancy (ie low platelets) and observe that some 30 yrs later now they are still lower than normal.
I have Hypothyroidism which is autoimmune.
Also Lichen Planus believed to be autoimmune.
Also chronic gastritis which I believe to be autoimmune as I have had issues for 12 years, and it's not easily resolving despite trying many approaches, including food restrictions (how would I find out I wonder?). I believe I can improve that with further restriction as in autoimmune diet though.
All this over the last 30 yrs or so, and I am now 62. I gathered the ME/CFS diagnosis along the way some 5 yrs ago, ironically via an immunologist who did no tests on me whatsoever to confirm anything with bloodwork.
I cannot see anything especially in my symptoms that would not be explained by autoimmune illness - fatigue, immune dysfunction (seems to be improving currently under care of herbalist), needing to pace to avoid muscle pain, blood tests show low white blood cells, and low lymphocytes.
Although i do suffer from PEM to some extent, it was never severe, and I have nearly always slept well unlike many with ME/CFS.
I would be interested in any thoughts on this. I am tempted to reclassify myself and just say I have an autoimmune illness (or several!) if anyone asks now.
I am sure that there are plenty in here with a diagnosis of both as I do have, but what if the symptoms I have are simply that of the known autoimmune illnesses, and that the diagnosis I had is false? How would I know?
I had ITP (ideopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) in pregnancy (ie low platelets) and observe that some 30 yrs later now they are still lower than normal.
I have Hypothyroidism which is autoimmune.
Also Lichen Planus believed to be autoimmune.
Also chronic gastritis which I believe to be autoimmune as I have had issues for 12 years, and it's not easily resolving despite trying many approaches, including food restrictions (how would I find out I wonder?). I believe I can improve that with further restriction as in autoimmune diet though.
All this over the last 30 yrs or so, and I am now 62. I gathered the ME/CFS diagnosis along the way some 5 yrs ago, ironically via an immunologist who did no tests on me whatsoever to confirm anything with bloodwork.
I cannot see anything especially in my symptoms that would not be explained by autoimmune illness - fatigue, immune dysfunction (seems to be improving currently under care of herbalist), needing to pace to avoid muscle pain, blood tests show low white blood cells, and low lymphocytes.
Although i do suffer from PEM to some extent, it was never severe, and I have nearly always slept well unlike many with ME/CFS.
I would be interested in any thoughts on this. I am tempted to reclassify myself and just say I have an autoimmune illness (or several!) if anyone asks now.