Have you thought about seeing a new doctor ? You can shop around for a new doctor It’s allowed. We often forget we are the ones paying for insurance.
I would also ask your doctors office for doctor notes from let’s say your last 2 years of visits. (It may or may not cost you $.)But I’d read those notes and decide if this is the doctor you want and need. (Ask yourself while reading notes what has he done to help you in that 2 years) Has he sent you for X-rays MRI’s or to specialist or to physical therapy ? If not it’s time to become your own best advocate and you start calling the shots of who you think you should see since he’s got no direction at this point. I’m sure you will get lots of directions and ideas from people here on Alike to help you too. I think I’d start by getting a referral and seeing a Rheumatologist. And maybe get into physical therapy to get more opinions of what’s going on. This is a great start if you’ve done any of this already. Next ask your doctor for labs ask for these four labs to be done. It’s not his insurance, it’s yours and you pay for them so ask for these services. Do not be shy. This is for you and you’re important. These are most common tests for inflammation:
**Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate or ESR). This test measures how fast red blood cells settle to the bottom of a vertical tube of blood. When inflammation is present the red blood cells fall faster, as higher amounts of proteins in the blood make those cells clump together. While ranges vary by lab, a normal result is typically 20 mm/hr or less, while a value over 100 mm/hr is quite high.
***C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein made in the liver tends to rise when inflammation is present. A normal value is less than 3 mg/L. A value over 3 mg/L is often used to identify an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but bodywide inflammation can make CRP rise to 100 mg/L or more.
***Ferritin. This is a blood protein that reflects the amount of iron stored in the body. It’s most often ordered to evaluate whether an anemic person is iron-deficient, in which case ferritin levels are low. Or, if there is too much iron in the body, ferritin levels may be high. But ferritin levels also rise when inflammation is present. Normal results vary by lab and tend to be a bit higher in men, but a typical normal range is 20 to 200 mcg/L.
***Fibrinogen. While this protein is most commonly measured to evaluate the status of the blood clotting system, its levels tend to rise when inflammation is present. A normal fibrinogen level is 200 to 400 mg/dL.
If your on thyroid medication it may fluctuate your numbers. If you see the Rheumatologist they most likely will want these tests done along with other labs. but make sure you ask to make sure these are included. You do have to have a doctor who’s willing to listen and have new treatment options Available to you, if you don’t that’s not called health care your just stuck in limbo and you won’t get the help you deserve. Let me know if you have any more questions or need help.