So there is this "syndrome" associated with endometriosis, which currently has no pathological diagnostic tests. It's called visceral hypersensitivity or visceral endometriosis. Since endometriosis can manifest without tumors (yes, they are benign tumors) being visible to the naked eye - aka microscopic endometriosis - it is possible that microscopic lesions are responsible for many of the "idiopathic" symptoms of endometriosis.
Let me be clear. I have joined several groups supporting women with endometriosis and endometriosis research. All of my closest friends with endometriosis started suffering from visceral symptoms between the ages of 25 and 30. All of them. Now I am included among them. There is a very slight, infinitesimal, chance that I have (mild) Crohn's disease in my small intestine. The chance is so non-existent that my GI felt comfortable dismissing it without a barium enema/CT scan or this camera that takes pictures of your intestines. But I still have symptoms - mild bloody diarrhea, constipation, pain, difficulty digesting protein or milk products, severe food sensitivities (milk, eggs, salicylates, sulfites), severe skin sensitivities, vitamin deficiencies (malabsorption). There is obviously something wrong, but no one knows what that something might be. My inflammation levels are moderately elevated, which could explain some of my symptoms (joint pain, eczema, "hay fever") but not others (food sensitivity, malabsorption, chronic infections). This is a common cycle for people with endometriosis.
I'm currently in a position, as a grad student, where my employer/mentor has the ability to be lenient. But you can only ask for so much leniency with no diagnosis.
I have another sinus infection(?) or ear infection or something. I have a doctor's appointment today. I've already been cleared by the EENT. Auto-immune seems the most likely diagnosis, but it could be another 1-2 years before a diagnosis. (I've already been waiting for 7 years.) Hopefully they find a diagnosis before it destroys everything I've worked for. I've spent 10 years getting to grad school. Now I just have to survive it.
