As for the endo, no, it doesn't cause joint pain/swelling, but it can often cause fatigue and lower back pain. And like you said it just makes you feel crappy in general. Endo gets worse the more estrogen you have in your body, but I don't think that endometriosis itself affects the estrogen levels. Not really sure on that one, though, guess I've never thought about it.
I didn't realize that there was chest inflammation they couldn't see on x-rays. Ugh! If they can't see it on x-rays then how do they know it's there??
As far as lymphoma goes I thought that since my CBC was within normal limits that this rules out any kind of cancer? Am I continually making blithe erroneous medical assumptions?? I definitely planned on asking about the swollen lymph nodes. Mine are often painful, though, which I think is a good sign, because with cancer it's painless, right? (oops, was that another wrong assumption?)
The rheumy sent me some paperwork to fill out ahead of time -- it's a nice huge long list, so I should be able to get down all of my symptoms. Of course, if he's like any other doctor, I'll spend ages carefully filling everything out and then he won't even bother to read it.
Thank you for all of your help -- I know that you're having a hard time typing right now so I really appreciate it. I hope your increased drugs kick in SOON and you start feeling better!!
-------------------- jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC