It’s hard to know what is connected and what is independent.
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EXPLORING SYMPTOMS
Aga has a family history of Crohn’s disease and has experienced intermittent symptoms affecting different parts of her body, but she does not yet have a diagnosis.
I have symptoms, but no full picture
I have family history of Crohn’s disease and a plethora of weird symptoms of my own but I have not been diagnosed and my GP so far couldn’t paint a full picture of what is going on.
I have on and off symptoms affecting my joints, skin, digestive system and potentially eyesight too. It’s hard to know what is connected and what is independent, and that makes me feel powerless to know what to do and what to avoid to keep those random symptoms in check.
By the time I see my GP, I am usually fine again
I have been reporting the coming-and-going symptoms to my GP over a few years now, but tests need to be done when the flare ups happen, and non-emergency appointments happen when NHS has capacity. And guess what - by the time I see the GP I am usually fine again and feel like an imposter taking up their precious time for nothing. Despite various test done in the NHS over time so far there is no conclusive diagnosis.
I don’t expect a full diagnosis after one visit, but it’s really hard to keep coming back to your GP for years to report random symptoms, some of which cannot be really evidenced on the spot as the flare has gone by the time we meet, and as a result we are always stuck being none the wiser.
The hardest part is the uncertainty
Uncertainty about what will get worse and how I am missing an opportunity to act early because I don’t know what condition I actually have.
I started tracking what was happening more systematically
I am more conscious about tracking what is going on systematically, and have a reliable way of recording symptoms for my own awareness and for more effective communication with the doctors too.
mOI helped me have a different conversation with my GP
Combined genetic and blood markers test done with mOI helped my GP consider immune condition more seriously and I have been invited for some more targeted testing recently. Maybe we will finally identify what is happening with me!
I was finally able to have a conversation with my GP that is supported by solid, comprehensive evidence they were not able to obtain before. The correlation of blood biomarkers with genetic predisposition data is very empowering. It is so great to reach an "aha!" moment after years of wondering what all the strange and intermittent symptoms could actually mean.
What I would say to someone else looking for answers
Investing in understanding your health is so important. Now that cutting-edge science is available at your fingertips to support your personal journey towards a diagnosis with robust data - why not take full advantage of it today?