Question: I am a 48 year old woman with a history of SLE, Hashimotos, hypothyroidism and lichen Sclerosus. Recently, I had right, upper abdominal/rib pain that worsened each day and was accompanied by tachycardia and elevated blood pressure. As a result I had a CT scan. Due to drug allergies, I was given IV Prednisone prior to the CT scan. Several hours later, the pain was significantly reduced, thus I suspect inflammation, but has since returned. The CT scan revealed a thyroid nodule, a gallbladder polyp, a liver cyst, multiple, small scattered liver hypodensities and bilateral lung nodules. I am a non smoker. Cardio testing revealed non sinister arrhythmia and unexplained tachycardia. My resting heart rate ranges from 100 to 130. I do not have anxiety. Thyroid nodule is to be biopsied in two weeks subsequent to ultrasound. I am a professional person working over 60 hours a week. I am not looking for an excuse to take to my bed. I avoid taking medications when possible, exercise at least five hours a week and watch what I eat. Despite this, I have gained 20 pounds, developed hip and rib cage pain, have both right and left upper abdominal pain. I have high cholesterol, though I watch my diet. My TSH is a 7 while on .75 mcg of Synthroid, now increased to .88 mcg. I started at a TSH of 29, but went hyper after being on 100 mcg. My levels fluctuate wildly. I can't recall my TPO from when I was first dx with Hashi's, but it was high. I also have, and have had for several years, a lymphnode in my right armpit that becomes swollen and inflamed for a while and then subsides. Sometimes, it is so swollen that it interferes with lowering my arm completely. My neck glands are now also swollen and tender. Two months ago, I started having night sweats, up to 15 a night. I now have them during the day. The flushes occur every time I move at night and sporadically during the day. There is no rythme or reason to when they hit, but I now have at least 5 a day and like I said, up to 15 a night. They started suddenly about three months ago. This is with the heat turned off, windows open and a fan blowing. I don't sweat like people describe with night sweats. I get clammy, but I do not dampen clothing or bedding. The heat starts in my back, around my lower ribcage and moves up. I get very red, and now sport a constant Mylar flush on my face. I have been told the sweats/flushes are due to menopause, but given the totality of symptoms, I am concerned it could be more than just menopause. My physicians treat in isolation and nobody appears to be looking at all of these symptoms as a whole. Only my Endo appears to be looking at all symptoms as a whole. The above symptoms are starting to concern me. My sleep is terribly interrupted due to the night sweats and joint/muscle pain. I am very fatigued, have memory issues and have more joint and muscle pain than ever before. Despite the autoimmune diseases I have had for years, I have always felt like I could deal with them without impact on my personal and professional life. For the first time since being diagnosed over 15 years ago, I am worried. I am not sure what to do. Physicians, except for my endo, do not seem to take these matters seriously and dismiss many of these symptoms without even an examination (listen to breath sounds and that's it, even when I have said I have pain in upper right abdomen, like there is something there that can be felt when bending, etc.). I am told not to worry about the various nodules by some of my physicians, but the radiologist and the urgent care doctor are telling me I need to take them seriously and be seen by a gastro, pulmonologist and cardiologist immediately and then every three months, I don't want to be sick. I don't want to have to see doctors. I don't have time to do so, but I also don't want to be stupid. My health is important, and I want to be smart without being overreactive. What do I do? I should add that I have hoarseness that started 3 or 4 months ago. No throat pain, but food sticks in my chest when swallowing. Have had the sticking for a few years (bread, meat and pasta are the worst offenders). I take Plaquenil 200 mg 2x/day, Synthroid .88 mcg, Allegra d 24 hour 1/day, and restasis eye drops 2x/day.