I understand that frustration. I've been going through similar things.
When I finally did go in to see my rheumatologist, they took a whole lot of blood that gave me 2 pages of blood tests and then shrugged after only finding that I had elevated CRPs (sign of inflammation somewhere in my body), insufficiency in Vitamin D (all the jokes were had at my house after), and elevated ANR (indicator that I may have an autoimmune disease/disorder). Then he told me that I could come back in 6 months (probably for more of the same tests). I was not about to wait 6 months while I haven't been able to work since April 10th (it was May 22nd).

I looked at the list of symptoms and started looking up online "what doctor do I see for this issue?" and started asking for referrals or asking if I can go straight to those specialists. I'm still in the process of illuminating the whole picture of my physical health/ailments, but I'm much closer because I was the politely squeaky wheel who did a lot of my own research to figure out who to go to.

Tell them *all* of your symptoms, and *all* of the supplements/meds you're taking. Always be honest because the answers you give can highly affect the outcome. If it really hurts, say it really hurts. I had several doctors tell me "have you considered maybe you're under a lot of stress and that's why you're experiencing these symptoms?"

I replied with, "I've dealt with abusive parents in my childhood, depression and anxiety for a majority of my adult life, I know what mental fatigue and crippling anxiety feels like. This is much different. I don't feel a lack of will or hope, I feel ready to get stuff done and figure out what's wrong with my body. I just physically can't lift things that are too heavy or run for any given amount of time because I physically feel *exhausted* (along with shakiness, dizziness, nausea, numbness and tingling in my extremities, and later on bloody stools and abdominal pain, etc)."

Do not let them tell you it is all in your head. Ask for tests. If they don't give them to you, say "oh, okay. You are the expert. Could you please put it in my chart that you recommend it isn't necessary to test me for that?" It isn't necessarily a threat, it is important for other doctors to know what has already been considered if you seek out a second opinion. Though doctors tend to see it as a threat because... well if they were wrong and it was on record that they were wrong a denied you a test that you had a suspicion about... that is *all* on them, but it's *your* life and their career on the line. Why take the risk?

That request to put their statement on record is the most magical, powerful phrase you can ever adopt as a medical patient, just double check if those things (tests and what have you) are covered by your insurance if you have it. If not, you'll want to look into your options for insurance. There's always something.

As of 2 days ago, I already know I have proctitis, but now I'm trying to make sure the cause is confirmed so that it's treated properly and I'm going to see a neurologist in August. The specialist I saw assumed it was ulcerative and not infectious, but I have no shame. I want to be tested JUST IN CASE, because I believe the worst thing is to treat for the wrong ailment, and let the infection spread when it's a simple swab/blood test that'll take less than a week to come back.

Had I listened to that rheumatologist (the one who said come back in 6 months), I'd be at home waiting, and *maybe* going to see the same specialist in NOVEMBER and then eventually potentially seeing another specialist, then discovering I have colitis (the entire colon, instead of just the end portion) or colon cancer instead of just proctitis.