Hello, I am trying to find out what is really wrong with me.  A friend of mine suggested that I might have MCAS.  But I truly don't know much about the disease.  I seem to have bounced from one disease/disorder to the next.  It can become extremely disheartening but I do try and stay upbeat.  I have suffered from pain and fatigue for a long time.   I began to think it was just me and that was the way it was going to be for me for the rest of my life.  I soon became too disabled to work, but I took care of my family and for that I am very proud.  I don't want that to sound vain or anything.  It is just that after a while it seems that all of the diagnosis begin to define you and your accomplishments begin to pale.  Raising three kids as a single mom was and is my proudest accomplishment.

Almost 5 years ago, I was finally diagnosed with Dercum's Disease and Lipedema.  It appears there is a strong correlation between that disease and MCAS.  I started getting treatment for Dercum's, and although not curable, I at least was trying to control the symptoms of pain and fatigue.  Fast forward to a year and a half ago where I suffered and withstood a horrendous pest infestation.  I was bitten all over and basically parasitized for a few months before I could get a handle on it and eradicate them.  Unfortunately, these little blood suckers managed to give me, my son, even my dog Lyme disease and Bartonella.  Okay, just one more hurdle.  

I finally moved a couple of times and left the infestation behind and began treatment for Lyme disease.  That, on top of the Dercum's Disease has made life just that much more challenging.  But I refused to let that stop me.  So I moved out to a little place in the country with the hopes of having an organic vegetable farm and possibly rescue a horse or two.

Now, I am faced with "something" else,  "something" new.  I am going into be tested for MCAS in a couple of days.  I don't know if having it is a good thing or bad thing.  Like many people, sometimes knowing what it is that you have is a good thing, but in truth it is a mixed bag.

My skin, which has always been super sensitive (if I just stand down wind from poison oak it will spread through my body like wildfire) has never been my friend.  Now, I feel tiny little bites but I never see anything.  I don't know if I am facing a new pest infestation, or if this could be some kind of systemic effect.  I think sometimes I can get one tiny little bite and I feel itchy all over my body.  I hope that this is what is happening because that would be better than having to deal with some kind of new pest infestation.  So I am worried.

I was wondering if anybody here has ever felt like they were being bitten by a bug, or feel constantly itchy.  And if so, what they have been able to do about it.  

I hope that tells you a bit about me.  I will try and write a bit more later on...just kind of tired due to the constant lack of sleep.  I really struggle with insomnia.

Best to all of you and thanks for letting me join.

Terry