Hi, my name is David and I have spent the better part of the last year trying find an answer. I have never been good at asking for help, but at this point I do need it.

On May 21st, 2023 I started experiencing an intense stabbing pain in the lower right quadrant of my abdomen. Since it was accompanied by a baseball sized protrusion I went to the emergency room expecting to be diagnosed with a hernia.

I was not. No answer was found and I continue to be a medical mystery.

The last year has included:

Through all of this, we have finally found a medicine (gabapentin) that lessens my pain. It works for a few months at a time before needing to be increased. I started at 200 MG a day and am up to 2,400 MG a day. The pain is increasing again.

There have been several diagnosis over the last 300 plus day, but all have proven to be wrong.

I have applied to be seen by the Undiagnosed Disease Network, but we do not know yet if they will even accept me. If that is a no, then I will attempt to get a consultation at the Mayo clinic.

What does this mean in practical terms?

It means that we have begun to financially struggle. My wife and I both work full time (though I missed a fair amount of work last year due to this condition) but the medical bills are daunting. I have lost track of how much has been paid off, but here is the current situation as well as what the path forward looks like.

We have been tightening our belts, but that can only help so much.

I don't realistically expect this to all disappear. If, however, we can make even a small dent it would make more of a difference than I can put into words. Even if the amount on the credit card was gone, we'd have a chance to try to stay ahead.

People have been so kind, and it has meant the absolute world to me. Living without knowing is frightening, and I can only hope that there will be an answer, or at least some relief.

Thank you for reading,

David