Help!! undiagnosed

[arabidopsis]

I have been miserable for quit some time. In the last few years I have had months of severe aching pain in my calf muscles and behind my knees but this pain can occur else where to, like in my arms and groin (worse at night). Other symptoms include sore & slightly swollen lymph nodes in my groin, soar throat, depression, fatigue to the point of disorientation, itchy skin , erythema nodosum, and anal bleeding (hemorrhoids nothing serious). Right before my period my symptoms get real bad and I get addition symptoms like night sweets(where I wake up and my clothing is soaked) and pain in my left side (about six inches below my heart -I think my spleen?). I am trying to finish my PhD but am really struggling because some days I just can’t get out of bed and sleep all day (which seems to help but really messes up my school work). It seems like when I ache real bad sometime I will in turn get real tired to the point of disorientation but at this point the aching is reduced or stops. So most of the time I am aching or in a state of disorientation which really sucks. I was a sick child growing up (epiglottitis, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, learning disability, very antisocial). When I was first born I got rheumatic fever and until the age of four I had a pronounced red rash on my face (lupus like butterfly rash).
Six months ago I went to a rheumatologist who put me on 10mg of prednisone and did a lot of blood work. All the blood work showed was a slightly elevated ana test (which has shown up slightly positive the last three times I have had blood tested) and high potassium level.  The doctor said it was nothing to worry about and my immune system is likely a little messed up. Now I am on nothing but an antidepressant and I take 1mg melatonin to help me fall asleep through the pain. I take up to 16 ibuprofen a day. Some night I have to take 4 ibuprofen ever couple hours which helps a lot but I still can feel the pain in my calfs. I don’t know what to do at this point. I eat healthy, try to remain stress free, and try to exercise ( I use to run college track but now it seems like running makes everything worse to I just walk a little).

If any one knows what could be wrong with or has any suggestion please let me know. I am willing to try anything at this point!!!

[arabidopsis]

thanks i really appreciate it :)

[PlateletGal]

I'm going to send you some information that may be helpful... you may want to check your inbox in a few minutes. I've been there myself (I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).

[arabidopsis]

One time, one node swelled up as big as a golf ball. It hurt bad. The doctor thought it was a hernia, but I kept insisting it was a lymph node. In about 2 months it went back down to normal size.

[arabidopsis]

yes.

[PlateletGal]

Are your lymph nodes tender when you touch them ?