rfch 45:  Thank you for your concern and prayers.  I too am a Christian and if it weren't for the Lord Jesus Christ, I don't know what I would hang my hat on!  It is He that gives me hope for a brighter future (one way or another!).     Before all this started, I would have said it was amazing that you are ready for a hip replacement at 45 years of age.  Now, however, nothing would surprise me.  As a nurse, everything is supposed to make sense, there is always supposed to be an answer.  Everything is a clue on the road to the ultimate discovery of a diagnosis.  I didn't count on all these little side roads that either lead to a dead end or wind on endlessly without an answer, leading me to turn back again to the place I turned off.  Then I plod on hoping I made the right decision, never knowing if I missed something down that road or not.     For example, I also have the chronic Epstein Barr Virus, and a  hypogammaglobulinemia.  (The immune system consists of T cells and B cells which ultimately become immunoglobulins such as AgG, AgA, AgM etc.  These are what I am low on, by blood test.  I see a hematologist for monitoring.)  Now, I took a side road a year ago to see if perhaps the low immune system could be responsible for causing the Epstein Barr (which can cause lymphoma) to worsen, possibly causing some of my symptoms.  However, this proved to be a dead end.  All was still present, but nothing had worsened. I've taken more than a few of these side roads.  It is the Lord that keeps my frustration level at bay, and who keeps peace in my heart.     Please, let me know of your struggles along the way, and your successes.  On the day that we hear, "well done, thou good and faithful servant,"  I will look for you! Amen!