I have had a bit of a journey with chronic pain/autoimmune problems so thought I'd share in case it helps you although very long!
I had chronic pain and chronic fatigue symptoms for several years. All tests at Dr came back normal. My GP and physio suspected fibromyalgia but this was discounted by a rheumatology consultant. Dr and Rhuematologist suggested various drugs to help with pain/sleep but I wasn't keen on a lifetime dependent on pharmaceuticals. In desperation I looked away from mainstream medicine. Firstly I joined Tumeric user group uk on Facebook and started taking their Golden Paste recipe. It helped with the paintremendously and I felt it was better than taking continual ibuprofen etc round the clock. However I felt this was just a sticking plaster masking the underlying issues that no one could seem to diagnose.
Eventually I came across a condition called adrenal fatigue which isn't really recognised here in the uk but is in many other countries. It just had all the symptoms that I was experiencing. Some more research provided advice that if you think you have AF you should see a clinical nutritionist asap. The clinical bit is important a regular nutritionist is unlikely to be the right person to see.
So I found a local ex-NHS CN for a consultation. At one point she said she loved people like me "because I'm such a textbook case" how I loved to hear that. Somebody found me textbook❤️❤️
So this is where it may help you OP. My problems all stemmed from decimated gut bacteria caused by the use of too many antibiotics and stress. (Poor diet, too much sugar, processed foods etc also adds to these problems though I've always eaten pretty well so didn't really apply in my case).
As a child my mother would have us on anti biotics frequently, i also had a very traumatic childhood all of which can add to stress in the gut. Later in life due to repeated cases of cystitis I was also put on a three month course of antibiotics. I was very prone to food poisoning also and would pick it up v easily on holidays etc.
So I had to do some unpleasant tests to analyse my gut bacteria flora and sure enough it was decimated and I also had a nasty food positing bug called helicobacter pylori living in my gut!
So when gut bacteria is decimated bad bacteria in the gut thrives, this invades tissues in the body and can manifest itself in multiple ways, chronic pain,fatigue, eczema etc. The CN estimates that the vast majorly of inexplicable autoimmune symptoms are due to issues with gut flora and there an increasing body of medical research to support this (the map my gut study is a good place to start).
Furthermore and this is the bit if find most interesting new research has shown that not only does bad bacteria affect our tissues it actually gets to our DNA. We all have patches on our DNA that can expose us to intolerances and allergies. They are either present in our DNA or they are not. But bacteria can actually get to the DNA and activate these intolerances! My CN suspected I'd developed gluten and dairy intolerances and gave me the option to send a DNA sample to the university of Toronto for analysis. I duly did and the results came back positive for both. It also highlighted various vitamin deficiencies in my Genetic makeup
So I have been prescribed a course of adrenal repair supplants, gut cleansing plus pre and pro biotics, and particular supplemt to address my vitamin imbalances and I feel I am about 95% cured at present. I have also had to adopt a low gluten/low dairy diet.
Sorry for longest post ever but if it helps you or one other person I thought it worthwhile! 😁