[48M] Experiencing widespread muscle pain and tingling numbness

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible conditions include:

• Fibromyalgia: This is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It is often associated with morning stiffness and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

  • Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, exercise, stress-management measures, and healthy lifestyle habits.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet. It typically results in painful swelling that can eventually result in joint deformity and bone erosion.

  • Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage.

• Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain crucial hormones. Symptoms can include fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, weight gain, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness, elevated blood cholesterol level, muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, and pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints.

  • Treatment typically involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

Please note that these are just possibilities and not a definitive diagnosis. You should consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

What you can do

In the meantime, you can try the following to alleviate your symptoms:

1. Regular exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce muscle pain and stiffness. Low-impact exercises such as swimming or water aerobics might be beneficial.

2. Heat or cold: Applying heat, such as a hot shower or a heating pad, can help relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Alternatively, some people find that cold packs offer relief.

3. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonprescription medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) might help.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your muscle pain is associated with trouble breathing or dizziness
• You have muscle weakness or cannot move any part of your body
• You have severe, sudden or persistent pain
• You have redness or swelling in the painful area or a rash
• Your muscle pain is associated with a tick bite — these may be signs of a tick-borne disease