[58F] Experiencing muscle pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, weakness, and memory issues

What might be happening

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

• Fibromyalgia: This is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It's often accompanied by tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.

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

• Peripheral Neuropathy: This condition results from damage to your peripheral nerves, which often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in your hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body.

  • Treatment involves managing the condition causing your neuropathy. In some cases, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Other times, your doctor might recommend prescription medications or physical therapy.

• Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain crucial hormones. Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

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

• Vitamin B12 deficiency: This can lead to a variety of symptoms including fatigue, weakness, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and memory problems.

  • Treatment usually involves supplementation with vitamin B12.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and other conditions could also explain your symptoms.

What you can do

You should definitely see a healthcare provider for a formal evaluation. They may order blood tests, imaging studies, or other diagnostic tests to help determine the cause of your symptoms. In the meantime, you could:

1. Try over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage your muscle pain.
2. Apply warm or cold compresses to the painful areas.
3. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule to help manage fatigue and cognitive symptoms.
4. Stay active, as regular physical activity can help reduce pain and improve your mood.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if:

• Your pain, numbness, or weakness becomes severe or rapidly worsens.
• You experience confusion, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• You have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting spells.

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.