Question: I am a diabetic and have been suffering from severe joint pain for the past two years. Almost every night I get horrible joint pain. Some days it'll be my left leg and it will hurt at my ankle, my knee and where my leg touches my pelvic bone. And then it seems to rotate to my other leg the next night and then my right arm continuing with my wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The pain is unbearable and I can't sleep. I've asked my doctor and all she said was that I need to keep hydrated and eat bananas. I do all of that and the pain doesn’t stop. I just don’t know what to do anymore. What would you suggest?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
You need further evaluation, and perhaps a change of doctor. Ask your doctor for a referral. If your doctor feels uncomfortable evaluating your complaints, be sure she refers you to someone else. Be sure to insist on at least something to relieve your pain and be sure to change doctors if your complaints are not taken seriously.
Much more information is needed to consider before options for treatment can be discussed. I am not sure if this is joint pain, muscle pain, a circulation problem, neuropathy or a combination of factors. In any case, joint pain that migrates to each leg as well as involves the upper extremities may indeed result from poor hydration, but may also be caused by numerous other conditions.
Usually bananas are advise when patients’ potassium levels are low. But sometimes potassium cannot be raised with bananas alone and it may be a sign of some other condition, such as hypertension. Magnesium and potassium levels are often diminished in patients on diuretics, and should be checked periodically in addition to routine electrolyte checks of sodium, chloride, potassium, and creatinine. Electrolyte disorders are very common causes of muscle aches.
Are you on a statin drug for cholesterol? These drugs can also cause muscle aches in some people.
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