Widespread Pain: When to See a Specialist for Neurological Issues - Neurology

Multiple areas of pain in a short period of time?

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Over the past month, I have been experiencing various pains throughout my body.
Initially, I consulted a specialist, but due to the wide range of symptoms and the duration of the issue, I began to wonder if it might be related to nerve or blood problems.
I am preparing to see a doctor but am uncertain about which specialty to consult, as I am not sure if these issues are isolated or indicative of a systemic problem.
I will explain my situation in detail, and I apologize in advance for the length of my message.
First, my medical history: I have experienced chest tightness, pain, and shortness of breath since childhood.
In my teens, I visited a cardiologist due to frequent heart pain, and I was diagnosed with mild thalassemia.
Over time, I became less concerned about the heart pain, as it seemed to improve in frequency, except during intense exercise when I would feel short of breath and nauseous.
I also experience leg numbness after squatting for a short time.
Due to my anemia, my menstrual cycle has been irregular, sometimes delayed by up to three months.
When it gets severe, I take traditional Chinese medicine (like Si Wu Tang), which usually helps restore my cycle the next day.
In the past month or two, I have not had my period for about four months.
I have tried Si Wu Tang and other herbal remedies without success.
I initially planned to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for treatment, but I began experiencing pain in multiple areas of my body, which made me hesitant about whether to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor or a Western doctor, fearing that a traditional practitioner might not detect underlying issues.
The pain began with my right knee, which hurt at night, especially when pressing on the joint.
A few days later, my left knee started to hurt as well.
Simultaneously, I began experiencing abdominal pain at night, which lasted for several days but was not constant.
The pain varied in location: sometimes in the upper abdomen, sometimes in the left upper quadrant, and at times in the right lower quadrant.
I even suspected it might be related to my uterus due to the daily pain.
I first consulted a gastroenterologist, who suggested that I had a buildup of fecal matter.
Although I was regularly having bowel movements, after taking medication, I found that I was going less frequently.
Once I finished the medication, the daily pain subsided, and I felt relieved, but I still experienced intermittent pain, particularly in the right lower abdomen, and occasional pain in the area just below my chest.
After the knee pain, I began to experience pain in my right elbow, which led me to believe there might be an internal issue.
I decided to see an orthopedic specialist, initially thinking there would be no problems.
After the orthopedic consultation, I planned to visit a hematologist or rheumatologist.
However, the doctor informed me that my knee showed significant wear, with the right knee being worse than the left.
I was advised to take medication and undergo rehabilitation.
The doctor found no issues with my elbow, attributing the pain to tendon problems, and I was given topical medication.
After completing the knee medication, the pain became less frequent, and I thought my condition had improved.
Recently, however, I have been experiencing an increasing number of issues.
I had sudden pain in the outer side of my right thigh multiple times.
I had previously had a pencil lead embedded there, but it had been a long time, and a dermatologist had previously assured me it was not a concern.
I wondered if this was now causing problems, but shortly after, I experienced similar pain in the outer side of my left thigh.
The pain typically lasted only a few minutes.
I also experienced sudden pain in my left shoulder and back, as well as in the groin area.
I often felt as if I had strained my muscles, starting with my knees, then my thighs, and now my ankles, which felt like they were frequently twisting.
However, these sensations would usually resolve themselves within a day or two.
I also experienced sudden joint pain in my feet and fingers, which would subside after a few minutes.
Recently, I have had more intense and sudden pain in my calves, which has been difficult to tolerate, and I have been using muscle relaxants for relief.
A few days ago, while brushing my teeth and bending slightly, I suddenly felt significant pain in my lower back, but when I bent fully, the pain disappeared.
Six months ago, I had an X-ray for tailbone pain, which showed normal results, with only soft tissue injury noted.
The doctor said it would heal in one to two months, but I still experience pain after prolonged sitting, although it has improved significantly.
I am unsure why this pain has suddenly intensified.
Additionally, two days ago, I experienced sudden and severe pain in the inner side of my left wrist (near the veins), which lasted several minutes and required rubbing to alleviate.
I have also been experiencing frequent heart pain, sometimes accompanied by pain in the right side of my chest and a feeling of shortness of breath.
I would like to ask:
1.
Could these symptoms indicate poor blood circulation or insufficient blood supply? I have previously experienced similar symptoms related to inadequate blood flow to the heart.
Could this recent severity be causing these issues? If so, would seeing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner be sufficient?
2.
Given the widespread nature of the pain, could it be a nerve issue?
3.
Since the pain is widespread, I feel it is not isolated to one area.
I have seen specialists for my knee and gastrointestinal issues, but while they provided some relief, they did not resolve the underlying problems.
Are the issues with my knee and gastrointestinal system separate, or could they be interconnected?
4.
Based on my symptoms, can you provide any preliminary insights into what might be happening with my health? I would like to be mentally prepared.
5.
I have previously consulted a cardiologist for heart-related issues, but my heart has been cleared of problems, and my orthopedic X-ray results were normal.
Given my current symptoms, which specialty should I consult next?

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Niming, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/03/18