Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Arms And Legs

Posted on Thu, 19 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 Answered on

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My mother is 70 years old and in the ER for 3 days. She is experiencing episodes (so far 3 episodes) of extreme pain inside arms and legs. During these episodes she also has extreme chest pain and high blood pressure as well as jerking leg movement. My mother normally has very low blood pressure but during an episode the blood pressure goes through the roof. 220 over 120 during the episode. My mother is a doctor and she as well as the doctors are baffled. She has had 3 episodes of this extreme pain so far and each time she says it feel like she is going to die and she is not prone to exaggeration. Another detail is that the only thing she has tested positive for is influenza a h3.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nervous system involvement to consider and exclude.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Influenza H3 viral infection may cause muscles and body aches as well as may result in peripheral nerves irritation, so, this may explain at least partly your mother's symptoms.

Since episodes of very high pressure were present, central nervous system ( brain and spinal cord ) involvement by hemorrhage ( subarachnoidal ), or in the other hand, directly by virus ( meningoencephalitis ) are conditions to be taken in consideration too.

Neurological evaluation and central nervous system imaging ( brain and spinal cord MRI ) are necessary to evaluate and exclude nervous system involvement.

Discuss with your mother's Doctors about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad