Concerns About My Father’s Health
My father has been experiencing persistent body aches since the start of this year. It all began with discomfort in his head, which progressed to his neck and shoulders, and now he’s also dealing with pain in his feet. He has swelling in his right foot and is suffering from pain in his left shoulder. Despite visiting a variety of specialists, including his primary care physician, a neurologist, an orthopedic surgeon for his shoulder, a foot specialist, a cardiologist, and an endocrinologist, no one has been able to diagnose his condition so far. Today, he consulted a different rheumatologist after the previous one dismissed his symptoms as inconsequential. The new doctor has ordered blood tests, and we are currently awaiting comprehensive results. However, his C-Reactive Protein (CRP) level returned at 62, while the sedimentation rate measured 45, which are both notably elevated. Since New Year’s, he has been prescribed prednisone three times, and although he experiences temporary relief after each round, his pain returns upon discontinuation of the medication. There have been no signs of fever or chills from him, but he continues to have swelling in his left foot and pain in his right shoulder, accompanied by an unexplained loss of weight. The emergency room and cardiologist have ruled out Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Additional lab results include: - Lymphocyte percentage: 14.1% (normal range is 15-49%) - Absolute neutrophil count: 6152 (normal range is 1500-7800) - Absolute lymphocyte count: 1128 (normal range is 850-3900)
Answers (1)
3/28/2025, 4:30:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your father is going through a challenging time with his persistent body aches and swelling. The elevated CRP and sedimentation rate suggest that there is inflammation in his body, which could indicate an underlying issue that needs further investigation. Here’s a structured summary of the situation and some next steps you can take.
Main Points
- Symptoms indicate potential inflammation, which can be associated with various conditions.
- Continued investigations and blood tests are essential to identify the underlying cause.
- Temporary relief with prednisone suggests a possible autoimmune condition or inflammatory disorder.
Explanation
Your father’s ongoing pain and swelling, along with the inflammation markers (CRP and sedimentation rate), hint that there may be an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory disease, despite the absence of an obvious diagnosis. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of autoimmune arthritis could be possibilities, but further testing is needed to clarify the situation. The fact that he experiences temporary relief from prednisone could support this idea, as corticosteroids are effective in reducing inflammation.
The lymphocyte count is slightly below normal, which might be relevant in the context of his overall health and ongoing symptoms.
Next Steps
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Continue with Blood Tests: Wait for the results from the comprehensive blood tests ordered by the new rheumatologist. This may provide more insight into his condition.
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Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep a detailed log of his symptoms, noting when they worsen, any new symptoms, changes in weight, and response to treatments like prednisone. This information can be crucial for the rheumatologist.
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Discuss Other Therapeutic Options: Once the blood tests are available, discuss with the rheumatologist the possibility of other medications or treatments that may help manage his symptoms more effectively than prednisone, which only provides temporary relief.
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Evaluate Lifestyle Factors: Encourage your father to maintain hydration, eat a balanced diet, and engage in gentle exercises, as tolerated, like stretching or low-impact activities, which can help with body aches without overexertion.
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Consider Additional Opinions: If symptoms persist without a clear diagnosis, it may be beneficial to consult additional specialists or consider a multidisciplinary approach, which can include physical therapy, pain management consults, or even a second opinion from a different rheumatologist.
Ensure your father feels supported during this difficult time, and reassure him that understanding his condition is a process that takes time. Let me know if you have more questions or need further information on specific conditions or therapies.
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