Seeking Insight on Unexplained Symptoms in My 67-Year-Old Dad
Hello everyone, I'm sharing the health concerns my father is currently facing after undergoing an extensive series of tests over the past three weeks, yet we still have no definitive answers. At 67 years old and standing at about 6'1" with a normal weight, my dad has been diagnosed with celiac disease. For the last 18 years, he has adhered to a very strict and healthy diet as a consequence of this condition. Recently, he began to exhibit several alarming symptoms, including swollen hands and fingers, severe night sweats, and intense pain in his hips that escalated suddenly. This pain has persisted, making mobility extremely difficult for him; he struggles to rise from the couch without assistance. Although his hands are swollen—often described as resembling 'sausage fingers'—they are neither itchy nor discolored. For about a year, he has experienced mild aching in his hands, which he attributed to the natural aging process. Despite numerous blood tests, an MRI, a CT scan, X-rays, and consultations with various doctors, they remain uncertain about what is causing his symptoms. The initial results from a blood culture came back normal. He is scheduled to meet with an infectious disease specialist on Monday, as we are exploring all possible options. Both his ANA results came back normal, and according to the doctors, lupus has been ruled out. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations on potential questions to ask or insights into what might be going on, including any suggestions for specialists. Thank you for your help!
Answers (1)
9/3/2025, 10:20:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your father is experiencing very concerning symptoms, and I understand how challenging this situation must be for both him and your family. His issues, including swollen hands, night sweats, and severe hip pain, deserve careful attention.
Key Points:
- Persistent symptoms like those your dad is experiencing warrant thorough investigation for potential underlying conditions.
- Swelling, pain, and night sweats could suggest inflammatory or autoimmune processes, possibly related to celiac disease or other factors.
- Engaging the right specialists and staying proactive in discussions with his healthcare team is crucial.
Explanation:
Celiac disease can lead to certain complications, including autoimmune disorders and inflammation, which might explain some of your father's symptoms. The involvement of an infectious disease specialist is a positive step, as they can help rule out infections that may not have shown up in standard tests. Additionally, the MRI and blood tests need careful interpretation in the context of his symptoms.
Given the complexity of his situation, here are recommended steps you can take:
Actionable Next Steps:
-
Compile a Symptom History:
- Document the timeline of his symptoms, any changes that coincide with his dietary intake, and any other relevant health history (medications, family history of autoimmune diseases, etc.). This will provide valuable context for the specialists.
-
Prepare Questions for the Infectious Disease Specialist:
- Ask about conditions that could present with swelling and pain, even if blood tests appear normal (e.g., certain viral infections, reactive arthritis).
- Inquire whether conducting more specific tests related to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases could be beneficial, considering the normal ANA results.
-
Consider Rheumatological Input:
- Given the joint pain and swelling, consulting a rheumatologist may be advisable. They specialize in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions and might provide insight into whether his symptoms could be related to arthritis or another rheumatological condition.
-
Monitor Symptoms Closely:
- Continue to monitor any changes or new symptoms. If he experiences worsening pain, changes in mobility, or new systemic symptoms (like fevers), prompt follow-up is necessary.
-
Explore Dietary Involvement:
- Since your father has celiac disease, consider discussing with a dietitian if any specific dietary factors could be contributing, or if there are necessary adjustments given his current symptoms.
Your father's health is a priority, and taking these proactive steps can help direct the medical team toward a clearer understanding of his condition. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further clarification!
Related Questions
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.