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Differential Diagnosis for 56 Year Old Female with Muscle Weakness, Decreased Mobility, and Stomach Pain

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): This condition is characterized by muscle weakness and pain, particularly in the shoulders and hips, which could explain the decreased mobility. Stomach pain could be related to gastrointestinal side effects of NSAIDs used to treat PMR or other associated conditions like giant cell arteritis.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Osteoarthritis: Could cause muscle weakness and decreased mobility due to pain and reduced joint function. Stomach pain might be related to NSAID use for arthritis management.
  • Diabetes Mellitus: Can cause muscle weakness and decreased mobility due to neuropathy and myopathy. Stomach pain could be related to diabetic gastroparesis or other gastrointestinal complications.
  • Hypothyroidism: Muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and stomach pain can be symptoms of hypothyroidism, possibly due to metabolic slowdown and gastrointestinal motility issues.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Although less common in women, an abdominal aortic aneurysm could cause stomach pain and, if ruptured, could lead to severe back pain and decreased mobility due to internal bleeding.
  • Pancreatic Cancer: Can present with stomach pain, weight loss, and decreased mobility due to pain or metastasis. Muscle weakness could be a symptom of advanced disease.
  • Multiple Myeloma: A type of blood cancer that can cause bone pain, leading to decreased mobility, and muscle weakness. Stomach pain could be due to hypercalcemia or amyloidosis affecting the gastrointestinal system.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Dermatomyositis: An inflammatory disease characterized by skin rash, muscle weakness, and decreased mobility. Stomach pain could be related to gastrointestinal involvement.
  • Mitochondrial Myopathies: A group of disorders that affect the mitochondria, leading to muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and potentially stomach pain due to gastrointestinal dysmotility.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control. Early symptoms can include muscle weakness and decreased mobility, but stomach pain is less commonly associated with ALS directly.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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