Anyone any ideas on DH's symptoms

[Retsina24]

Good evening.
DH has such a range of symptoms and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of similar.
His circulation is terrible and has been for years (varicose vein surgery a years ago when he was in his late 30s). He still has terrible varicose veins. Over the last few months he's had recurring pain in his foot to the point where he can't walk. It often resolves very suddenly.
He has very achy tired legs all the time and is generally quite fatigued. He seems to have lost muscle mass. Over the past two weeks he has been really struggling with a strange sensation when walking (regular feeling but not all the time). He describes it as feeling like the floor isn't there and he then stumbles. It's making it hard for him to be his usual active self and it's making him anxious and he says he also feels dizzy. He has shooting pains in his feet and legs.
He went to the GP today who basically said they didn't know what it was but they have referred him to rheumatology (how long will that take?) Autoimmune disease and family history were mentioned. He's going for bloods at the end of the week.
I'm wondering if it's to do with circulation or an illness or something else entirely. He's generally not a complainer so I feel like for him to be worried is making me worried.
Well done if you've read my waffle this far. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Thank you

Does he wear socks for his circulation? Knee length compression socks worn during the day will really help with the circulation in his legs and feet. Worth trying whilst waiting for referrals....

i would be concerned about MS with that set of symptoms.

I would be pushing for a neurology referral.

What about his general health? Overweight, fitness, smoking, alcohol?
any family history of neurological or autoimmune problems, or diabetes?

When I get off the bus and start to walk I look like someone off the soft mint advert. It's like there's no pavement under my feet just marshmallow. Apparently that's ear related!

Vertigo, enlarged prostate, stress/anxiety, or gout are 4 things that came to mind.
I'd recommend a private prostate mri to rule that out while waiting for referral.

Thanks all.
Apologies, I've never learnt how to tag people on my phone 🙈.
SleepingisanArt I bought him compression socks a few years ago for a flight. I bet he still has them somewhere. Good idea to dig them out. Will do that tomorrow.

LapinR0se that was something (one of many) that crossed my mind. Would rheumatology investigate that or would that be a different dept?

Grrrr. We will see what comes from rheumatology (and hope that the wait's not too long) and then see if we need a different dept. Neurology sounds so scary.

Whatdoyouwantforxmas. He is very active, walks a lot. Does drink too much and too regularly.His mum is unwell. Still awaiting diagnosis. Parkinson's was mentioned but now they are saying it's probably not that but they're not sure what it is.

Rowgftc72 interesting. I don't think this was mentioned as a possibility by the GP. Maybe because of his other symptoms.

DNlove thanks. Will mention these to him.

MS and Parkinson's come to mind with those symptoms. I'm not a medic of any sort though, just someone with close relatives with those illnesses.

Good luck op.

I'd see a neurologist. It could be nerve damage or just nerve pain in combo with circulation issues. Rheumatology can rule out issues with blood tests. I have similar issues from Covid, and my neurologist has been the main help, my nerve pain is almost gone now. It's not scary. It's mostly looking at symptoms and maybe an MRI.

Me, too.

Having said that, it could be neither, but it needs investigating and I would also push for a referral to neurology - don't wait until he's had the other referral, it could take ages, push for both now.

What is the condition of his skin like, especially on his legs & feet?

Poor circulation makes me think of a cardiac problem so I'm interested in why this doesnt seem to be being explored. Of course, gp may be not wanting to do multiple referrals at the same time, which is understandable! I would ask them though, why they're referring to rheumatology at this point and not referring elsewhere so that you can understand they're thinking.

The rheumatology referral suggests the gp thinks - or wants to rule out - a mechanical issue.

He's really bad at going to the GP (which is how I know he's worried now) so I doubt I'll be able to get him back to push for another referral.
Having said that if he continues to struggle and has to wait ages for referrals he might be persuaded.
Thanks for all thoughts and suggestions

I hope you get some answers quickly.

How old is DH may I ask?
How is the his agility with doing tasks like buttoning shirts?
The stumbling , lack of muscle mass are certainly indicating something. And as someone has already suggested you need to be referred to a neurologist.

Thank you.
He's 45. Agility with tasks like buttoning etc is fine at the mo

Ok do watch out for particular changes. My father was misdiagnosed as Sciatica when he was stumbling.
He has muscle loss.
And then curving of fingers slightly

Was eventually refereed to neurologist via the NHS but the same neurologist saw him on privately first. Dad had private healthcare and maxed out all the options.

Please see a gp at the earliest for referral.

App13, thanks for your thoughts. I will definitely watch for changes. May I ask what your father's diagnosis was in the end.

Sadly and most heart wrenching, my father was diagnosed with MND. his increasing symptoms showed that with passage of time.

I hope its nothing serious for your husband.

It might not be what you want to hear, but muscle loss could be motor neurone disease?

if he drinks too much too regularly, it could be Gout. This is usually a specific pain in and/or surrounding the large big toe.

Sorry to hear this App13.
This has crossed my mind but hopefully it's not this.

Musicalfan, I've told him to cut the drinking completely in case it's something aggravated by that. Think some of his other symptoms suggest not gout but will read about it further. Thank you.

Breaking cover to say please, please, please get a neurology referral, even if you have to pay for it.

Also,
Dad had nerve conduction studies done on his chin to complete the diagnosis.

That was the last referral on his private healthcare.

GPS and often A&e doctors end up misdiagnosing.

So yes please get a neurologist onto this.

Thank you. He's getting bloods taken on sat so he's not willing to do anything until threat come back.
I'm off to Google how to start the process privately just in case I can persuade him to do this.

Appointment for rheumatology has come through by today. Marked urgent for end of Jan.
A long time away but also with the way the NHS is at the mo I think this is probably very quick.

Lupus is a possibility too
It's an autoimmune disease which affects various organs but also causes Neuropathic damage