excruciating rolling, radiating pain

[bzybzybzy716]

My mother-in-law has been experiencing excruciating pain that is radiating up her body.  At times it starts behind her knees and rolls up to her waist.  The pain is strong enough to knock her down. At other times the pain starts in her fingertips and rolls up through her shoulders and neck to her head.  When the pain reaches her head, she ends up passing out for a minute or two.  This pain started about two years ago and happened only a few times in the year.  Now it's happening at least once a month - often enough that she's hesitant to drive because she might lose her ability to control the car.  Her primary care physician has sent her for an MRI which showed nothing unusual.  He then sent her to a rheumatologist saying that she probably has arthritis.  Would a trip to a neurologist make sense with these symptoms?

[bzybzybzy716]

Thank you for your recommendations.  She's been working on getting her primary to refer her to a neurologist.  This information should help.

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
You must consult a neurologist since the symptoms seem to be related to nerve pain or neuropathy. Arthritic pain is felt in the bone joints and not all over as felt by your mother in law. The causes of neuropathy are  toxins, autoimmune responses, nutritional deficiencies and vascular and metabolic disorders. Please go for nerve conduction studies and consult a neurologist. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!