| Re: Weakness but no pain
Yes. Usually pain and weakness go together but sometimes one predominates or precedes the other. There are a few autoimmune muscle and neuromuscular diseases. An easy screening test are blood tests for muscle enzymes CK and aldolase. These can fluctuate between normal and high, or be more elevated during flares, so that is the best time to get them checked. These are a number of blood tests that test specific antibodies as well, and a rheumatologist usually orders those. A neurologist can perform an EMG and Nerve conduction study, which will also lend support to a diagnosis if a muscle disease exists. MRI can show areas of inflammation too but because of expense is usually reserved for special or hard to diagnose cases. A combo of rheum and neuro specialists should be able to help you. Your neck may need an MRI to see if there is some spinal compression from disc disease or arthritis spurs.
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