Severe Pain in Legs and Arms? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Dallas, TX
Severe Pain in Legs and Arms? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Dallas, TX
Waking up with sharp, persistent pain in your arms and legs can be very concerning—especially when it’s tough to move and you’re feeling unusually tired despite a full night’s sleep. It’s completely understandable that you’d want to quickly find out what to do next. Maybe you’ve heard that low iron might cause some symptoms, but this pain feels different, and it’s making you anxious.
This post is here to help guide you through the initial steps you can take in Dallas, TX. We’ll cover which types of doctors are best suited to evaluate your symptoms, what common tests and visits might look like, and how much you can expect to pay if you’re paying out-of-pocket. Our goal is to give you clarity and confidence as you decide to seek care—you’re in the right place.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Dallas, TX
Based on your severe pain in arms and legs along with fatigue, several types of doctors could be a good starting point in Dallas:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who diagnoses and treats a wide variety of health concerns. They are a great first stop to evaluate your symptoms, run initial blood tests, and guide further care.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Specialists in adult health who can address complex symptoms, order detailed lab work, and manage ongoing conditions.
- Rheumatologist: These doctors focus on autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that might cause joint, muscle, or widespread pain.
- Neurologist: Experts in nerve and muscle disorders, they can evaluate nerve function and identify possible nerve-related causes of pain.
- Emergency Medicine Physician: If the pain is severe and worsening quickly, or if you experience additional symptoms like chest pain or fainting, urgent care or emergency care might be appropriate for immediate evaluation.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of typical procedures and estimated self-pay costs for these providers in Dallas, TX. These costs are averages based on available local data.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A thorough check-up where the doctor discusses your symptoms, performs an exam, and plans tests or treatments.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $193.57 (typically ranges from $145.18 to $241.96)
Provider Availability: Based on 494 providers in Dallas. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) test (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: This blood test checks your red and white blood cells and platelets to help diagnose infections, anemia, and other conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.07 (typically ranges from $9.12 to $25.03)
Provider Availability: 24 providers offer this test. -
Procedure: Iron level test (CPT Code: 83540)
Purpose: Measures the amount of iron in your blood to check for deficiencies that could cause fatigue or other symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.99 (typically ranges from $7.60 to $14.38)
Provider Availability: 11 providers offer this test. -
Procedure: Kidney function test (Creatinine level) (CPT Code: 82570)
Purpose: Measures how well your kidneys are working, important if pain might be related to muscle injury or other organ issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.38 (typically ranges from $6.07 to $14.68)
Provider Availability: 29 providers offer this test. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: A quick heart rhythm test to rule out any cardiac causes of symptoms like fatigue or pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.60 (typically ranges from $16.93 to $36.28)
Provider Availability: 133 providers offer this test.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed consultation to understand your symptoms and plan testing or treatment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.08 (ranges from $145.56 to $242.60)
Provider Availability: 508 providers. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: Checking for blood abnormalities that might explain your pain or tiredness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.47 (ranges from $9.10 to $17.84)
Provider Availability: 57 providers. -
Procedure: Iron level test (CPT Code: 83540)
Purpose: Tests iron to rule out causes of fatigue such as anemia.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.53 (ranges from $7.52 to $13.54)
Provider Availability: 23 providers.
Visit with a Rheumatologist
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Procedure: Office visit for established patient, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized assessment for autoimmune or inflammatory causes of pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $193.95 (ranges from $145.46 to $242.44)
Provider Availability: 55 providers. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: Evaluate blood health, often needed in autoimmune assessments.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.05 (ranges from $9.04 to $15.06)
Provider Availability: 21 providers. -
Procedure: Iron level test (CPT Code: 83540)
Purpose: Check for iron deficiency can be relevant in chronic pain conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $10.06 (ranges from $7.55 to $12.58)
Provider Availability: 8 providers. -
Procedure: Ferritin blood protein test (CPT Code: 82728)
Purpose: Measures stored iron in your body, useful for diagnosing certain types of anemia.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $21.25 (ranges from $15.94 to $26.56)
Provider Availability: 8 providers. -
Procedure: Blood draw (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: This is a routine blood sample collection to perform various lab tests.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $11.63 (ranges from $8.72 to $14.54)
Provider Availability: 27 providers.
Visit with a Neurologist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Detailed neurological assessment to investigate nerve or muscle-related causes of pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $192.50 (ranges from $144.37 to $240.62)
Provider Availability: 113 providers. -
Procedure: Needle electromyography test (EMG) (CPT Code: 95886)
Purpose: Measures electrical activity in muscles to detect nerve or muscle disorders causing your pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $451.84 (ranges from $100.54 to $803.15)
Provider Availability: 36 providers. -
Procedure: Nerve conduction studies (CPT Code: 95910)
Purpose: Tests how well your nerves send electrical signals, useful for diagnosing nerve injuries or impingement.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $266.30 (ranges from $184.34 to $348.25)
Provider Availability: 20 providers. -
Procedure: Therapy sessions using exercise (CPT Code: 97110)
Purpose: Physical therapy to improve strength and reduce pain; often prescribed after diagnosis.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $56.65 per 15 minutes (ranges from $28.04 to $85.25)
Provider Availability: 7 providers.
When to Consider Emergency Care
If your pain is rapidly worsening, you experience numbness, weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other urgent symptoms, an emergency department visit may be necessary.
- Emergency department visit with moderate complexity (CPT Code: 99284)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $341.23 (ranges from $142.07 to $540.40)
Provider Availability: 429 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Taking action now will help you get the answers and relief you need:
- Schedule an Appointment: Reach out to a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor first for a thorough evaluation. Rheumatologists or Neurologists might be recommended after initial tests.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down the details about your pain—when it started, how it feels, how it affects your movement, and any other symptoms like fatigue.
- Discuss Costs: When booking, ask the office about self-pay or insurance costs. The numbers here are estimates to help guide you.
- Seek Emergency Care If Needed: If your pain worsens quickly or other serious symptoms develop, do not hesitate to visit an emergency room or urgent care.
Remember, you’re doing the right thing by seeking professional advice. Early evaluation can make a big difference in identifying the cause and starting effective treatment.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.