Experiencing Bad Pain in Arms and Legs? Your Healthcare Guide in Los Angeles, CA

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Experiencing Bad Pain in Arms and Legs? Your Healthcare Guide in Los Angeles, CA

If you’re dealing with really bad pain in your arms and legs that won’t go away, along with feeling tired, weak, and sometimes short of breath, it’s completely understandable to feel worried and want to find answers quickly. Searching online shows you that many conditions could cause these symptoms, but knowing the right next step can be confusing and overwhelming.

This post is here to help you by explaining which healthcare providers in Los Angeles you might consider seeing, what kinds of tests or visits you can expect initially, and an idea of the costs involved if you’re paying out-of-pocket. You’re in the right place to start turning your symptoms into clear action towards feeling better.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Los Angeles, CA

Based on the combination of severe limb pain, fatigue, weakness, and breathlessness, a few types of healthcare providers could be helpful to visit:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat many health issues, ideal as your first stop for an overall evaluation.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Specialists in adult medicine who handle complex or chronic conditions and can coordinate further tests and referrals.
  • Rheumatologist: Specialists in inflammation and autoimmune diseases, often responsible for diagnosing conditions that cause joint or muscle pain.
  • Neurologist: Experts in the nervous system, who can evaluate nerve-related causes of pain or weakness.
  • Pulmonary Disease Specialist: Focuses on lung and breathing problems, important if you’re experiencing shortness of breath.
  • Cardiologist: A heart specialist who can investigate if your symptoms relate to heart or circulation problems.

Each provider type brings a unique perspective to your symptoms and can help narrow down the cause so appropriate treatment can begin.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of common procedures and visits you might experience with each provider type, alongside estimated costs for self-pay patients in the Los Angeles area.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A detailed 30-39 minute visit for discussing your symptoms, physical examination, and planning next steps.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.58 (typically ranges from $157.19 to $261.98)
    Provider Availability: Based on 799 providers in Los Angeles.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with report (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: A heart test to check for any heart rhythm problems possibly related to your symptoms.
    Estimated Cost: $33.63 (ranges $19.06 to $48.21)
    Provider Count: 295 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
    Purpose: Blood test to assess your blood cells, which helps detect infections or anemia causing fatigue.
    Estimated Cost: $14.28 (ranges $9.12 to $19.44)
    Provider Count: 24 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to check lung and chest conditions that might cause breathlessness.
    Estimated Cost: $51.81 (ranges $38.86 to $64.76)
    Provider Count: 70 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A detailed visit to assess ongoing and complex symptoms and manage your overall health.
    Estimated Cost: $204.24 (ranges $153.18 to $255.30)
    Provider Count: 1,176 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Heart function test to identify issues contributing to shortness of breath or pain.
    Estimated Cost: $32.62 (ranges $18.98 to $46.26)
    Provider Count: 529 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood count (CPT Code: 85025)
    Purpose: Blood test checking for infections, anemia, or other blood-related issues.
    Estimated Cost: $15.89 (ranges $9.12 to $22.66)
    Provider Count: 92 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to assess lung and heart-related causes of breathlessness or pain.
    Estimated Cost: $55.63 (ranges $41.72 to $69.54)
    Provider Count: 111 providers.

Visit with a Rheumatologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Examining joint and muscle pain to diagnose inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.
    Estimated Cost: $209.86 (ranges $154.49 to $265.24)
    Provider Count: 119 providers.

  • Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
    Purpose: Blood test useful for inflammation or infection screening linked to rheumatologic diseases.
    Estimated Cost: $18.85 (ranges $9.08 to $28.61)
    Provider Count: 12 providers.

  • Procedure: C-reactive protein (CRP) test (CPT Code: 86140)
    Purpose: Measures inflammation in your body; helpful for diagnosing various conditions causing pain.
    Estimated Cost: $12.55 (ranges $6.06 to $19.04)
    Provider Count: 11 providers.

  • Procedure: Hemoglobin A1c test (CPT Code: 83036)
    Purpose: Blood sugar control test, since diabetes can cause limb pain and fatigue.
    Estimated Cost: $18.02 (ranges $11.40 to $24.64)
    Provider Count: 9 providers.

Visit with a Neurologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Detailed neurological exam to find causes of nerve pain or weakness.
    Estimated Cost: $203.89 (ranges $152.92 to $254.86)
    Provider Count: 255 providers.

  • Procedure: Needle electromyography (EMG) study (CPT Code: 95886)
    Purpose: Measures electrical activity of muscles, helpful if nerves or muscles cause your pain.
    Estimated Cost: $161.33 (ranges $121.00 to $201.66)
    Provider Count: 88 providers.

  • Procedure: Nerve conduction studies (CPT Code: 95911)
    Purpose: Tests how well nerves send signals, detecting nerve damage.
    Estimated Cost: $364.82 (ranges $272.09 to $457.54)
    Provider Count: 45 providers.

Visit with a Pulmonary Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Evaluate breathing and lung function related to shortness of breath.
    Estimated Cost: $205.55 (ranges $150.04 to $261.05)
    Provider Count: 151 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging for lung conditions like infections or fluid buildup.
    Estimated Cost: $55.52 (ranges $41.64 to $69.40)
    Provider Count: 14 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood gases measurement (CPT Code: 82803)
    Purpose: Checks oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood, crucial for lung problems.
    Estimated Cost: $40.88 (ranges $30.66 to $51.10)
    Provider Count: 2 providers.

Visit with a Cardiologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Examines heart health and function as a potential cause for your symptoms.
    Estimated Cost: $210.27 (ranges $157.70 to $262.84)
    Provider Count: 341 providers.

  • Procedure: Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) (CPT Code: 93306)
    Purpose: Images your heart’s structure and blood flow to check for heart problems.
    Estimated Cost: $201.52 (ranges $137.46 to $265.58)
    Provider Count: 351 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Heart electrical activity test, standard for heart assessments.
    Estimated Cost: $33.75 (ranges $18.98 to $48.51)
    Provider Count: 287 providers.

  • Procedure: Ultrasound of arm or leg veins (CPT Code: 93970)
    Purpose: Checks for blood clots or circulation issues in your limbs.
    Estimated Cost: $323.71 (ranges $242.78 to $404.64)
    Provider Count: 64 providers.

Taking the right steps now can help you get to the root of your pain and fatigue so you can begin feeling better. Here’s what to do next:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact one of the provider types listed above — a Family Practice doctor or Internal Medicine specialist is a great place to start for a comprehensive evaluation.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms, when they began, any changes you’ve noticed, and questions you want to ask.
  3. Discuss Costs: When you call to book, verify the costs and any insurance details with the office, since the costs shown here are estimates for self-pay patients.
  4. Seek Care Promptly: Given your symptoms and the new onset of breathlessness, don’t delay in booking; early assessment helps rule out serious causes.
  5. Stay Positive: Remember, many conditions causing these symptoms are treatable, and seeing a doctor is the most important and empowering step you can take.

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 substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience severe symptoms or worsening condition, seek emergency care immediately.