My doctor is currently trying to get to the bottom of a swag of vague problems that have plaguing me for ages and centre on intermittent muscle weakness and/or pain, twitching and cramps, a sensation of stiffness or cramping in my throat and neck muscles (tendons?)and also intermittent burning pain in various ( and varying) parts of my feet, toes and ankles.

I had Bells Palsy about 4 years ago which left me with some mild facial after effects but more importantly I was treated with Cortisone - supposedly for 2 weeks -but had enormous difficulties when the dose was reduced then cut out. I landed in ER twice, and it ended up taking nearly 6 months reducing the dose by miniscule amounts until I was completely off it.

When I was coming off the cortisone I had symptoms similar to those I am experiencing now with muscle cramps and twitching and jerking. In addition I developed problems with spontaneous small bleeds (cherry spots) on my skin, I had gastric irritation, major insomnia, I developed fat layers on my face and neck even though I am about 5 ft tall and about 7 stone,my liver function tests were abnormal and all in all I went from fit as a fiddle to a wreck within a few months.

Most of the problems eventually resolved but afterwards the prescribing doctor mentioned to me that I was "lucky" that I had not gone on to develop diabetes even though I had no previous risk factors. Now that these muscle problems seem to be recurring or worsening and I am also having problems with anxiety, racing pulse etc especially just before meals or when I have missed meals I am wondering whether it is at all possible that I have been left with perhaps some blood sugar regulating problems and that these things could be indicating hypoglycaemia? I am also wondering whether it could be linked with my bad experience with cortisone.

My current doctor is looking more along the auto immune direction or considering referral to a rheumatologist but to me it seems more muscle and/or nerve related than joint. (no swelling ,heat, redness, deformity etc).

Any thoughts or similar experiences?
Thank you