Muscle Spasms, Bruising & Inflammation: Understanding Potential Causes

Question
My Mother has been having many medical problems that seem to have no answers. Lately her blood work has been showing some sort of inflammation. Sometimes for no reason at all her arms or legs will get sharp pains and immediately contort themselves. It is almost as if her muscle is contracting and not releasing. It is very painful for her and I have to help her straighten out her fingers and arms. Her foot will almost completely turn in a 180. After these episodes bruises will occur on her limbs that suddenly stiffened. She is also very deficient in potassium. She has had fluid building up around her heart which she has had tapped but it still continues to build up and no one knows why. She has a blood pact in her liver. She is only 40 years old. None of the doctors in our area seem to have any idea of what it could be nor do they want to extend any help beyond prescribing medication. I have convinced her to go elsewhere but I am afraid that this needs immediate attention. Any idea of what it could be and what area to look into would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Ashley,
Unfortunately this does not sound good. The source of the problem is probably very complex and needs a thorough diagnostic workup. I can not offer an opinion without a lot more information. Not knowing where you live I can't give you a specific place to take her, but if there is a University Medical Center nearby, I would look there first.