Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Arm Pain - MS or Other cause, where to start

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Arm Pain - MS or Other cause, where to start

    One of my longer lasting symptoms is right arm pain. It is now starting in the left and the right arm pain is worsening. I am going to call doc, but was wondering if any one had insight at to whether or not it could be MS:


    1. I have constant pain, usually less in am but gets worse as day goes on
    2. I gets worse with any use...dishes, cutting, writing, typing, even petting dog.
    3. I sometimes ask my husband to lightly karate chop it or pull on it to fully extend it - it gives me a momentary break, almost as if nerve signals interrupted for a fleeting few seconds.
    4. Extends from shoulder to fingers including thumb and pinky. I have major numbness in right arm and hand - don't even feel IV for Tysabri anymore and forget fine motor control. Weird how numb it is, but still painful at same time. Hot and cold are delayed response, and cold is painful.
    5. Used to feel like a blood pressure cuff was on, but now, just chronic.
    6. No swelling, injury, or warm areas.
    7. No bulging discs or structural issues on MRI. Lesions from C2-C6, largest at C6. Lesions on brain as well.


    Can it be MS or does the fact that it worsens with use rule out MS?

    I know it needs testing to determine cause(s). Just wondering if I start with neuro or go elsewhere.

    Thanks
    Kathy
    DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

    #2
    It makes sense to start with your neuro. You have known lesions from C2-C6, and structural issues have already been ruled out by MRI.

    If you were to start with your primary, your PCP would want to look for 1) structural issues, which you've already done, and 2) neurological issues, some of which are already known, and which is what your neuro is for.

    The fact that the pain worsens with arm use doesn't automatically rule out MS as a cause any more than fatigue that worsens during the day would rule out MS as a cause. (We know that MS fatigue can worsen during the day.)

    Your neuro will know if you need a referral to another specialist.

    Comment


      #3
      pennstater, I've experienced a few years of 'burning cold' pain in my arms and hands, with episodes of paralysis in my rt arm/hand. By the time I was dx/w MS, the most painful and persistent episodes resolved, now just always present as a burning cold numbness, exacerbated by activity involving my arms. Even wearing shirt sleeves, coats, or arms heating up just from wearing long sleeves can cause increased pain and reduced arm/hand function. Exposure to cold temperatures cases painful numbness in both thumbs and middle fingers. One of my MS docs provided a definitive explanation for the sx involving my thumbs/middle fingers, wish I could remember!

      At one time I had a diagram of the brain and spinal cord with corresponding areas of the body. It's probably still available via google search if you're interested. You should talk with your MS doc about treatment. Meds I've tried over the years were either ineffective, or I experienced med intolerance or side effects. Of course ruling out other possible source/cause for your sx is SOP.

      The most accurate description for my arm/hand sx is associated with phantom limb pain syndrome associated with MS c-spine lesions. According to my MS doc and clinical exam, my c-spine lesions are responsible, although nothing has shown up on MRIs of my spine.

      I hope this resolves soon and keep us updated.

      Comment


        #4
        Arm Pain

        The pain you describe in your arm is the exact pain I have in my right arm. I am amazed that you were able to describe it so precisely. MS pain is so real. I am sorry you have this pan. I get my husband to rub my arm at times, but there usually is no pain relief.
        Melissa--Betaseron 2007-2010; Novantrone 2008; Tysabri 2010-2012; Rituxan 2012; Tecfidera 2015; Currently-No DMD

        Healer is my GOD!

        Comment


          #5
          I thought I had a pinched nerve in my left arm. Doctor said it was not caused by MS and suggested I have PT. She gave me some exercises to do and the pain finally went away. I continue to do them daily. Had no idea how out of shape I was!

          Good luck.
          toot

          DX 1986 currently on TY
          Copaxone 2003 to February 2015

          Comment


            #6
            I have the same type of pain that you are describing. I had no idea what it was and thought it might be carpal tunnel which I have had in the past.
            It turned out to be problems with my shoulder. The pain I was feeling was deferred pain. Doing shoulder exercises and stretches does help me, but I have also had to have surgery on one shoulder.
            This is not something that I want to do again...ever. I have also had cortisone injections in both shoulders which has helped.
            This may not be what is going on with you at all, but I would have never thought the hand/arm pain was from my shoulder....just a thought.

            Comment


              #7
              jreagan70 - thx for the insight. I kind of thought the same, guess hoping usage would rule out MS since that would mean correctable.

              msw1963 - sorry to hear you had it too. Cold can be so painful. I have had relapses across shoulders where showering and clothing were tearful events -I prayed it was shingles . I feel for you with that type of pain. With first neuro, when more numbness, he said consistent with my cspine lesions, with a question on the pinky, as no visible lesions at C7.

              tired teacher - sorry you also have this. will let you know what is found.

              toot218 - seems funny to say, but glad it was pinched nerve and heling was successful. pt exercises are always great to continue.

              gwynnf - thanks as well. I am sure the surgery and recovery was painful in itself. glad you did get relief. I have also thought out carpal tunnel, but I have pain in areas not usually associated with carpal tunnel. I have also thought about referred pain. Hope you continue to do OK.

              I have not called neuro yet, so much going on. Plus, as stupid as it is, if it winds up being MS, I just don't want to hear it.

              I guess I can't put it off though. Will update once get tested.
              Kathy
              DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

              Comment


                #8
                Just off the phone with my neuro. He reviewed symptoms, pain locations, what makes it worse, range of motion I reported, MRIs, xray from last year and prior PT notes. He said could be arthritis in neck, but since no pain in neck, sounds like spasticity.

                Given right hand and arm are oldest symptoms, spasticity in right leg, which thankfully spasm, but not painful, probably good chance it is. Trying baclofen, have to call back Thursday. If not relieving, then he said may want to try steroids - depending on my tolerance for pain. If relapse or arthritis, may help with inflammation. I just have to determine if I want that.

                Thanks.
                Kathy
                DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                Comment


                  #9
                  I get major pain in my left arm with numbness in my fingers, especially my pinkie and ring finger. The neuro thought it was a pinched nerve and that I needed surgery. He ran a test (an EEG,I think) but he didn't find anything wrong. He even gave me a heavy pain reliever that didn't work.

                  I saw a massage therapist and she helped it a lot. I have a super stiff and spastic neck. And no balance. When I use the rollator, I tend to lean on it heavily, so muscles in my neck, shoulders, chest and arm suffer the most. I use a rollator part of the day, and a wheelchair in the evening. I use a heating pad, wet towel heated in the microwave, even pounding, hot water in the shower.

                  Get tested, but my suggestion is to try a massage therapist.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by pennstater View Post
                    One of my longer lasting symptoms is right arm pain. It is now starting in the left and the right arm pain is worsening. I am going to call doc, but was wondering if any one had insight at to whether or not it could be MS:
                    [LIST=1][*]I sometimes ask my husband to lightly karate chop it or pull on it to fully extend it - it gives me a momentary break, almost as if nerve signals interrupted for a fleeting few seconds.
                    I have what I think is almost constant nerve pain. The only relief I get is to do something similar to what you have described. I sometimes hit my arm on things to counter the pain. I have my son squeeze it, karate chop it and sometimes punch it. It is the only momentary relief I get.

                    I hope you get some relief.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by amyrising View Post
                      I sometimes hit my arm on things to counter the pain. I have my son squeeze it, karate chop it and sometimes punch it. It is the only momentary relief I get.
                      Causing physical trauma to your arm could end up causing you more pain and other problems.

                      Have you tried a (kinder and gentler) TENS unit to see if it blocks the pain impulses?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Pain in the Arm

                        Hello pennstater and everyone else,

                        I too have suffered from a stabbing pain in my right arm, like a stabbing from the inside out, really strange. For momentary relief I tend to rub my arm subconsciously which is how my wife knows that I am hurting. My PCP did all the routine tests to rule out everything else and then in conference with my neuro they decided it was most likely nerve pain from MS.

                        My neuro offered up methadone but I'd heard bad things so I went on Norco (Vicodin) and it worked great for the five years or so that I really needed it. Once they changed the pain med Rx procedure, I wasn't thrilled with how intrusive the program seemed like it was going to be and I seemed to have a higher tolerance for pain and the pain was less frequent. Now I have 800 mg Motrin for when I need something to take the edge off the pain and it just does the trick.

                        Just one more reason to have a strong dislike for this disease!

                        MS TOO

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by jreagan70 View Post
                          Causing physical trauma to your arm could end up causing you more pain and other problems.

                          Have you tried a (kinder and gentler) TENS unit to see if it blocks the pain impulses?
                          Yes, I am easy on myself most of the time. I only resort to the hitting and squeezing when I just cant take it anymore.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Quick update - the baclofen has taken the edge off the pain and I can now stay awake after taking it! The first few days, I was out! Fuuny, I now feel pins and needles again, I guess the pain masked that. I also know something is wrong with my elbow, so need to get that looked at.

                            ClearBluSky - thx. I may look into massage therapy. It sounds awesome.

                            amyrising - sorry you have this too. At least I know I am not alone with the karate chop...my husband thought I was nuts! Too bad relief lasts only aslong as the chop.

                            MSToo - sorry you experience pain as well. I also rub my arms when bad, so my husband and a few others have picked up on it. Glad the Motrin helps when needed.
                            Kathy
                            DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Arm Pain. As doctors tests rule out other issues, I say that the issue is MS

                              What do doctors show that rules out ms? Not blaming all issues on ms but surely I hold a few to blame. My doctors sight jerky legs as " restless leg syndrome " but I will blame my ms for these involuntary movements. As I would the " Arm Pain " described here.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X