I posted this in the TOS forum and wondering if it might apply here also because I do have neuropathy in my feet.

A few months ago I had a pain in my upper right arm. When I moved my arm back I heard a "CLICKING" sound and the pain went away. A couple of days later the same thing happened with my left arm. Now it's both arms. It is not a constant pain, only when I move my arms a certain way.

My doctor had x-rays taken, and said they showed some arthritis in my shoulders, but not much. I did some physical therapy, and more at home but I don't think it has helped. I do have "Idiopathic Neuropathy" in both my feet, and I sometimes have a slight feeling of pins and needles in my hands.

I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in about a week. I'm wondering if anyone else hears a "CLICKING" sound when moving arms to alleviate the pain. I really don't want to go through more tests. I've seen 3 different neurologists for the neuropathy, and many different tests that did nothing but tell me there was no cure.

I've been reading about TOS here on the support groups, and wondering if that's what I have. I actually diagnosed my own neuropathy, because the doctor didn't know what I was talking about. I looked up my symptoms online, and brought her all the info. She said, "Hmm, very interesting". From there I went to different neurologists, and had an EMG, MRI, Scans, and tests for PAD, all of which showed nothing. I was told I have small fiber neuropathy because it doesn't show up in the EMG.

I really don't trust doctors because I have been through too many tests that tell me the same thing...."They don't know what causes it, and there's no cure". I'm very curious to know if anyone else experiences a "CLICKING SOUND" associated with pain. It really is loud enough that even my DH can hear it.

Before I had any pain I was doing some stretching exercises with a resistance chair, thinking it would help with my cholesterol. I know I did them all wrong because I was stretching the cables way above my head, and going too fast. I noticed the pain about 2 weeks after I stopped doing those stretches. I think I did something because all of a sudden it's both arms. It's been about 4 months since then, and I keep hoping it will get better, but it's isn't....:

Clicking sounds usually signal tendon movements.

Grinding crunching sounds signal joint inflammation.

Popping sounds usually signal air moving within a joint.

I've had numerous clicking episodes in various places.
But I typically don't have pain.

I wonder if you have used a fluoroquinolone drug in the recent past? This family of antibiotics, affects tendon metabolism, and may even lead to a tendon rupture.
Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox etc.

As we age the tendons become less flexible also. Pulling suddenly may damage them compared to when we were younger. I had a severe tendon injury in my left hip/groin it took YEARS to heal up. And today, I still get twinges in it, and my flexibility in that leg is less. The blinding pain is gone however. I had ultrasound and IFc treatments for 3 months for it.
The technical diagnosis was a adductor strain. I was warned to not stress it again, as the tendon may detach and then I will be in a heap of diability and need surgery and a body cast!

I was given Levaquin about 10 years ago for about 2 weeks for a viral infection. I broke out in a rash and it was then listed on my medical records as an allergic reaction. Since then I have been given Cipro each time I had a followup for a bladder problem (about every 3 to 6 months). In fact I was given it 2 weeks ago. I mentioned this to the nurse but I found out that they still gave me Cipro. Are they so ignorant that they don't know Cipro is comprable to Levaquin??

Dear Mrs. D, do you think I should mention this to the orthopedic surgeon I will be seeing in a week? Is there anywhere on the internet that I can get some info that you mentioned about the fluoroquinolone drugs affecting tendon metabolism, and also a site explaining the different sounds you mentioned.

"Clicking sounds usually signal tendon movements.
Grinding crunching sounds signal joint inflammation.
Popping sounds usually signal air moving within a joint."


I wouldn't hesitate to bring any info on this to the doctor, before he can recommend tests that I feel are only to tell me what it is but cannot help me.

There is a black box warning about tendon damage and fluoroquinolones. But most doctors don't understand the process.

You should mention it, but don't be surprised if your doctor doesn't know about it.

Here is a link with the black box warning:
http://www.rxlist.com/cipro-drug.htm

My advice to you is not to overextend ANY tendon in your body.
Any of them may be affected and rupture without warning.
This can happen months and years after taking these drugs.
No heavy lifting, no high weights on resistance machines, no stretching beyond gentle.

Unfortunately no one knows why or how to manage this side effect. I haven't seen anything yet to show treatment for it unfortunately.