What's the probable issue here?
 

I have had a number of 'possible' diagnosis, with nothing certain, or anything resulting in positive treatment. So here are the symptoms in as much detail as my memory issues allow me to bring forth:

1. Pain located in elbow. Sometimes it feels to be directly in the joint, while at other times the pain is located above the elbow on the back of the arm, or above the elbow on the side of the arm, or below the elbow where the forearm muscle reaches the elbow joint. Pain may also occur in the forearms.

2. Occurs on both arms, but seems to be much worse on the left arm.

3. Becomes worse with repetitive tasks such as typing.

4. Flares up when reaching out, such as to pick up a glass, with such intensity as to require me to either use the other hand to bolster the left, or to drag the item across the table until it is near the body, thus allowing me to lift it with less pain.

5. If the arm is left straight for more than a couple of minutes, then it becomes very painful to move.

6. If the arm remains bent while performing tasks like typing for more than a few minutes, then the pain begins to build throughout the upper arm, forearm, wrist, and hands. This is a combination of a sharp pain in the elbow and a pressure type pain throughout the rest of the arm and hands. The pain continues to worsen the longer I use it. Eventually I will feel pain building up in the neck and upper back. This will be accompanied with a pain located (it feels like) right below the shoulder blade.

7. Along with the pain noted in item 6, will be the numbing of the hands and wrists. The pain prevents determining if this will spread throughout the entire arm if the activity continued or not.

8. If the arm remains hanging freely for an extended period of time, this will also cause numbness to ensue, starting with the hands.

9. I should note that the strongest numbness occurs in the small fingers, but at the same time also occurs in the long fingers and thumbs but is just more mild.

10. Rest does nothing for these problems, other than immediate relief that only lasts until activity resumes, or until other symptoms start as noted in items 6 and 8.

11. I am already well medicated due to a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, Torn rotator cuffs, and degenerative disc disease. This includes Lyrica, hydrocodone, oxycontin, mobic, and a monthly iv infusion of lidacaine. These medications help, but fall well short of whats needed for the above noted pains and symptoms.

12. EMG studies rule out corpul tunnel.

All assistance in helping me to locate the correct diagnosis of this problem would be greatly appreciated.

I should have also noted that when the arm hangs loose, in addition to the numbness and pain with movement, will be a gradual buildup of pain which is alleviated with movement.

no advice, other than to keep seeking MDs till you find one that listens to you. :hug:

Do you have any pain in the neck, say an inch or two below the jaw? Also, any problems with the shoulders?

You might want to explore our Thoracic outlet syndrome forum (TOS for short)
*Especially if repetitive work or previous whiplash or such has occurred.*
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

and the TOS useful sticky thread-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
(start with post #1 it is a beginner crash course for TOS info w/ links)

Good to meet you!!
 

sounds like thoracic outlet to me! you need to find a doctor who specializes in shoulder injuries and have them evaluate you. some doctors dont understand the complexities of this issue and it's diagnoisis. a doppler study will confirm TOS. good luck

Hello tjautry
 

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Hope you can find a solution. Maybe it would be a good idea to consult a neurologist. The kind of arm pain you describe sounds like their is a neurological component. Is your Neck OK?. Sometimes Cervical problems can give pain in the arms and hands. This seems to be bothering you alot, so It would be good to have it investigated. I do wish you all the best. Please let us know how you do. ginnie

I do get pain in the shoulder. It feels like it is under the bottom edge of the shoulder blade. Pain in the neck, but that pain occurs more in the c4 to c7 range.

Hi tjautry
 

Please get an opinion. That C-4-7 range does cause arm and hand pain, but TOS also gets into the shoulder. You do need a neuro to sort through this. I am sorry this happened to you. Get some help with this if you can. We are in your corner at NT. ginnie

Related to pain in neck and under shoulder blade, you should check out what is called Parsonage Turner Syndrome, also known as Neuralgic Amyotrophy, or Brachial Plexus Neuritis. Many different names, but mostly they relate to what the cause may be. The more general name Neuralgic Amyotrophy does not suggest a cause, while Brachial Plexus Neuritis does. This can cause symptoms you mention, and more. It can also cause TOS since the muscles around the scapula weaken, causing the scapula to drop or wing. This can lead to TOS, arm pain, tingles, weakness, numbness etc. Check into it. Have your doctors think about it.

Gee, that sounds just like something I had when I played tennis and it was called tennis elbow back then. Some of the symptoms are so similar. I'll never forget that I couldn't even hold a sugar bowl without excruciating pain running down to my fingers. Just a touch to the elbow would make me scream out. I know that I was told to rest it...to ice it. It just went away in time. But if you aren't doing any activity to aggravate it, it sounds like a real pain in the neck.

I just reread your symptoms and see that you have numbness too. I didn't have that, I must admit. I didn't have a lot of what you have. I know how if feels to get no answers. I have a neuropathy in my foot and am almost ready to hop into a wheelchair or have an amputation the pain is so bad..no treatment that I know of. I hope you find something out. I'd be interested to hear your progress.

I am scheduled to see a Orthopedic Spine Specialist. Perhaps they will make more headway on these matters. Thanks for your input.