pain in both arms. many tests, no answers
 

For the past 15 years I have experienced my strange malady. It used to come and go, not happending for months sometimes. Things have now changed and it is happening on a daily basis. My both arms start to ache and I start to perspire all over. This can last from one minute to well over an hour. I have not been able to tie this to anything such as food eaten, hot or cold, time of day, etc. My HMO has run every test they can think of and have found that I'm in good shape, i.e., heart and arteries in good condition, ditto for my spine, lungs and all other organs. Why does this happen? At times it hurts so badly that I am in tears. Sometimes it wakes me from a sound sleep but mostly (lately) it has been occurring in the morning, such as this morning when it started while I was driving to the gym for an exercise class. It lasted for more than a hour; no class for me. Anyone out there have any ideas?

Hi ~ I'm just picking at straws here, but something occurred to me - have they done an MRI with and without contrast material on your cervical spine? (neck) A problem in that area can cause your arms to hurt, although usually it's just one side or the other ~ but like I said, I'm picking at straws. :confused:

I sure hope they have you on pain meds that you can take as needed! You need something to knock this pain down!

I wish I knew or could think of something to help you. Perhaps someone will chime in with an idea. I hope so. God bless and please keep us posted! Hugs, Lee

thanks for your reply
 

I have had every test you can think of, including an MRI of my spine. My spine is A-okay, no discs pressing on anything. As you say, nerves cause pain on one side or the other and my pain is always in both arms. Meds such as ibuprofen do not work and I would not take anything stronger since these sessions can last for only a minute or two. Don't do well on drugs. A little bit goes a long way with me so I stay away from them.

Jeepers. :eek: I wish I could think of SOMETHING. :( But it sounds like you've covered everything.

When I was a child, my legs would hurt so badly that I couldn't walk at times. They X-rayed me, tested for all sorts of things, and found nothing.
Then as an adult, I had more X-rays done, and they found I was born with an extra vertabra ~ an L6 !! Why couldn't they find that as a kid??? DUH!!

Makes me wonder if they haven't missed something on YOUR X-rays or MRI. Recently on an MRI they missed seeing scar tissue ~ and it was important that they SEE it for my doc to treat me!! You don't always get a "Good" radiologist. :mad: Sometimes they're real dopes!

God bless, and I hope you find out somehow what's wrong! Hugs, Lee

Cervical ribs?
 

I had an extra cervical rib on both sides and they produced different symptoms: vascular and neuralogical on the left side but mostly pain on the right side! Having the ribs removed cured most symptoms including no more pain on the right side. The pain can be from pressure on the nerve trunk as well! You can also have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome from just too small a space in the T.O. spce and should avoid some kinds of excercise while doing those that open the Thoracic Outlet space. Good Luck!