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General health

Pain in both upper arms....any ideas?

13 replies

Salteena · 02/02/2013 17:04

As the title says - my arms feel really achey and have done for months. If I raise my elbows out from my body, there's what feels like a strain in both upper arms, on the outside as opposed to underneath, iyswim,- and it's painful, in a burning/muscular way. Not bad enough to interrupt sleep or anything, but as it hasn't gone away and if anything has got a bit worse, I'm starting to be slightly concerned.

I usually lug far too many massive bags around so it could be that (and yes, I ought to stop), but I haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary to account for it.

Haven't consulted my GP yet and might well do so soonish, but in the interim, has anyone had something similar?

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digerd · 05/02/2013 09:29

It is still there but not so painful as it was, or I've just got used to it. As I am right handed and it is only my right arm, then it seems logical to blame my lap top. It is a smaller one and I need to bend my elbow more across my body. In my case I expect it is due to ageing grrrr

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spottyblanket · 05/02/2013 00:42

I had aching forearms for months - it felt as if I had been lifting weights 24/7 even first thing in the morning. Very tiring feeling. When it progressed to numb hands on a morning, with only my little fingers unaffected, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel. Seeing physio tomorrow for wrist splints, though I know I'll need it operating on....hopefully sooner rather than later.

My mum had carpel tunnel - it affected her upper arms only to the point where she could only sleep sitting up (for 1 1/2 YEARS until she finally got it correctly diagnosed - the op was instant relief).

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BurningBridges · 02/02/2013 23:14

If there's one thing I am always on the look out for, its arm pain threads!! I've had pain in armpits which is sometimes in upper arms, sometimes in forearms and palms as well, for nearly 2 years, it gets steadily worse. Feels like you've over-exercised. It gets so bad I can't even put a newspaper or umbrella under my arm for a few seconds, both sides.

I've been told its due to compressing the ulna nerve (on desk whilst typing), I did also see a rheumatologist, he seemed very interested, did some tests which came back all clear then he lost interest!! I googled at length and found it could be everything from serious circulatory disorder to cancer and the menopause.

I must get back to GP and ask her to look at it yet again though. sigh

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digerd · 02/02/2013 19:18

I have had this for the last few months and even had aches in my right forearm and elbow. But mine is apparently, according to my physio, too long on my lap top and my age. Is muscle ache and the associated tendons.
Got really bad in bed as always sleep on left side with right elbow bent to my left shoulder. so try to put my right arm on my hip almost straight. Strange thing is that I have never had it before, as had a lap top since 2006.

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Snusmumriken · 02/02/2013 18:42

I would really recommend seeing your GP and having a blood test. I was put on a course of prescription vita d pills for about a month, a multi vitamin would not have cut it.

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Salteena · 02/02/2013 18:38

Wow - glad to hear it was all resolved and your worries allayed. I've now taken a multivitamin! Will see how it goes. It certainly would be a relief to get rid of these annoying pains. Funnily enough they seem worse today.....quite worrying, esp. if you make the mistake of googling!

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Snusmumriken · 02/02/2013 17:49

Yes- I saw a specialist and assumed something would be horribly wrong. They ran a few blood tests and I was diagnosed.

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Salteena · 02/02/2013 17:28

Did you see a doctor to get that diagnosis, Snusmumriken?

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Snusmumriken · 02/02/2013 17:24

I was surprised as well, but pleased that it wasn't something more serious.

Good luck.

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BackforGood · 02/02/2013 17:23

Also checking in as I've had a real dull ache in the top of my arm (only the right one) for a few days now. Hoping someone might know.

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Salteena · 02/02/2013 17:21

Hmm, interesting thought, Snusmumriken, thanks. Heavy and achey and tired is just right. I'd be surprised if I'm deficient in vit D but it's a possible I guess

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CalamityKate · 02/02/2013 17:16

Watching with interest as have same thing! Especially in left arm.

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Snusmumriken · 02/02/2013 17:13

Could it be vitamin D deficiency? I had a severe deficiency a few years ago. My upper body felt painful, in a way that is difficult to describe. Heavy and achy and tired, even when I was well rested.

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