why do my arms ache every time they move?

orangeleavesinautumn · 2023-07-13T23:32:53+00:00

I'm ok sitting here in bed typing, no problem but I have just raised one arm to pull up my duvet, and that small bit of effort made it ache -not for long, but generally for 3-4 times longer than the movement itself. Its the same with any movement - brush my hair, arms ache, blow my nose, arms ache, lift a cup of tea up , arms ache. I am overweight and unfit, but really - why so much aching from such tiny efforts? any suggestions?

Geppili · 14/07/2023 01:10

Its really weird but I have had this for a while. I notice it brushing my hair and folding laundry. I am overweight and menopausal. I have no answers. But you are not alone!

Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 01:15

Geppili · 14/07/2023 01:10

Its really weird but I have had this for a while. I notice it brushing my hair and folding laundry. I am overweight and menopausal. I have no answers. But you are not alone!

o thank you - it is good to know I am not alone. Did yours stop for any particular reason that you could identify?

OP posts:

Littlefish · 14/07/2023 04:54

Have a look at 'frozen shoulder' .

It can be triggered during peri-menopause/ menopause, but can also happen at other times.

Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 06:37

Thank you for your suggestion but I don't think it is frozen shoulder, it is more that sort of ache you get from muscles being very tired, without me doing anything at all to tire them

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Random789 · 14/07/2023 06:53

I've had problems similar to the ones you describe, OP. A sort of dragging pain, and weakness, in my upper arms. It is mostly triggered by any move that involves raising my arms. I also have with similar pains and weakness in neck . I'm seeing a chiropractor for it and doing various exercises. It's to do with horrible tightness and constriction, particularly in my shoulders.

It is improving with massage and manipulation plus appropriate stretches. For me, the most useful stretch has been holding one of those stretchy bands above my head and then moving my arms slowly downwards, so that the band comes down behind my head, then back etc. Creates a good opening/lengthening in the front of the shoulders and in the upper arms.

Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 07:06

Random789 · 14/07/2023 06:53

I've had problems similar to the ones you describe, OP. A sort of dragging pain, and weakness, in my upper arms. It is mostly triggered by any move that involves raising my arms. I also have with similar pains and weakness in neck . I'm seeing a chiropractor for it and doing various exercises. It's to do with horrible tightness and constriction, particularly in my shoulders.

It is improving with massage and manipulation plus appropriate stretches. For me, the most useful stretch has been holding one of those stretchy bands above my head and then moving my arms slowly downwards, so that the band comes down behind my head, then back etc. Creates a good opening/lengthening in the front of the shoulders and in the upper arms.

Thanks for this - I have stretchy bands somewhere, I can give it a try

OP posts:

Random789 · 14/07/2023 07:10

Move gently and slowly. You could start with the band only very slightly stretched, so that the tension isn't too much, and then gradually feel your way into slightly more challenging tension over a week or so.

OpposableThumbs2 · 14/07/2023 07:10

OK this is going to sound a bit weird but just on the vanishingly small chance that it's the same. My DM had aching arms for 5 years that no-one could figure out and it turned out to be a side effect of her eye drops. Changed eye drops and arms recovered in a few weeks.

Babyluigi · 14/07/2023 07:13

I get exactly the same as you describe, especially my legs when I go upstairs. I've just been diagnosed with a B12 deficiency and am awaiting injections of B12, but what you describe can be a symptom of that

Chrissmasjammies · 14/07/2023 07:15

Absolutely not alone. I am 44 and have similar

MmmALovelyBitOfSquirrel · 14/07/2023 07:16

Another weird suggestion... Have you had a sore neck or maybe have slept funny to set it off? I had sore hands and arms for months until I read somewhere that it can be caused by a trapped nerve in the neck. Some days, I couldn't even open a bottle of Coke, it was so bad. There's a tea towel technique on YouTube if you think it could be that. You'll need someone to hold a teatowel under your chin as you face them and allow the back of your neck to relax as they gently lift. That and other techniques helped mine!

Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 07:18

Babyluigi · 14/07/2023 07:13

I get exactly the same as you describe, especially my legs when I go upstairs. I've just been diagnosed with a B12 deficiency and am awaiting injections of B12, but what you describe can be a symptom of that

hmm, that is interesting, I have just looked up the symptoms, I do get blurred vision a bit when I am tired, and pins and needles in my mouth, but no red tongue as far as I can see - just been pulling faces at myself in the mirror! But maybe worth investigating further

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Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 07:19

MmmALovelyBitOfSquirrel · 14/07/2023 07:16

Another weird suggestion... Have you had a sore neck or maybe have slept funny to set it off? I had sore hands and arms for months until I read somewhere that it can be caused by a trapped nerve in the neck. Some days, I couldn't even open a bottle of Coke, it was so bad. There's a tea towel technique on YouTube if you think it could be that. You'll need someone to hold a teatowel under your chin as you face them and allow the back of your neck to relax as they gently lift. That and other techniques helped mine!

couldnt even open a can of coke yesterday....

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Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 07:19

well, it certainly seems I am not alone, and there are several suggestions here to look into - thank you

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TerfIngOnTheBeach · 14/07/2023 07:21

I was going to mention menopause, I had it for a couple of years when I was peri menopausal but since I’ve come out of the other side it’s gone.

Original poster

orangeleavesinautumn · 14/07/2023 07:27

I am many years past the menopause, and had no issues then

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lostparcel · 14/07/2023 09:21

I am overweight and have had aches and pains for the past few years. A lot them I'm putting down to being perimenopausal as I think that tendons and ligaments are weaker and more prone to injury.

I have spent a fortune at the physio for some of them and need to go back for my ankles that are causing me a lot of discomfort when standing for a long time, walking and also driving for more than half an hour.

The joys of getting older 🤨