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Is Pain In Upper Arms A Symptom Of Fibromyalgia?
Question: I am experiencing pain in my upper arms.A dull pain.Bearable.but annoying.Last week I was working
on my treadmill and I thought it was that or my computer.I did wonder if it was due to fibromyalgia.
I had that for years but didn't think much about it.I am on Levothyroid 88mcg.Sometimes I have upped
or reduced depending on tests results.I am using heat.I can't take NSAIDS.I am 69 years old.
I feel I am losing upper arm strength just recently.I drive a minimun amout. Thank You. XXXXXXX
Could this all be overexercising.my legs are fine. XXXXXXX
on my treadmill and I thought it was that or my computer.I did wonder if it was due to fibromyalgia.
I had that for years but didn't think much about it.I am on Levothyroid 88mcg.Sometimes I have upped
or reduced depending on tests results.I am using heat.I can't take NSAIDS.I am 69 years old.
I feel I am losing upper arm strength just recently.I drive a minimun amout. Thank You. XXXXXXX
Could this all be overexercising.my legs are fine. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Several possibilities
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
So your symptoms include pain and weakness in your upper arms on both sides.
Fibromyalgia may explain such pain, but it is a diagnosis of exclusion, other possible causes must be excluded first. There are other possible causes to those symptoms, starting with inflammatory conditions affecting muscles such as polymyositis.
Another possible cause may be cervical spine issues causing compression of ghe spinal cord.
So a physical exam is necessary from your physician to look for neurological signs (altered reflexes, abnormal reflexes, muscle weakness, spasticity etc).
According to findings further tests may be necessary such as inflammation markers (ESR, CRP), blood count, electrolytes, creatine kinase, EMG (electromyography) and if spinal cord involvement is suspected perhaps MRI.
Also both high and low thyroid function ca lead to muscle damage with weakness so if you haven't checked hormone levels recently, you should.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Several possibilities
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
So your symptoms include pain and weakness in your upper arms on both sides.
Fibromyalgia may explain such pain, but it is a diagnosis of exclusion, other possible causes must be excluded first. There are other possible causes to those symptoms, starting with inflammatory conditions affecting muscles such as polymyositis.
Another possible cause may be cervical spine issues causing compression of ghe spinal cord.
So a physical exam is necessary from your physician to look for neurological signs (altered reflexes, abnormal reflexes, muscle weakness, spasticity etc).
According to findings further tests may be necessary such as inflammation markers (ESR, CRP), blood count, electrolytes, creatine kinase, EMG (electromyography) and if spinal cord involvement is suspected perhaps MRI.
Also both high and low thyroid function ca lead to muscle damage with weakness so if you haven't checked hormone levels recently, you should.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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