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Suggest Remedy For Pain In Arm And High BP

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: Ive been experiencing arm pain left side and high blood pressure for over a week. Feels like my arm is being squeeed so tight and its numb and tinglinrb at the

And ny potassium was low 3.1 the last three times ive been seen in the last week. I run, inwork out, havent strained anything and im a nurse. I dont complain about any aches...this just doesnt feel right. The major ache and the oins and needles feels awful and i have no energy and i usually bounce off the walls.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You need a differential diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for your question on HCM! Regarding your concern I would explain that your clinical scenario needs a differential diagnosis between complications of hypokalemia you refer, and other reasons of neurological domains.
First I want to explain you that your complains like muscle weakness (no energy), numbness and tingling paresthesia of the arm are compatible with hypokalemia. The right thing to do is to find reason of low blood potassium. Sometimes it is caused by any therapy such as loop diuretics, levothyroxine, etc or drinks like large quantity of cola, etc., or you have to explore your suprarenal glands for tge possibility of hyperaldosteronism. So my question is: do you have any history of prior and current medications? Any other drinking or substances? Did you perform a blood gas analysis to rule out a metabolic alkalosis (seen in hyperaldosteronism)?
The second and not less important is to correct immediately the low potassium. There some options like spironolactone or potassium supplements, etc
The other point we should explore is the possibility of a brain lesion responsible for the left arm complains? At that moment I want to ask you:
Is the numbness and tingling continuous and uninterrupted (in favor of brain origin) or periodic?
If correction of hypokalemia doesn't resolve the complains I recommend to talk to a neurologist for a physical exam and posibly a brain MRI.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Greetings from Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Ive been on .5 levothyroxine for years. Im on ambien oncebin awhile becaise inwork nights its hard sonetimes to sleep. They did oerform a blood gas in the ED the third time and they aaid it was good. Sats 100%. They gave me potassium alot and then sent me home on aldactone low dose, They also sent me on clonidine tid. Coreg 25 bid. Norvas 10 bid. Same lebithyroxine. Aspirine. The pain has been on going the entire...i can feel ny pulse theough my arm and in starting to feel a little in ny right arm too. The strength has been okay but it hurts so bad i dont want to ise it. It feels so tight like i have a tirnicaye on it at all times and my pulses are very prominate. Im starting to feel a little pins and needles in ny right now, they orderwd labs on feiday feom cardiology checking urine...i think 24 hours and also checking corical something level....they never actually called them in and then they left a message asking where to call them in right before they closed. I am bew in this town so its hard to get in quickly as a new patient. I have to call ny orinary about my concerns and hope he sees me sooner. Not sure what else to do? I got tje carsiologist becausebof my hopistal admission.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Talk to your doctors about the options and relax.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again! I read carefully the new informations you send to me.
My opinion is as follows:
a - if your complains disappear after hypokalemia correction, then you have only to find the cause of low potassium level, to treat it and nothing else. You said that doctors gave you aldactone and symptoms persist. But did you checked potassium level after that. Is it really corrected now?
b - you have to check also your thyroid hormones blood levels; you are under treatment with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and we have to be sure are you taking the appropriate dose or more than is needed? Because some elements like high blood pressure, prominent arterial pulses, general discomfort, etc raise suspicions about tthat.
c - now that you are experiencing numbness and tingling in the right arm too I still insist that you should consult a neurologist but the focus should be on spinal cord now not the brain. You should perform a careful neurological physical examination and if it raises suspicion followed by cervical spinal cord MRI (to exclude pathologies like syringomyelia, etc).
So to cut it clear and short for you: if correction of hypokalemia doesn't resolve the complains you have to follow other exams. So don't worry, at the end everything will be clear, just talk to your doctors about the options.
Feel free to ask me whenever you need.
My best wishes! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9541 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Pain In Arm And High BP

Brief Answer: You need a differential diagnosis. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for your question on HCM! Regarding your concern I would explain that your clinical scenario needs a differential diagnosis between complications of hypokalemia you refer, and other reasons of neurological domains. First I want to explain you that your complains like muscle weakness (no energy), numbness and tingling paresthesia of the arm are compatible with hypokalemia. The right thing to do is to find reason of low blood potassium. Sometimes it is caused by any therapy such as loop diuretics, levothyroxine, etc or drinks like large quantity of cola, etc., or you have to explore your suprarenal glands for tge possibility of hyperaldosteronism. So my question is: do you have any history of prior and current medications? Any other drinking or substances? Did you perform a blood gas analysis to rule out a metabolic alkalosis (seen in hyperaldosteronism)? The second and not less important is to correct immediately the low potassium. There some options like spironolactone or potassium supplements, etc The other point we should explore is the possibility of a brain lesion responsible for the left arm complains? At that moment I want to ask you: Is the numbness and tingling continuous and uninterrupted (in favor of brain origin) or periodic? If correction of hypokalemia doesn't resolve the complains I recommend to talk to a neurologist for a physical exam and posibly a brain MRI. Hope to have been helpful to you! Greetings from Dr. Iliri