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Suggest Treatment For Cold Symptoms And Generalized Body Pain
Posted on
Wed, 8 Mar 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 8 Mar 2017
Answered on
Thu, 30 Mar 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I've had cold symptoms since Sunday, but on Monday I started having severe nerve pain in both arms, lower rib cage area, and back of head/neck.
Brief Answer:
Must be a viral fever
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
Generalized body pain with cold is very common presentation of viral illness.
Despite medications, it may take around a week to go. Take paracetamol thrice daily for pain with a multivitamin.
Also check your Vitamin D3 & Vit B12 level as their deficiency can cause nerve pain.
Thanks & take care
Must be a viral fever
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.
Generalized body pain with cold is very common presentation of viral illness.
Despite medications, it may take around a week to go. Take paracetamol thrice daily for pain with a multivitamin.
Also check your Vitamin D3 & Vit B12 level as their deficiency can cause nerve pain.
Thanks & take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
OK so even though I have had a cold many times over the past 10-20 years (with body aches, etc) I have never experienced this nerve pain which is like electrical shocks in my neck/head, arms, and ribs. I was concerned I was possibly experiencing an onset of shingles, but I have no visible rash YET.
Brief Answer:
Could be shingles but diagnosis is difficult untill rashes develope
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Varicella Zooster or Shingles also has a very common presentation. In it first their is pain along a nerve territory mostly involving the thorasic dermatome (chest with arm) & than their is development of typical macular rash along the area of pain. It generally occurs in immunocompromised patients.
It is very difficult to diagnose it until rash develope. And than only can specific therapy could be initiated.
Neck pain with current like feeling in chest & arm could also be a manifestation of cervical spondylitis, which generally is associated with Vit D & B12 deficiency
So i would recommend to get these tested along with a X Ray of cervical spine. If the pain in too much, we generally prescribe Gabapentin 600mg twice daily for such patients.
So wait till any rashes develope, which i pray should not develope. Till than you can do the above tests & follow the treatment as advised.
Get well soon.
Thanks & take care
Could be shingles but diagnosis is difficult untill rashes develope
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Varicella Zooster or Shingles also has a very common presentation. In it first their is pain along a nerve territory mostly involving the thorasic dermatome (chest with arm) & than their is development of typical macular rash along the area of pain. It generally occurs in immunocompromised patients.
It is very difficult to diagnose it until rash develope. And than only can specific therapy could be initiated.
Neck pain with current like feeling in chest & arm could also be a manifestation of cervical spondylitis, which generally is associated with Vit D & B12 deficiency
So i would recommend to get these tested along with a X Ray of cervical spine. If the pain in too much, we generally prescribe Gabapentin 600mg twice daily for such patients.
So wait till any rashes develope, which i pray should not develope. Till than you can do the above tests & follow the treatment as advised.
Get well soon.
Thanks & take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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