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What Causes Muscle Spasms In Shoulder After Sneezing?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Dec 2014
Question: I was diagnosed as having a muscle spasm in my left shoulder after sneezing (persistent shoulder pain radiating to elbow for more than 4 days). The doctor prescribed Flexeril 10mg 3 times a day and 800 mg of Ibuprofin every 8 hours. I took the first Flexeril yesterday at 3:30pm and another at 11pm. This morning, the pain that had been radiating to my elbow reached my left hand and gave me the sensation of my hand falling asleep. I have had persistent tingling of the hand for about 12 hours now. A while ago I was sitting in the same position for about 30 and my hand turned blue. I didn't notice because my hand had been tingling all day and nothing felt different. I was able to massage my arm and get color back into my hand, but it is still tingling. Is this a side effect of the medication and/or muscle spasm? Is there anything I can do to fix it?
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Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
mri is needed

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I am Dr Mittal. I have read your query. I think I would be able to help you. The symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of nerve compression in the neck or the shoulder region. It's commonly known as cervical radiculopathy.

The nerve gets compressed and thereafter the pain starts that radiates down the arm.tingling and numbness may follow as well.

I usually suggest to the patient I treat directly that they get a MRI of the cervical spine. This test can show us where the nerve compression is and according to the level of compression, further treatment can be suggested. In case the test is too expensive, X ray of cervical spine can be done. But the information yield decreases drastically.

I suggest the same to you. Meanwhile, you can meet a doc for a prescription of pregabalin, to help you some what till MRI us done.

I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information helps you. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Saumya Mittal

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2897 Questions

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What Causes Muscle Spasms In Shoulder After Sneezing?

Brief Answer: mri is needed Detailed Answer: Hi, I am Dr Mittal. I have read your query. I think I would be able to help you. The symptoms of the query are quite suggestive of nerve compression in the neck or the shoulder region. It's commonly known as cervical radiculopathy. The nerve gets compressed and thereafter the pain starts that radiates down the arm.tingling and numbness may follow as well. I usually suggest to the patient I treat directly that they get a MRI of the cervical spine. This test can show us where the nerve compression is and according to the level of compression, further treatment can be suggested. In case the test is too expensive, X ray of cervical spine can be done. But the information yield decreases drastically. I suggest the same to you. Meanwhile, you can meet a doc for a prescription of pregabalin, to help you some what till MRI us done. I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information helps you. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Best of luck. Dr Mittal.