What Causes Pain And Weakness In The Left Arm?

Posted on Fri, 9 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Dec 2016 Answered on

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : i am 54 y/o 205 lbs 5'3 I have been taking my b/p frequently usually runs 140/90 I take fish oil for high cholesterol, centrum silver vitamins, lately I ha e had a discomfort in my left arm not radiating more frequent and associated with it is weakness but I have no chest discomfort at all and no other sick feeling or pain I do have a drs appt on 12/20/16 just wondering if I should try to go to another one sooner or is there something I can do at home till than to see if it relieves it all together

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HMC!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms don't seem to be related to any cardiac disorder.

A musculo- skeletal or nerve pain could be the cause.

So I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a physical exam and some tests:

- complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate for inflammation
- a nerve conduction study for possible nerve compression, that may mimic this symptomatology.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Meanwhile, I recommend taking ibuprofen for the pain.

Kind regards,

Dr.Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 minutes later)

How could of that happened did I do something or does it just happen I don't recall do anything rough

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I understand your concern and would explain that not always there is a cause for musculo-skeletal or nerve pain.

Nerve pain could be related to aging and narrowing of the natural ways where nerves travel, causing possible compression. Chronic degenerations of the cervical spinal column, leading to bulging discs could also cause a similar clinical scenario.

From the other hand, inflammation of the musculo-skeletal structures is not always related to a trauma or straining physical activity.

For this reason, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests to investigate for the possible underlying causes.

If your symptoms are relieved by ibuprofen, it would indicate one of the above disorders. In such case, I would recommend continue taking it for some days, until you consult with your doctor.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (5 hours later)

i have just tried today wearing. elbow brace for the day and the compression seems like it totally helped alot with taking ibrophen thanks to your first answer

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I am glad to have been helpful to you.

This indicates that it may be a possible nerve compression that is the underlying cause of your symptoms, probably ulnar nerve (as it passes in the elbow).

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues and on the above recommended tests.

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar