What Causes Pain In The Upper Arms That Radiates To The Shoulders?

Posted on Tue, 15 Nov 2016

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

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 6 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been experiencing pain that moves from my upper arms to wrists, fingers, shoulders. It comes on quickly and may last a couple of days and then goes away. It only hits one of the above areas at a time and has no apparent cause. I have seen a rheumatologist and sports medicine doctor. Chirpractic has helped some. Doctors are stumped. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by swelling. Cold helps. Heat makes it worse. I am on baby aspirin therapy but no other medications.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need to get your serum B 12 and MRI of cervical spine

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Your pain seems to be due to neuropathy. This can be due to either B 12 deficiency or nerve compression in neck. So I have following suggestions for you.
1.Get your serum B 12 estimation. if it is low then take tablethe methyl cobal daily.
2.Get MRI of cervical spine to see if there is any nerve compression is there. If yes then you need to take help of traction therapy.
Mean time for symptomatic relief you can take tablet pregabalin or lyrica at night time .
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng