Arm pain !!: I’ve posted this goodness... - British Heart Fou...

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Arm pain !!

Fluffybee profile image
14 Replies

I’ve posted this goodness knows where so apologies if you see it twice.

Does anyone get pain down their arms or just one even just the right arm without chest pain but have had chest pain randomly during the day. Wasn’t sure if it can happen by itself or chest pain should accompany it for angina.

Anyone with angina, coronary spasm and or microvascular angina ? !!

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Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee
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14 Replies
Forestdweller profile image
Forestdweller

Have you tried your gtn to see if it helps? I would guess that it would answer your question. Like you though I never know if it is actually angina or tummy, bad back etc etc. X

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

I have 'angina with normal coronaries' and my cardiologist feels sure it is MVA. I do sometimes get arm pain (left only) without much if any chest pain.

The trouble for me is I have unrelated nerve damage in that arm and the pain from that when aggravated sometimes mimics perfectly the same left arm pain I get from the angina - it's difficult to differentiate.

My solution (with cardiologist approval) is to use the GTN spray - if the pain goes away I know it was the angina, if it doesn't go away I know it's the nerve damage.

Check with your medic(s) to be sure they're ok with you using the GTN for just arm pain (which will also alert them to the arm pain without chest pain - something they probably need to know is happening to you). Mine says it's fine to do and he only wants me to log when I use the GTN and why, your medic may say something different as only he/she knows your specifics.

Hope this helps.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee

I use my spray and yes it does help so it is to do with my heart but was just wondering if many other people had arm pain who also have angina rather than just chest pain.

Not sure I worded the first post very well, sorry 🥴

Calmisgood profile image
Calmisgood

Hi Fluffy,

I have the same condition as you, diagnosed around the same time too, I don’t get any pain in arms but do get pain in mid upper back.

Randomly throughout day too, the meds don’t really seem to affect whether I have a good or bad day.

It’s such a complex condition and like others have said just still trying to find my way with it.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hi Fluffybee

I certainly feel my angina pain in some interesting places!

I have upper arm ache and pain numbness in my left inner arm and hand.

I also get a sensation of my bra feels too tight or a sense of a cheese wire cutting through my upper left chest.

Lower left rib and stomach pain.

Sometimes a vasospasm will arrive out of nowhere no rhyme or reason.

If you have some GTN spray don't be shy about using it.

Sunnie's suggestion of keeping a log is a good one.

It sounds as though you need to work with your Cardiologist to get the right combination of medication that will work best for you.

The cold weather is on its way so be prepared wrap up and cover your nose and mouth when you go out in the cold.....one benefit of mask wearing😷

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply to Milkfairy

This morning I decided to ring the nurses based my local hospital which I wasn’t aware they existed to ask questions until today, they’re going to speak to my cardiologist so I can get some answers of my own test results and what they mean so far.

I haven’t spoken to a medical professional since about November 19 so feel I’ve been left hanging a bit.

I know the terrible virus has changed many lives so horrifically, so feel selfish whinging about not speaking to my Consultant.

Thank goodness I have you and all the ‘hearties’ on here to talk to, I don’t know where I’d be without you all, thank you so much 🤗

I think it’s because I haven’t been able to talk through my own tests etc I find it hard to accept it’s happening to me.

I just felt terrible last winter, at least I know what will be causing the pain if I have any. 😊

Smileyian profile image
Smileyian

Yes Fluffybee. My left arm even when sitting, however as I can induce it, unlikely to be cardiac pain. Much more likely to be nerve or muscle damage from my upper body and dumbell exercises. It never comes with my very short spasms which are almost always under 10 seconds. I would be interested to hear your eventual conclusion.

Flissy1000 profile image
Flissy1000

Numerous things with me - ha - stents - C - but few years ago had pains in shoulder/arms and Dr sent me for scan - was bursitis~ due to health issues op was not a viable solution so I get steroid injections which have worked. Well worth getting it checked out as it can be detected quite easily from scan. Hope you get sorted

Magicmog12 profile image
Magicmog12

It's strange I get these spasms of sometimes quite painful sensations that start in my neck or shoulder and go down my arm five minutes or so after that it goes. It happens mainly in my right arm.my gp recommended me to physio and that has helped a bit. I asked could it be something g to do with my surgery: nearly 6 months ago I had valve replacement and remembered waking up with a sensation in my neck I I had some kind of drain there and when I told this to physio they said that the muscles there do not cope with any trauma there and therefore may take time to heal.no ones really said why but to me it seemed feasible

2020_mogerson profile image
2020_mogerson

I get a chocking feeling in my throat that travels up over my left ear and down my arm, sometimes with a tightness in my chest. I've just been treated for WWP and had an ablation in May. Consultant thinks I may have Micro Vascular Angina and is treating me with a slow release GTN tablet. Waiting for my follow up after ablation

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply to 2020_mogerson

Hi 👋

I don’t get a choking feeling or throat but this pain goes down my arm into my hand.

There’s been lots of really good advice to look into.

I’m sure I’ll find out exactly what’s causing it at some point,.

But have been told at one point it is to do with my angina and GTN does help, just thought I’d ask if anyone else had the same, my original post I don’t think I worded it very well 🥴

McFox68 profile image
McFox68

Hi All, yeah i also get left arm pains , shoulder also feels like pins and needles and aching in my neck. I have also tried my GTN spray when this happens and it has always helped so far.

Hope your all doing well and staying safe.

2020_mogerson profile image
2020_mogerson

Some really good posts, this terrible situation we find ourselves in means that we are not able to see consultants face to face. Recently spoke to my GP as I've not had my 3 monthly follow up and recently I've noticed that when I'm stressed or exert myself I get the paun from the middle of my chest (left side), up my neck and behind my ear then down my arm, seems to go when I rest or take my spray. My confusion is I've also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and not sure if it's microvasular angina or fibromyalgia, as I've had no tests. GP advised that they are treating it as my heart and to use GTN spray, also giving me another medication and told to self refer to talking therapy! So tired all the time, feel like I'm on a slippery slope, downwards with my health.

Thank you all for feedback stay safe everyone

Weavy profile image
Weavy

Hi

I've had a pain in my left arm from my arm pit to my elbow on and off for a couple of weeks now no chest pain tho,

On Saturday just past I woke up at 2am with it and called 111 I was rushed to hospital and to my complete surprise I was having a heart attack.

All ecg and echocardiogram test where ok but my troponin levels where very high, I was given an angiogram that showed some smaller vessels where damaged and causing the problems, I was rushed into cardiac ward and after numerous test and pills things finally started to settle,

I was released today with a mountain of tablets to take and honestly I'm still shell shocked and overwhelmed with everything, its certainly knocked me for six.

My advice go get it seen to straight away as I had no idea I thought is was just muscle pain from work.

Take care of yourself hope everything's ok

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