Pain and numbness in arms: I had a... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Pain and numbness in arms

Mpalgal profile image
31 Replies

I had a weird episode yesterday when both arms became numb and then really painful, I couldn’t speak or move and it lasted about 3/4 mins, luckily I was sat down. Since then my arms feel bruised and painful and numb and pins and needles and can’t use them for more than a few minutes without the pain being too much and my arms having no energy left to move them. Has anyone else had the same symptoms? I have had Fibro and ME for just over 4 years.

Many thanks in advance of any replies.

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Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal
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31 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

You should get checked out asap in case it was a TIA.

Dizzytwo profile image
DizzytwoModerator

Hi there, I really think you should be calling your surgery. Not sure why you did not ring them right away. Please speak to someone at your surgery asap.

It may be nothing but only your doctor could say what it was you had experienced xx

Cotswolds25121 profile image
Cotswolds25121 in reply to Dizzytwo

Hi Dizzy I have tried everything and have asked others to try and let you know that I have msgs you back. I really need advice but that has all gone awry with trying to contact you or someone on the admin team. I have to go to bed now but I hope I will hear something from you or somebody in the morning/lunchtime. Xx

Dizzytwo profile image
DizzytwoModerator in reply to Cotswolds25121

Hi, I did PM you back. Maybe you could get intouch with our benifits advisor Janet. She maybe able to point you in the right direction. This is the link.healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

It seems you can now get onto the forum. So it would be better for you to start your own post. Where I am sure others will be happy to share their experience with you if they can.

Momo

Welshcatlady profile image
Welshcatlady

I agree with what the others have said, phone your GP immediately to get checked out.

rosewine profile image
rosewine

Please ring your go and explain your symptoms. Let us know how you get on. X

AC2022 profile image
AC2022

Hi Mpalgal. How are you feeling now? Did you manage to get medical advice ok?

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal

Just a quick update I listened to all of you lovely people and called GP who called an ambulance and stayed on the call till they arrived. Been on morphine all day. Still in hospital having many tests. Will update with conclusions. Thank you all so much for very kind and swift advice. So grateful 😘

Isla63 profile image
Isla63

Hi Mpalgal, I hope your tests come back and what you experienced was not a TIA.

I had pain in both my arms before I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. The Doctor said I had Golfers Elbow and Tennis Elbow in both arms which I found strange as I hadn’t done anything strenuous. I didn’t have any of the other symptoms that you experienced which must have been scary.

Charr53 profile image
Charr53

HI I really hope you're OK please keep us updated and all good wishes and thoughts your way!

damag profile image
damag

well done you for ringing your GP ... No one really wants to be in hospital these days but thats the best place right now to make sure nothing sinister is going on . Hope they let you home very soon with good advice and support and positive news.

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal

I am home from hospital. After many tests, scans and X-rays the conclusion is I am having a severe flare of Fibro and a severe crash of ME all at the same time. I still have the arm pain and numbness, and the same has increased in my legs. Utterly fatigued and feeling really unwell. But have had a full MOT and nothing else going. The hospital said I did the right thing by calling my GP and being checked over.

Lemonyblue profile image
Lemonyblue in reply to Mpalgal

So glad you got checked out. Sorry you're not feeling any better but peace of mind that nothing sinsister is going on. This fibro is so terrible and unpredictable. Sending you best wishes x

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Lemonyblue

Thank you. I am still feeling really unwell and have had another episode of crushing arms and still experiencing severe pins and needles, numbness in my arms and hands and it has descended into my legs. My GP is doing more blood tests andI am having neurological tests tomorrow and a referral to my neurologist. Hoping to get some answers.

Lemonyblue profile image
Lemonyblue in reply to Mpalgal

Oh it's just awful. I too have so much pain throughout my body. Pins and needles and numbness, the list goes on and on. Sending gentle hugs x

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal

I would like to thank you all for your help, advice and kind words. Especially Bantam 12, Dizzytwo, rose wine and everyone who pointed me to contact GP. I tend to put most things down to Fibro/ME but in future will stop and think as it maybe more going on. On this occasion it was that, but as the hospital said it could have bee many other more serious things and yo always get checked.

I am utterly exhausted but happy to be home. Big hugs and love to everyone.

Kazzza1976 profile image
Kazzza1976

Hello I get pins and needles every day in my hands and arms. Sometimes it feels like I can’t lift my arms as they feel really painful and heavy. I was diagnosed with fibro last month . I hope you feel better soon x

Elf3 profile image
Elf3

Hi Mpalgal I have weak arms first time I noticed was over 20 years ago back then it was sporadic, but now it’s weekly, I put mine down to fibromyalgia& pernicious anaemia.. sleeping on my back I still get it, also when I go bathroom my legs sometimes not always get pins and needles but I’ve never been unable to speak or move like you had, which must of been scary, but I have had pulmonary & mitral regurgitation and have had chest pains and palpitations. So ambulance take me in as readings are irregular and because I have sickle cell anaemia too..

it is horrible when we don’t know what is going on and medics just want to through tablets at us rather than pinpoint the problem .. Be safe if you are ever concerned scared and worried with any issues call the emergency helpline ..

PS when my arms are weak and heavy I just hang them down and let it pass,

it’s a strange feeling weak, heavy and tingling at the same time …

I recall my friends laughing at me when I was young and on the dance floor moaning about my arms aching and this young man training to be a paramedic saying it’s my circulation keep moving them but I just couldn’t .. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Stay safe 🙏🏽

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Elf3

Thank you for your reply. I am still having numbness and pins and needles on my arms and hands which is now constant. I am having further tests done including Neurology. My GP is not happy to leave this so is doing every test she can think of to get answers. I have strict instructions to call out of hours over the weekend if things change or get worse. I am seeing her on Monday. I was really hoping it would just settle down but a week on and the problems are increasing. This is all new things which started abruptly last week with the complete numbness and very frightening episode. I am feeling very unwell too so don’t know whether the Fibro/ME are still having a party or it’s a combination of things. Thankfully my GP has always been very good at checking things rather than fobbing me off. Big hugs.

in reply to Mpalgal

Ask the doctor if you can have b12 and folic acid test

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to

Gp is checking that aswell as calcium levels. Thank you

in reply to Mpalgal

That's good to hear ! Make sure you get print out of blood test . A lot of Doctors will say in range and do nothing. Also a good idea to have a look at the pernicious anemia society and see if you have other issues you have not connected with B12

All the best

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to

Thank you so much. X

Elf3 profile image
Elf3

That’s good of your GP tbh mine where great I had so many test even nerve conducting test which I found very painful, minute currents was passed through my hands and arms, which came back satisfactory, I recall not being able to eat as I couldn’t use my knife and fork; but it has never lasted longer than a hour maximum; I gave up going to my practice I hated how much meds I was on and the constant problems issues pain side effects I was going through

I truly hope you get to the route cause; that you are able to rest safely and Mondays appointment with your GP will be informative with a plan of action..

🙏🏽🪷🧚🏽‍♀️

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Elf3

Thank you so much for your reply, sharing of personal experience and kind words. I am chilling til Mondays appointment, and hope the cause can be found. Big hugs

Elf3 profile image
Elf3 in reply to Mpalgal

Hi MpalgalAny update on arm,

X

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Elf3

Hi Elf3 thank you for your interest and concern. My update so far is the symptoms have continued with numbness and pins and needles in arms and now down into legs. I have had many blood tests neurological tests and have spent the day today at the hospital as an emergency at the Ophthalmologist clinics due to a problem with my eye which started with the arm crushing. There is slight damage to my optic nerve, so further appointments at TIA clininc and Neurological Opthamologist. Plus Neurology.

Just goes to show don’t assume new symptoms are just Fibro or ME. Get things checked out.

Elf3 profile image
Elf3

I am so sorry only just seeing this message I have loads don’t understand why I wasn’t alerted I usually am … it looks like a year ago how are you doing have they reached and indication as to what is causing your issues .. I still get the odd dead arm but everyday hand pins and needles.. 🌷

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Elf3

Hi Elf3

That is weird about the notifications.

After many tests and re tests and seeing Consultants in many departments, this is my update.

I still have bouts of the the severe numbness and pins and needles in my arms and often my legs, but my arms mostly, they have concluded they are severe muscle spasms due to my Fibro and ME. I have to rest after they occur as they basically knock me off my feet as they are so severe and happen suddenly. I have diazepam to take when the bouts increase and come in clusters, which helps to calm things down a bit. The Opthamologist consultant at the hospital confirmed the problems with my eyes are real as the muscles in the eyes are affected by Fibro. He said it’s best to treat them like the rest of my body and rest them when necessary. He was so understanding. It was good to have that confirmed by him as I feel like he was listening and understood. My GP is brilliant and has always understood me and helped in any way she can. I don’t see her often only when things change or become unmanageable so she is always happy to help. Knowing I can go to her when I need to makes things a little easier.

Hope this update might help someone.

Thanks for your interest Elf 3

Elf3 profile image
Elf3

I am thrilled you have had some understanding, as much as we don’t want to be in boxes or labelled, we want to know what is wrong so then we can move forward to fixing things.

And no I didn’t want it to seem that I didn’t care not replying, it’s funny I also seen conversations I don’t recall till reading anyway I think I’ve gotten through them all now ..

stay strong

🪻

Mpalgal profile image
Mpalgal in reply to Elf3

Like you say we done always want labels but sometimes it’s good to have your symptoms, conditions backed up by professionals to make you feel heard and understood.

I really appreciate your interest.

Take care of you x

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