pain in right shoulder, upper arm and lower arm and pins and needles in fingers.

[jill1976]

Please help, about 3 weeks ago I woke up with a pain in my right shoulder, an ache and tightness (as if its being tightly squeezed) at the top of my arm and my forearm, and numbness in my fingers. My right arm also seems to be weaker, but movement isn't really restricted. Pain killers don't really touch the pain. I went to my local walk in centre and they just said it was 'probably a trapped nerve' and sent me away with 3 days worth of co-codamol 500/30. When I ran out of those my friend gave me some tramadol and co-codamol that she had, and I found that 2 tramadol and 1 co-codamol took away the pain, but only for about an hour. The pain keeps me awake at night, and after 3 weeks it's driving me crazy. Any ideas as to what this could be would be greatly appreciated.

[Bananas5]

We can't give a diagnosis only information based on our own experiences.

Firstly. Never take drugs prescribed for someone else. No matter how well meaning your friend is these should only be prescribed by a GP or Dr in hospital.

Second have you seen your GP? He may well send you for a scan or xray and will prescribed some pain relief.

x

[jill1976 in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you for replying.

I know you shouldn't take meds that are prescribed for someone else but having run out, and being in pain, I was rather desperate.

I haven't seen my own GP yet, just the duty GP at the walk in centre who really wasn't very sympathetic!! Its extremely difficult to get an appointment at my surgery, but I will keep trying.

[Bananas5 in reply to jill1976]

OK but if you ever move again!!! make sure you get enough med from the GP you are leaving. Most will give 2 months for holidays or moving

Pester the surgery telling them you need these drugs.

x

[Victoriapain]

Hi there, I had the same symptoms you have now and after 11 months and numerous test I finally found out I have slipped discs in my neck and narrowing of my spinal canal. I'm not saying this is what you have but you need to get yourself to see your gp to get the ball rolling with tests. It's sounds like a trapped nerve. x

[Suzyhayes]

Your symptoms suggest to me that you could have cervical stenosis which is spinal compression.

Do you have any changes in your gait when walking.

I had this condition which quickly deteriorated and after an IRM scan I needed urgent surgery.

Not trying to scare you. It may just be a trapped nerve but get the scan as soon as possible.

[johnsmith]

See a chiropractor. You need a second opinion as to whether it is a trapped nerve or something potentially more serious.

See a doctor armed with second opinion.

[Flamey49]

Hi Jill

I had pretty much the same symptoms as you, pain in left shoulder radiating down my arm and pins and needles in hand and fingers.

I went to out of hours doctor at A & E as it was a 2/3 weeks waiting time to see my own doctors. Anyway, he told me I had Tendonitis. The pain was unbearable, I couldn't sleep at all on that side or even the other side and had to try to sleep with my arm outstretched off the bed to get a little relief, I was already taking both Tramadol and Paracetamol for another medical issue, but they didn't even touch the pain.

He gave me some anti-inflammatories which also didn't help. It took a few weeks for the pain to eventually go.

If you have an out of hours service at your local hospital I suggest you go there, if not make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can. x

[ellabella]

I have the tightness around my upper arm which is more pronounced when I am very stressed. It started when I had shingles a couple of years ago I also have nerve damage in other areas. It does sound like nerve damage but you need checking out . X

[jill1976]

Thank you all for your comments, I went back to the walk in at my local hospital (due to breaking down at work due to the pain) and he called my GP and insisted they gave me an appointment as only my GP can refer me for further tests/treatment, and I am going after work tonight. So, here's hoping that i'm close to getting answers and can finally see an end to this awful pain. x