Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Joint Pain and Tingling Sensation in my extremities

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Neuromuscular


For the past 6 months I have experienced an aching in my right arm, especially at the elbow and shoulder joint. I originally thought it was a muscle injury from over exertion. I have also experienced a tingling sensation in my arms, legs and feet. The tingling sensations have increased substantially in the past few weeks to the point of keeping me awake at night, waking me up after falling asleep and worse of all, waking up in the morning with an inability to use my hands or arms for a minute or so since they are both "asleep". The joint pain has now spread to my right knee but to a much lesser extent than my arm.
My doctor has done blood tests for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis which were both negative. She has prescribed diclofenac sodium 50 mg twice a day. The medication has not relieved any of my symtoms. She recently ran several x-rays of the right wrist, elbow and shoulder and has referred me to an orthopedic specialist for the results. My doctor seemed to be focused on the joint pain and I'm concerned that she hasn't given much credence to the tingling sensations I have described. Is she on the right track, is this a orthopedic problem or is it possibly a nerve problem? Help, it just keeps getting worse.

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Thanks for your question. Because of the presence of articular/joint pain
symptoms, it is appropriate to suspect a primary rheumatologic process,
despite the presence of associated sensory findings ("tingling" in extremities).
Another element of your clinical picture that is also more suggestive of a
rheumatological process is the "morning" presentation of the symptoms.
You mentioned negative results for Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis - did
your tests also included simpler "acute phase reactants", such as Sedimentarion
Rate, C-Reactive Protein? Were those also negative for any indications of
inflammatory process? The current course of investigation pursued by your
physicians appear to be an appropriate one.

I hope this information is helpful. Best of luck.

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.

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