Stabbing bicep pain when I lift my arm

[Nilda]

For the last 3 months (since April 2005), I've developed a stabbing pain in my left bicep when my arm is in certain positions.  The pain is located deep within my arm in the center of my upper arm and is very intense (i.e., level 8-10) as if a knife was plunged into the center of my bicep.  When the pain happens, I have to use my right arm to pick up the left arm and move it into a neutral position down and in front of me.  Depending on how intense the episode was, it can take anywhere from 5-10 seconds for the pain to subside and disappear completely.

The pain happens when I lift my arm into certain positions (i.e., overhead presses especially when my arm lifts next to my head or behind my head).  I am no longer able to put a bar behind my neck and grip it from behind.  The motion of bringing my arm up and back to grasp the bar is excrutiating.  It doesn't matter if I'm lifting weights or not -- I experience the pain in my everyday life too whenever my arm is raised, bent at the elbow, and moved backward.  Note, I am able to do bicep curls or hammer curls with 5# weights without pain so any bicep-related activity in front of my body is pain free.  Tricep kick backs and tricep "push ups" are also pain free.

I have been active, including aerobics, biking, skiing, lifting weights (5# or less), on and off all my life and 3-4 times a week since late last year and consider myself in excellent shape and am of a normal weight for my height and age (45).

Note, I broke my ankle in June so didn't exercise much at all for 2 months but the arm pain is still there.

[cc2554]

I am sure that that is what has happened to me. Over use on the computer.
I noticed while reading your comment that I hang my arms in mid air while working on site. When pain started my bicep never swelled. A sharp pain suddenly appeared out of nowhere when I moved it.
No other explaination for this month long pain. Can't sleep on the arm and sometimes it will ache when I am trying to sleep.
I will change my position while using the computer. Today I am resting my whole forearm onto the desk top while typing. Thank  you

[Barb51555]

Sorry, I forgot to tell you I wear a sport band on my bicep. I move it around during the day.  Higher or lower, it helps the pain most of everything I've tried. I've been wearing it a couple! Months now and I even sleep with on.

[Barb51555]

You are not alone....   I have tried the doctor approach...  No help.... But lots of cost.  Some of the exercise videos helped a little but then seemed to make it worse after a couple's weeks...  I have battled this for 2 yrs..  I'll keep reading this blog and hope I find answer.  I'm 67, 115 lb, 5'1" ....  And a gal....  At this point I can't even brush my hair , can't pull my pants up, can't lift or push anything with my right arm....  I'm pretty tough, I was a general contractor/ remolder..

[Tim_350893]

I am not sure if you every found a cure or even getting this but I have the same issues with both upper arms and serious in need to what the hell is going on..  in 6 month have lost about 40 % of upper are movment and any quick movement with the upper are ans it feels like my arms are being ripped off .. so I am asking did you find treatment. thanks   Tim  at   tpe-usa  *******

[nperk]

DMSO is absorbed through the skin into cells.  It repairs damaged cells including pre-cancerous ones.  Apply it topically and or orally where the problem is.  It will be absorbed into that area.  It reducing inflammation which is cause of most pain.  

[nperk]

I had the same pains a after my dog jerked the leash.  I use DMSO (Dimethyl sulphoxide).  I'm a retired chemistry teacher and buy from Dr. Jacob's lab.  He studied DMSO for 50 years.  My pain is doing away.  Be sure when you use it that your hands and body are.clean.  Expect a tingling itchy feeling when you apply. I simple place it on with my hand.  Don't get it on floors or furniture.  It will make a spot.  I take 1 tsp in my orange juice in the also.  Many books YouTube videos.  Don't let anyone talk you out of it.  It's the modern-day miracle cure like aspirin.  I'm 73 now.  Dr. Jacob is 93.  I had been in such good health that I stopped my DMSO then the dog leash incident and I'm back on.  I use it for toothache, muscle cramps, headache, etc.  Buy it at health food stores or off-line.  Some people get garlic odor some don't.  Stay healthy

[Kellyannefisher]

I had the exact same scenario. My dog pulled my arm when I was walking him.  Did you ever get a  diagnosis ?  My ultrasound showed  inflammation  tendinitis. A months worth of PT seems to be making me worse.  I really think I tore my bicep?  Just wondering which route to go next. I'm looking into DMSO, I'm allergic to aspirin and  sulfa drugs. Thanks