Left Arm Discomfot

[tc1414]

I've been on a beta blocker (bystolic, 2.5mg daily) for about 6 months now. This was all due to a chest infection I had back in February that the doc thought sent me into atrial fibrillation. He thinks now it might have been a fluke due to the infection, but wants me to stay on the bystolic for a year to help keep my BP down. Anyway, that's just for background.
Since I've been on the bystolic pretty much, I've had discomfort that seems to center in my left arm. I don't have what most describe as angina in the chest area, mainly just the left arm. I do, however, seem to have chronic muscle pain in my left chest area. It seems to move around, and right now is centered beneath my left breast, feels like it might be around the ribs. But my question is about the discomfort...it worries me a bit, since I know a lot of left arm pain can be cardiac-related.
It's almost always a dull pain, not throbbing. But today, I did feel some sharp shooting pains right above my armpit area and into to the top of my left arm. That got me worried, thus the reason for my posting. I've monitored my BP closely for a while now, and nothing there is out of the ordinary. The pain is what is worrying me the most, aside from the occassional palpitation that takes my breath away (no pain involved there).
Please let me know your thoughts on this, and thanks in advance!

[SassyLassie]

When was the last time you saw your doctor. Usually, for any type of chest pain where heart issues have not been ruled out, I would suggest that first.

Second, it could very well be due to the infection. Has any doctor mentioned costochondritis? This is an inflammation of the ribs, and the pain can mimic heart and angina pain to the second. What you are describing sort of sounds like that may be some of the problem.

Another thing it could be is "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" or TOS. This is a symptom complex that is characterized by brachial neuritis with or without vascular disturbances in the upper extremities. All this long term means is, the nerve in your arm, could be compressed, causing a nerve irritation, and this in turn can cause the pain down the arm, it, too, can feel like angina. Another names the docs use for it is, "Scalenus Syndrome". It is really not clearly defined, but pain, tingling, and numbness may occur anywhere form the shoulder to fingers. Some of the treatments are: Correction of posture, avoidance of fatigue, and sometimes it helps to immobilize the arm and shoulder on the affected side. Ask your doctor about this. It is usually easy to diagnose, the doc just takes your pulse on the affected side, first with your head forward, then, he will have you turn your head to the side, if the pulse gets slower or feels lighter, then that problem can be suspected. I have it, my chiropractor helps it though.

Oh gosh, there are so many things that are benign that might cause your pain, but, please, if you have not been to your doctor over this episode, get it checked out, it is always best to be safe than sorry, then, you can also discuss these other things with him/her as well.

Hope this has helped.
God bless
Susie