arm pain

[whisperwolf]

I am a 38 y/o woman with my left arm that has been hurting from the shoulder to the fingertips and been getting worse over the past few weeks.  The whole arm hurts if I lay on my left side too long and it gets very cold, sometimes the hand will look pale.  The pain seems to be centered underneath my upper arm, just below the armpit.  It doesn't really seem to be numb, but feels heavy a lot of the time.  Twelve years ago, I dislocated the elbow on that arm and was told I had a pinched nerve in my elbow but that only made my two little fingers go to sleep on occassion.  

I am wondering if this is a neurological problem or a circulatory one?

I do have severe migraines and wondered if this was another symptom of migraine?

[whisperwolf]

Thank You Dr. for your response.  

I have been evaluated for diabetes, and am not diabetic.  I seldom drink alcohol.  My neurologist does not think it is a neurological issue.  That leaves the circulatory disturbance or pinched nerve.  I do have other cardiac symptoms (SOB, cough,fatigue, weakness, paleness, chest pain, fainting), but so far EKG's, ECHO and blood work have been normal.  I am trying to get my doctor to order a stress test.  

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

From the symptoms you describe, it sounds that it could be a circulatory disturbance (due to compression of blood vessels) or a nerve pinched.  This may most likely occurs due to any clots in blood vessels ( or blood vessel spasms occur due to cold weather/medical condition that block blood flow to the fingers, toes, nose and ears),  excessive alcohol use or diabetes. I would suggest evaluating all the possibilities with the help of a doctor first. Further referral to a neurologist will surely help you in getting a more precise opinion here in terms of your other associated symptoms like migraine. Hope this information proves help you.

[whisperwolf]

since i didn't get an answer, I will answer my own question.  Saw my doctor and she said that I am actually cutting of the circulation to my whole arm when I lay on it.  Since I am young, she said not to worry about it.  If It gets worse, or my pulse in my wrist ever becomes very poor, or I ever have heart problems, then she said it would be an area of concern.