Re: Armpit pain/ tingling left arm

Posted By CCF Neurology MD - AY on October 15, 1998 at 08:17:21:

In Reply to: Armpit pain/ tingling left arm posted by Tammy on October 15, 1998 at 07:51:18:






Hello, I am a 32 year old woman with 3 young children.  For the past 3 weeks I have been experiencing a dull pain in my left armpit, not in the center, but slightly towards the breast. I don't feel any defined lumps.  I also have been experiencing tingling and heaviness in my left arm down to the palm of my hand (sometimes on the right side) for the past year. There is no specific time of day that the pain or tingling occurs, and caffiene seems to intensify the tingling. There is also pain under my left shoulder blade and at the top of the left hip.  I was told by a "craft festival chiropractor" that I was "out of alignment".  I do have a tendency to carry my 2 year old on my left hip which could explain that. I have just recently become a stay at home Mom coming from a backround of bookeeping.
Do I really need to see a doctor, chiropractor etc, and who would know the most about this type of thing?




Thanks for your question.  It is difficult to provide a definitive diagnosis
for your symptoms without the benefit of a physical/neurological exam, but
some of symptoms are suggestive of a mild radiculopathy (i.e. compression
of nerve roots as they exit the spine).  Although cervical spine problems
are less frequent in younger patients like you, it can be exacerbated by
weight-bearing (carrying children or other heavy objects).  An examination
by a general neurologist would greatly help in clarifying the cause of
your symptoms, and it would evaluate the need for imaging studies of your
neck region.
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.