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History of VA now suffers with chronic pain on left arm
Hi, I had a Vehicular accident almost 3 years ago, i don't have any fracture but i suffered with whiplash and spinal spasm...on the day of my discharged I fainted and end up to be admitted again and found out I was allergic to spinal spasm meds. For the nth time an IV catheter was re-inserted...then after a week I was HAMA coz i don't want to missed my schooling.
Since then I have this pain in the arms, mostly in IV site and radiates on my shoulder from arms, then elbow and most of the time at my left side...I haven't seek any doctors yet..coz I'm scared. I'm self-suspecting either juvenile arthritis but i have no inflammation. I also suspect CTS or carpal tunnel syndrome..since I'm a fast typist..related to my profession...I used computer everyday for long hours.. Obviously it's a chronic pain already...nowadays the pain last for hours, at times days and I'm used with it but at times, I cant take it anymore...NSAIDs are no help unless high dose of it but i don't want to develop resistance which I guess I am already.
What should I do? Is it related to my history of VA or IV site insertion? My heart condition is ok...i went to 2d echo already and my heart is healthy..
Hope for your kind reply..
Since then I have this pain in the arms, mostly in IV site and radiates on my shoulder from arms, then elbow and most of the time at my left side...I haven't seek any doctors yet..coz I'm scared. I'm self-suspecting either juvenile arthritis but i have no inflammation. I also suspect CTS or carpal tunnel syndrome..since I'm a fast typist..related to my profession...I used computer everyday for long hours.. Obviously it's a chronic pain already...nowadays the pain last for hours, at times days and I'm used with it but at times, I cant take it anymore...NSAIDs are no help unless high dose of it but i don't want to develop resistance which I guess I am already.
What should I do? Is it related to my history of VA or IV site insertion? My heart condition is ok...i went to 2d echo already and my heart is healthy..
Hope for your kind reply..
missdior: Thank You. I wish you best of luck too.
Tuck: Thanks a bunch. Yep I'm aware of the state board. If I will pass my license exam here locally. That would be my next step. NCLEX. My folks are in Las Vegas, then my mom's sister is in Marysville, WA. That's the options they had for me. And I'm eventually excited. Passing NCLEX is something.
So somehow studying makes me forget I'm in pain. but when we discuss related medical issues. It makes me terrified.
Somehow either I do believed pains are psychological and it's definitely subjective.
But yep I'm decided to have MRI. Hopefully sooner than I think. Things are just beyond my control as of the moment.
Once again guys thank you so much. You're a complete help to me. God bless always.
Tuck: Thanks a bunch. Yep I'm aware of the state board. If I will pass my license exam here locally. That would be my next step. NCLEX. My folks are in Las Vegas, then my mom's sister is in Marysville, WA. That's the options they had for me. And I'm eventually excited. Passing NCLEX is something.
So somehow studying makes me forget I'm in pain. but when we discuss related medical issues. It makes me terrified.
Somehow either I do believed pains are psychological and it's definitely subjective.
But yep I'm decided to have MRI. Hopefully sooner than I think. Things are just beyond my control as of the moment.
Once again guys thank you so much. You're a complete help to me. God bless always.
I am confident that you will pass that nursing examination. In my location of the US we call it "state boards." They are a frightening test of how well you learned what you were taught. Most every nursing student dreads those state boards. :) You'll be a find addition to the profession.
You are so correct that one must continue to learn and search for knowledge. It does not end with graduation in any field.
You are living "proof of stubborn Medical Practitioner." Ppl in the medical field tend to avoid seeking help from our profession. I think we all hate to be patients. :)
Don't wait too long to get to the bottom of your symptoms. As you know if not treated initially, time can make the injuries more complex.
I'll look forward to your update.
Blessings,
~Tuck
You are so correct that one must continue to learn and search for knowledge. It does not end with graduation in any field.
You are living "proof of stubborn Medical Practitioner." Ppl in the medical field tend to avoid seeking help from our profession. I think we all hate to be patients. :)
Don't wait too long to get to the bottom of your symptoms. As you know if not treated initially, time can make the injuries more complex.
I'll look forward to your update.
Blessings,
~Tuck
Congratulations on wanting to be a nurse:) I went to school for physical therapy tech myself.
I totally understand your feeling of not wanting to be a patient. I was in a car accident 2 months ago. Hit head on at 50-55mph. Needless to say, I am sick of seeing dr.s already. It's hard having people stare when I am limping, or when my arm muscles spasm. I rarely leave my house because of it. But I must say that reading posts on this site has helped, because I don't feel so alone. Everyone I have chatted with on here has been so kind and helpful. I totally understand everything that you feel emotionally about what you are going through. I wish you the best of luck!
God Bless
I totally understand your feeling of not wanting to be a patient. I was in a car accident 2 months ago. Hit head on at 50-55mph. Needless to say, I am sick of seeing dr.s already. It's hard having people stare when I am limping, or when my arm muscles spasm. I rarely leave my house because of it. But I must say that reading posts on this site has helped, because I don't feel so alone. Everyone I have chatted with on here has been so kind and helpful. I totally understand everything that you feel emotionally about what you are going through. I wish you the best of luck!
God Bless
Actually I'm 31 years old female, currently residing here in Philippines. Ironically I Just took the Nurses License Exam, In God's grace, sooner or later I'll be a Registered Nurse. And it seems I'm the living proof of stubborn Medical Practitioner (lol).
God is just so good. It took me some time thinking to search for online forums about Pain Managements --for instinct reasons. Coz no matter how you're into it., knowledge for that matter, There's still lacking...deep research and continuous learning still a necessity. And constructive advices like yours partly ease the pain.
Anyhow, thank you so much for your help guys... we're completely strangers but I can feel your genuine advice to my case...
I will reply so soon after my initial check-up.
God bless always.
God is just so good. It took me some time thinking to search for online forums about Pain Managements --for instinct reasons. Coz no matter how you're into it., knowledge for that matter, There's still lacking...deep research and continuous learning still a necessity. And constructive advices like yours partly ease the pain.
Anyhow, thank you so much for your help guys... we're completely strangers but I can feel your genuine advice to my case...
I will reply so soon after my initial check-up.
God bless always.
Sorry Tylermari,
We're all suggesting the same as your friends...see your PCP.
You appear to be an intelligent person. I don't understand your refusal to seek medical treatment or why you refused to wear a cervical collar as ordered. I doubt your physician would have ordered it had it not been necessary. They are usually ordered when muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues have been damaged. It allows the area to heal and reduces the stress and "work" on your injured structures. The physician may have allowed it to come off sooner and/or ordered PT to help you get back your strength and reduce your pain.
Unfortunately our bodies are not indestructible. There is no shame in pain....if there were we'd all be hanging our heads. I hope none of us feel like we are "center of piteousness." ....With or without pain we are all valuable humans.
If a physician told you that you had juvenile arthritis you probably have it.
None of us can tell you for certain the reason you are having pain. There are several possibilities that can only be confirmed by a physician. I wish you the best and hope that you will seek medical treatment. You are the Captain of your Ship.
Best of Luck.
Peace,
~Tuck
We're all suggesting the same as your friends...see your PCP.
You appear to be an intelligent person. I don't understand your refusal to seek medical treatment or why you refused to wear a cervical collar as ordered. I doubt your physician would have ordered it had it not been necessary. They are usually ordered when muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues have been damaged. It allows the area to heal and reduces the stress and "work" on your injured structures. The physician may have allowed it to come off sooner and/or ordered PT to help you get back your strength and reduce your pain.
Unfortunately our bodies are not indestructible. There is no shame in pain....if there were we'd all be hanging our heads. I hope none of us feel like we are "center of piteousness." ....With or without pain we are all valuable humans.
If a physician told you that you had juvenile arthritis you probably have it.
None of us can tell you for certain the reason you are having pain. There are several possibilities that can only be confirmed by a physician. I wish you the best and hope that you will seek medical treatment. You are the Captain of your Ship.
Best of Luck.
Peace,
~Tuck
It definetly sounds like something in your cervical spine. I have two herniated or ruptured discs in my neck and I have pain radiating down my arm as well. It's a similar feeling to the pain Carpal Tunnel can cause, (as I've had that too from typing), but it's all the way down the arm, whereas CTS is usually in the forearms and fingers.
My husband was in an MVA but had multiple fractures and died on the scene. He can relate to your PTSD. In his MVA, one of his nerves was actually seperated from the spinal cord, like yanked out, and it is held together by a bursae (a fluid filled sac). He had to have surgery on his elbow also for nerve entrapment years after the MVA.
Definetly go for the MRI. It will be worth the money to know what's going on with yourself and not be so worried about it being something else. Young men can be awful about taking care of themselves sometimes, so I'm going to get on you and tell you to go see the doctor! Jaybay is right, take care of it now so permanent damage isn't done.
Also, with the neck brace: I have always been told that "babying" the muscles in my neck by wearing a brace or not using my arm can cause more atrophy of the muscles. When this first happened I tried not to use my arm much because it hurt. When I did PT a year later I was in agony getting those muscles to start building again. On the other hand, your doctor told you to use it and I don't know how much damage it could do in 3 months and it may help the spasms. So there are pros and cons to both.
Once you find out what's going on, I recommend building all the stregnth in your neck and arm that you can. I have heard you can pull the vertebrae in line by building muscle strength. I plan on trying that (when my baby is born and I can do some good training), myself as I think it's the only good way to 'get better' without surgery.
I hope you get it checked out and get to feeling better soon!
My husband was in an MVA but had multiple fractures and died on the scene. He can relate to your PTSD. In his MVA, one of his nerves was actually seperated from the spinal cord, like yanked out, and it is held together by a bursae (a fluid filled sac). He had to have surgery on his elbow also for nerve entrapment years after the MVA.
Definetly go for the MRI. It will be worth the money to know what's going on with yourself and not be so worried about it being something else. Young men can be awful about taking care of themselves sometimes, so I'm going to get on you and tell you to go see the doctor! Jaybay is right, take care of it now so permanent damage isn't done.
Also, with the neck brace: I have always been told that "babying" the muscles in my neck by wearing a brace or not using my arm can cause more atrophy of the muscles. When this first happened I tried not to use my arm much because it hurt. When I did PT a year later I was in agony getting those muscles to start building again. On the other hand, your doctor told you to use it and I don't know how much damage it could do in 3 months and it may help the spasms. So there are pros and cons to both.
Once you find out what's going on, I recommend building all the stregnth in your neck and arm that you can. I have heard you can pull the vertebrae in line by building muscle strength. I plan on trying that (when my baby is born and I can do some good training), myself as I think it's the only good way to 'get better' without surgery.
I hope you get it checked out and get to feeling better soon!
Thanks for your reply guys. I truly appreciate it.
I remember I had abdomen ultrasound during my confinement coz I complaint of pain in my lower left quadrant abdomen, this symptoms had occurred before the VA, like something there is swollen. Then the doctor told me, it's just an inflammation in my false rib's underlying tissues...probable juvenile arthritis as she add up. I asked why on my ribs, and not in my knee's joints or somewhere familiar sites. The doctor replied it rarely happens.
But my most concern is the pain on my left arms that all starts really after my 2 weeks hospitalization from VA with multiple attempts on inserting the IV catheter because my veins collapse from time to time...
I supposed to have MRI that time but I refused...it's kinda expensive here in my country and I have this guilt since I don't have fractures as to x-rays result... I dunno accidents really happens...that time I had this PTSD. And really stressed out. I was told to wear cervical neck brace for 3 months, but i just have 1 month 'cause I don't like people in the school staring at me like I'm so helpless.
Does that cervical brace supposedly will help me by then? If I did wear for specific time allocated, probably I never have this pain? It was really painful without the brace but I choose not to be the center of piteousness.
I never told my family about this. But my friends yes...and they're all typical..seek medical treatment ASAP....arrgg I don't want to be a patient again...
As to my alternative treatment....hot compress help ease the pain...massage helps too..but just for a moment, after the liniments applied and effectiveness subside, I'm in pain again.
I remember I had abdomen ultrasound during my confinement coz I complaint of pain in my lower left quadrant abdomen, this symptoms had occurred before the VA, like something there is swollen. Then the doctor told me, it's just an inflammation in my false rib's underlying tissues...probable juvenile arthritis as she add up. I asked why on my ribs, and not in my knee's joints or somewhere familiar sites. The doctor replied it rarely happens.
But my most concern is the pain on my left arms that all starts really after my 2 weeks hospitalization from VA with multiple attempts on inserting the IV catheter because my veins collapse from time to time...
I supposed to have MRI that time but I refused...it's kinda expensive here in my country and I have this guilt since I don't have fractures as to x-rays result... I dunno accidents really happens...that time I had this PTSD. And really stressed out. I was told to wear cervical neck brace for 3 months, but i just have 1 month 'cause I don't like people in the school staring at me like I'm so helpless.
Does that cervical brace supposedly will help me by then? If I did wear for specific time allocated, probably I never have this pain? It was really painful without the brace but I choose not to be the center of piteousness.
I never told my family about this. But my friends yes...and they're all typical..seek medical treatment ASAP....arrgg I don't want to be a patient again...
As to my alternative treatment....hot compress help ease the pain...massage helps too..but just for a moment, after the liniments applied and effectiveness subside, I'm in pain again.
Hello Tylerman,
Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry that you are having undiagnosed chronic pain. We can relate as we know how pain can disrupt our daily lives.
Jaybay may be correct. it makes sense that you injured a disc during the MVA. If not that then there are other structural injuries that could be possible. However only an MRI can provide a diagnosis with any certainty as Jaybay indicated.
Your symptoms could be carpel tunnel but is seems strange that it would have coincided with your MVA. Juvenile diabetes would not be so localized. I would suspect your symptoms would be more wide spread.
A nerve could have also been injured when the IV was inserted but you would have felt that pain initially and not days or weeks later.
So I think you come back to a cervical injury. I know it must be frightening when you are so young...but it could be something as simply as your cervical area is just "out" most likely from the whiplash.
Early treatment is important no matter what the problem so please don't wait any longer to consult your PCP. It should be painless and your mind will be at ease. I hope you will let us know how you are doing. We will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
~Tuck.
Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry that you are having undiagnosed chronic pain. We can relate as we know how pain can disrupt our daily lives.
Jaybay may be correct. it makes sense that you injured a disc during the MVA. If not that then there are other structural injuries that could be possible. However only an MRI can provide a diagnosis with any certainty as Jaybay indicated.
Your symptoms could be carpel tunnel but is seems strange that it would have coincided with your MVA. Juvenile diabetes would not be so localized. I would suspect your symptoms would be more wide spread.
A nerve could have also been injured when the IV was inserted but you would have felt that pain initially and not days or weeks later.
So I think you come back to a cervical injury. I know it must be frightening when you are so young...but it could be something as simply as your cervical area is just "out" most likely from the whiplash.
Early treatment is important no matter what the problem so please don't wait any longer to consult your PCP. It should be painless and your mind will be at ease. I hope you will let us know how you are doing. We will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
~Tuck.
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I urge you to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If I'm right, no amount of over-the-counter medication will help, and it's entirely possible for your symptoms to continue to worsen. I do understand that you're scared, but I'm afraid the longer you wait the more difficult it will be for you to seek the medical help you need. Please don't wait an more and risk making any nerve damage and related pain not only worse, but possibly irreversible.