Horrible pain

I have had chronic pain in my left shoulder, shooting down my arm at time and pain in my left hip with shooting pains.  Sometimes my left side is so weak that I am unable to pick up and carry a gallon of milk without support from my right hand.  It has been going on for a few years but has recently gotten worse despite things I have done to try and stop it such as sleeping on my right side only, changing the size of my purse to a very small wallet size, etc, etc.  Can someone give me an idea what could cause this?  The pain is so bad at times I am brought to tears and is happening more and more often.

Kelly Reynolds

[RunningMom]

When you have muscle weakness it is a medical emergency and you NEED to go to your doctor ASAP!  It could be a herniated disc on your spinal cord, which could result in you becoming paralized.  I too, had weakness and I had a spinal fusion.  Please see your doctor right away.  Take care.

[Sarajmt]

Hi Kelly:  You do need to see a doctor.  Those symptoms sound similar to mine before I had a cervical fusion.  As long as this is not a heart problem or stroke, you should have your doctor MRI your neck.  The cervical neck nerve when compromised will exhibit these types of symptoms.  

I would like to welcome you to our community of chronic pain patients.  While we're not doctors, we do have a lot of knowledgeable people here.  We are happy to have you join us.

Sara

[namnam46]

Hi Kelly,

I want to welcome you to the Pain Management Forum and let you know that I'm so glad that you have joined our Forum. This is a Forum made up of CP (Chronic Pain) Patients. There are NO Doctors on this forum at all. We all share our Pain experiences and try to help each other out with our experiences the that each of us have experienced.

I'm so very concerned about you and the pain that you are having. Just as Sara and RunningMom have suggested I would hope that you would make an appointment with your PCP and let him check you over and see what is causing your weakness. This is something that you most definitely need to get checked out.

I hope that you will do this within the next few days as I  am assuming that this has ben going on for quite some time.

Please get back with us and kep us updated as we are all concerned about you...Sherry

[kreynolds915]

Thank you guys for your response, I am actually thinking about the ER next time it gets really bad.  I also have heart issues and I had one Dr. tell me next time I had a heart problem to go the ER because they would do more test without money up front than the Dr. would.  I thought it to be pretty cold and assume it would be the same with this.  Health care is a nightmare and I don't seek it out unless I have no choice.

I'm in quite a bit of pain now, I went grocery shopping, loaded, unload them and then cooked dinner.  :(  There are times when it feels as if I'm just dragging my entire left side around because of the weakness.  

Thanks again and I will let you know what I find out.

[Sarajmt]

Kelly:  If you have a history of heart problems, PLEASE, GO NOW!!  This is not something you want to ignore or wait around on.  Please go to the ER now!
Sara

[namnam46]

Kelly:

Sara is ABSOLUTELY correct!! You need to go to the ER NOW!!!  PLEASE DON'T WAIT!! You didn't mention earlier that you have a History of Heart Issues!! That's a REALLY big thing to leave out.

PLEASE GO!!....Sherry

[kreynolds915]

Ok, I did make an appt for Monday morning to see the Dr.  I really believe the heart thing is minor, I'm on a low dose beta blocker but you guys have made a believer of me.  Thank you so much for the feedback!  I'll let you know what I find out.  Ugh!  I hate going to the Dr.

Kelly

[kreynolds915]

Went to see the Dr. yesterday morning, said I had cervical radiculopathy.  I looked it up and found that means a slipped disk.  She prescribed 20 mg prendisone (steroid) and 10 mg cyclobenazprine, flexeril. (muscle relaxer)  had a really hard time last night with pain so I don't know how I feel about the meds so far.  I guess it takes time?  I am being scheduled for a MRI so I'll endure until then and see what that shows I guess.  I would prefer something that could make me a little more comfortable RIGHT NOW though.  We'll see what happens.

I would have never gone if it weren't for you guys so many many thanks to you!  At least I am now started on finding a way to help this.  

[namnam46]

Hi Kelly,

I'm so very glad that you went to the Dr. I really hop that the meds help. It will take a little time for them to get inot your system. Also, understand that you don't always get the correct dose or even the correct meds that take care of the pain the first time. It may take a couple of times before everything is working perfectly!!!

I would imagine that your Dr. is going to wait to see the MRI results so he knows the extent of your problems. Then he will know what to do pain wise for you. When is your MRI scheduled for?

I'm so glad that you went!!!!......Sherry

[mellie4]

I'm glad you went, too.  There are lots of things to try and hopefully, after you get your MRI and they know exactly what you're dealing with, they'll have things to alleviate some of your pain a bit better.

Did they suggest ibuprofen or ice?  Not sure if you can take ibuprofen with your heart issue, but it does help with swelling.  Even with all the meds I'm on for the different issues, I'd never give up my good old ibuprofen.