Aa
Pain in my arm and on the side of my chest
I'm having a nerve issues and need the right set of eyes on this so I can be treated with the correct diagnosis.
The event that sent me to the doctor was waking up one morning in August of 2010 with numb toes and numb hands. Tops of both, as well as a small circular area on the back of my head.
Over a year ago, I began to have double vision. I thought it caused by the light reflection from the work I do as it would not be there in the morning but worsen throughout the day. I bought a pair of polarized lens which lessened the effect of this. Today, I haven’t had problems with double vision, but my vision now changes where it actually improves to the point I can’t stand wearing my glasses for near slightness.
The doctor performed a glucose tolerance test. It was normal.
I had MRIs done on both my brain and spinal column.
In December, doctors diagnosed me with MS and sent me to a specialist.
The specialist, after viewing the MRIs, lesions on the brain, no lesions on the spine, and EMG, and a spinal tap I had done, which showed negative for MS. She felt I did not have MS.
I've also have these strange feelings in my head where it feels like I'm going to pass out, or feel a swimming in my head. Neither of these describes this accurately, the closes I can get, it’s like getting up off the floor and having that head rush.
Long ago, I would get these feeling while looking up for an extended period of time, but to a much lesser degree.
I used to do this exercise where I would place my hands on the back of my legs and put my head on the floor while standing on tip-toes and roll my head back and forth. It caused discomfort in my head and I stopped. That’s been three to four years ago.
Since then, I’ve had pain in my chest, and would feel pain shoot down my left arm. Because you hear this type of pain could be a heart attack, I told the doctor I’ve had hundreds of heart attacks each day.
He said that wasn’t possible. (of course, he was right)
I came to realize, the location of my left arm had something to do with the pain if I held my arm to closely next to my side, (which I do off and on performing my work.)
I also have hundreds of lipolmas, (discovered these in my early twenties.)
I figured out one of these lipolmas on the side of my chest, about 3 inches down from my armpit, would cause the pain when I pressed against it.
The doctor scheduled a stress test for my heart and wanted me to see a surgeon for the lipolmas.
I had several lipolmas removed on 1-12-11. The pain in my chest went away as a result. Later, I told the doctor if I put pressure where the lipolma was located, I could still bring the pain back. He thought time would heal.
It’s been over two months; it hasn’t gotten better.
When I went in for the stress test, they kept placing a blood pressure cuff on my left arm while on the treadmill. One time, the lady got the cuff on as high as it would go. When it pumped up, it caused a sharp pain in my arm.
After sleeping with my arm above my head, the numbness in my hands and on my head goes away. The numbness in my feet seems less.
It’s gotten to the point where I have to keep my arm away from my chest. If I don’t, the feeling in my head gets worse. The back of my calves and my left eye will twitch. It makes the numbness in my hands return.
As of today, there is no weakness or loss of motor skills.
The event that sent me to the doctor was waking up one morning in August of 2010 with numb toes and numb hands. Tops of both, as well as a small circular area on the back of my head.
Over a year ago, I began to have double vision. I thought it caused by the light reflection from the work I do as it would not be there in the morning but worsen throughout the day. I bought a pair of polarized lens which lessened the effect of this. Today, I haven’t had problems with double vision, but my vision now changes where it actually improves to the point I can’t stand wearing my glasses for near slightness.
The doctor performed a glucose tolerance test. It was normal.
I had MRIs done on both my brain and spinal column.
In December, doctors diagnosed me with MS and sent me to a specialist.
The specialist, after viewing the MRIs, lesions on the brain, no lesions on the spine, and EMG, and a spinal tap I had done, which showed negative for MS. She felt I did not have MS.
I've also have these strange feelings in my head where it feels like I'm going to pass out, or feel a swimming in my head. Neither of these describes this accurately, the closes I can get, it’s like getting up off the floor and having that head rush.
Long ago, I would get these feeling while looking up for an extended period of time, but to a much lesser degree.
I used to do this exercise where I would place my hands on the back of my legs and put my head on the floor while standing on tip-toes and roll my head back and forth. It caused discomfort in my head and I stopped. That’s been three to four years ago.
Since then, I’ve had pain in my chest, and would feel pain shoot down my left arm. Because you hear this type of pain could be a heart attack, I told the doctor I’ve had hundreds of heart attacks each day.
He said that wasn’t possible. (of course, he was right)
I came to realize, the location of my left arm had something to do with the pain if I held my arm to closely next to my side, (which I do off and on performing my work.)
I also have hundreds of lipolmas, (discovered these in my early twenties.)
I figured out one of these lipolmas on the side of my chest, about 3 inches down from my armpit, would cause the pain when I pressed against it.
The doctor scheduled a stress test for my heart and wanted me to see a surgeon for the lipolmas.
I had several lipolmas removed on 1-12-11. The pain in my chest went away as a result. Later, I told the doctor if I put pressure where the lipolma was located, I could still bring the pain back. He thought time would heal.
It’s been over two months; it hasn’t gotten better.
When I went in for the stress test, they kept placing a blood pressure cuff on my left arm while on the treadmill. One time, the lady got the cuff on as high as it would go. When it pumped up, it caused a sharp pain in my arm.
After sleeping with my arm above my head, the numbness in my hands and on my head goes away. The numbness in my feet seems less.
It’s gotten to the point where I have to keep my arm away from my chest. If I don’t, the feeling in my head gets worse. The back of my calves and my left eye will twitch. It makes the numbness in my hands return.
As of today, there is no weakness or loss of motor skills.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi, Carl. It's been a while.
One thing to notice is that your path report says "homogenous", so therefore it's not fibrotic.
If you're curious, on youtube and elsewhere there's a pathologist named washingtondeceit and he has an example of a normal, homogenous lipoma.
>> I'm thinking now, more than ever, that these episodes in my head are brought on by eating
Besides fasting hypoglycemia, there is also reactive hypoglycemia (i.e. insulin based and probably associated with blood sugar metabolism problems). Keep in mind that a fasting glucose test is the last thing to go bad. So a glucose tolerance test can show a problem before that, or else a hemoglobin A1C.
If you don't have an Fx of diabetes, that all seems less likely.
For allergy, you'd normally try food elimination and see if things get better. In your case, I'd do the opposite: keep a log of what you eat and what symptoms occur afterward to see if there is any correlation.
Or maybe in walking you were exposed to some airborne pathogen.
You can get a cheap blood pressure cuff with stethoscope attached.
Good luck, I hope you're making some progress on the puzzle.
One thing to notice is that your path report says "homogenous", so therefore it's not fibrotic.
If you're curious, on youtube and elsewhere there's a pathologist named washingtondeceit and he has an example of a normal, homogenous lipoma.
>> I'm thinking now, more than ever, that these episodes in my head are brought on by eating
Besides fasting hypoglycemia, there is also reactive hypoglycemia (i.e. insulin based and probably associated with blood sugar metabolism problems). Keep in mind that a fasting glucose test is the last thing to go bad. So a glucose tolerance test can show a problem before that, or else a hemoglobin A1C.
If you don't have an Fx of diabetes, that all seems less likely.
For allergy, you'd normally try food elimination and see if things get better. In your case, I'd do the opposite: keep a log of what you eat and what symptoms occur afterward to see if there is any correlation.
Or maybe in walking you were exposed to some airborne pathogen.
You can get a cheap blood pressure cuff with stethoscope attached.
Good luck, I hope you're making some progress on the puzzle.
Ken,
If you ever get back to looking this over, the most important thing you can recommend would be the blood work you would order and what each of those test is checking for.
Thanks for all the help
Carl
If you ever get back to looking this over, the most important thing you can recommend would be the blood work you would order and what each of those test is checking for.
Thanks for all the help
Carl
Hey Ken,
I'm thinking now, more than ever, that these episodes in my head are brought on by eating. I don't know what would make that happen other than diabetes, and the Doctor said that wasn't the case.
I'm thinking now, more than ever, that these episodes in my head are brought on by eating. I don't know what would make that happen other than diabetes, and the Doctor said that wasn't the case.
>>Relationship of Iron to Oligodendrocytes and Myelination
Ken, I'm in the middle of reading the link you provided on the above.
>>Carl, I hope these scattered observations might be of some help. I think that if you persevere then you will overcome the problem. Along the way you'll become a near expert in many health matters. You'll need a doc to write orders for tests, but you maybe can do much or most of the diagnosis on your own.
I hope you find time to return. All the info you impart is helpful and appreciated. I won't and/or it'll take me a lot longer without your help.
Ken, I'm in the middle of reading the link you provided on the above.
>>Carl, I hope these scattered observations might be of some help. I think that if you persevere then you will overcome the problem. Along the way you'll become a near expert in many health matters. You'll need a doc to write orders for tests, but you maybe can do much or most of the diagnosis on your own.
I hope you find time to return. All the info you impart is helpful and appreciated. I won't and/or it'll take me a lot longer without your help.
>>Are you getting poisoned by something at work? E.g., are you better after 2 weeks away from there.
I had looked forward to seeing if there may be something along this line. If there is, two weeks wasn't enough time to make it happen. Although, I've been really trying hard to keep my left arm away from my side.
As a result, I went Monday and half of today without the light-headedness. My wife and I walk two mile nearly everyday. I sparked an episode half way through our walk. Although, we were both eating oranges while we walked. (a source of sugar)
I'll try to stay away from the sugar and fructose.
I list more later. Time to read for pleasure for a bit.
I had looked forward to seeing if there may be something along this line. If there is, two weeks wasn't enough time to make it happen. Although, I've been really trying hard to keep my left arm away from my side.
As a result, I went Monday and half of today without the light-headedness. My wife and I walk two mile nearly everyday. I sparked an episode half way through our walk. Although, we were both eating oranges while we walked. (a source of sugar)
I'll try to stay away from the sugar and fructose.
I list more later. Time to read for pleasure for a bit.
>>Can we eliminate the mysterious Lyme Disease as possible in your state of MI?
Not until I.m tested, (which I might as well do; I'm testing for everything else)
Not until I.m tested, (which I might as well do; I'm testing for everything else)
>>Maybe sleep helps mainly because you are lying down and getting more O2 in the brain
If I keep my arm away from my side, even while at work, eliminates the symptoms.
If I keep my arm away from my side, even while at work, eliminates the symptoms.
*standing* the reason why you experience symptoms at work?
Usually sit while performing work, although I'm up and down often, (getting more work to the work station.) Experience symptoms at work because I can't always remember to keep my arm away from my side. It doesn't hurt to put my arm at my side, it starts hurting after my arm has been there for awhile.
Usually sit while performing work, although I'm up and down often, (getting more work to the work station.) Experience symptoms at work because I can't always remember to keep my arm away from my side. It doesn't hurt to put my arm at my side, it starts hurting after my arm has been there for awhile.
>>Do you have any tests when your ferritin was okay?
Not that I'm aware of.
>>Why was it tested anyway? Were they looking for low iron as the cause of light-headedness (which creates hypoxia)?
Yes, they tested ferritin after I said light-headedness.
Not that I'm aware of.
>>Why was it tested anyway? Were they looking for low iron as the cause of light-headedness (which creates hypoxia)?
Yes, they tested ferritin after I said light-headedness.
>>do you restrict iron intake?
The only change is using vitamins w/out iron. Red meat intake is usually low.
The only change is using vitamins w/out iron. Red meat intake is usually low.
>>melatonin: do you sleep 8 hours? if not, I'd try it and see if you are better for longer in the morning
Usually sleep between 4 to 6 hrs a night depending on how tired I am. I'll ask my wife to pick some up next time she goes to the store and let you know.
Usually sleep between 4 to 6 hrs a night depending on how tired I am. I'll ask my wife to pick some up next time she goes to the store and let you know.
By the time I got home, this question formulated in my mind all day, an once I sat down here, I have to ask:. Why did you want to know about the sugar/fructose intake--and then say, stop immediately?
>>Btw, do you consume lots of sugar/fructose? If so, I'd stop immediately.
I wouldn't know how much sugar/fructose I consume.
I don't drink pop. I eat chocolate, though usually only one or two candy bars a week.
I usually eat lunch out, chicken sandwiches being the primary choice. (I don't order fries)
Outside of that, I don't read labels on the stuff my wife fixes for dinner.
I wouldn't know how much sugar/fructose I consume.
I don't drink pop. I eat chocolate, though usually only one or two candy bars a week.
I usually eat lunch out, chicken sandwiches being the primary choice. (I don't order fries)
Outside of that, I don't read labels on the stuff my wife fixes for dinner.
Side note: I received in the mail a reminder that's it's time for my fasting blood work to be done. (did it a year ago around this time)
Is there anything I should ask for in light of the way I've been feeling?
Is there anything I should ask for in light of the way I've been feeling?
>>Why was it tested anyway? Were they looking for low iron as the cause of light-headedness (which creates hypoxia)?
Because I complained about light-headedness, I would believe you are correct.
Because I complained about light-headedness, I would believe you are correct.
>>do you restrict iron intake? You can't make iron, you have to eat it - like all minerals.
I've never thought to restrict iron.
I've never thought to restrict iron.
>>were they [lipoma] ever pressed on so hard before?
Usually the cuff rest close to your elbow, not next to your armpit. She had already taken BP several time before on the same arm without generating pain. The pain was sharp and I only felt it the one time during the stress test.
Afterward, I could press at the point the pain was generated and reproduce it. Just like I can still bring back the chest pain by pressing on my side where the scar is located where the lipoma was removed.
Usually the cuff rest close to your elbow, not next to your armpit. She had already taken BP several time before on the same arm without generating pain. The pain was sharp and I only felt it the one time during the stress test.
Afterward, I could press at the point the pain was generated and reproduce it. Just like I can still bring back the chest pain by pressing on my side where the scar is located where the lipoma was removed.
Ken,
Being off for two weeks has turned my clock around. Back tomorrow. I'm going to catch up on what I missed last night.
Being off for two weeks has turned my clock around. Back tomorrow. I'm going to catch up on what I missed last night.
>>non-alcoholic fatty liver disease<<
The missing comment had went something like this:
I had a eurka moment reading one of the links you gave me. The initial visit to the surgeon removing the left half of my thyroid had me lay on his table while he pressed somewhat hard against my stomach just below the ribs on the right side. He was checking the liver. He had been listening after all.
>> Neural fibrolipoma<<
I picked up a copy of the pathology report for the lipomas from the surgeon's office on my way home from work.
Verbatim, this is what it says.
A microscopic examination is performed: GROSS DESCRIPTION: The specimen is received in formalin labeled "Lee Carl" and designated multiple truncal lipomas. It consists of five similar, golden yellow, lobulated portons of adipose tissue which togehter measure 5.5 X 4.0 X 1.5 cm. The portions are inked and cross sectioned. Cut surface shows a homogeneous, golden yellow parenchyma. No masses are seen. Two representative cross sections are submitted in one cassette.
It doesn't seem like much to me. Is there any info you need besides this?
I picked up a copy of the pathology report for the lipomas from the surgeon's office on my way home from work.
Verbatim, this is what it says.
A microscopic examination is performed: GROSS DESCRIPTION: The specimen is received in formalin labeled "Lee Carl" and designated multiple truncal lipomas. It consists of five similar, golden yellow, lobulated portons of adipose tissue which togehter measure 5.5 X 4.0 X 1.5 cm. The portions are inked and cross sectioned. Cut surface shows a homogeneous, golden yellow parenchyma. No masses are seen. Two representative cross sections are submitted in one cassette.
It doesn't seem like much to me. Is there any info you need besides this?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Community
An interview with the co-discoverer of one of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer research
From causes to treatment options, get answers to your questions about CML, a type of blood cancer
New drug options on the horizon may make CML, a type of blood cancer, one of the few success stories in cancer treatment
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
