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.
>>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.
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.
