Pain in arm

[CvilleMamaOf5]

Last night before bed I started experiencing pain in my right arm. I've been having L'hermittes in my right side for a month but no pain. I thought maybe it was hurting because I was tired but I couldn't sleep all night because of this pain. All day I've had this pain. It hurts when I move my arm or turn my head. I've taked ibuprofen and tramadol but nothing seems to help.

I've also had a cramping like pain in my abdomen and it stretches across to my back... Anyone know what these things could be? Should I notify my doctor when I have new problems/symptoms? I'm new to this side of MS so any comments or suggestions are welcome. --Thank you!

[CvilleMamaOf5]

Thanks, I'm used to notifying my doctor when I have new symptoms to help them reach a diagnosis. Do I continue to do the same after the diagnosis? I haven't started my new med yet. I'm waiting on the nurse to come show me what to do, so in the mean time I should just keep calling my doctor when I have new things come up?

[doublevision1]

If it were me, I would call about the symptoms you're describing.  These are all pieces of the puzzle, and sometimes things we might dismiss ourselves are actually important details in reaching a diagnosis, whatever that diagnosis may be.  Did you doc say anything about this?  If not, why not ask him/her if it is helpful for you to call in this situation?  My neuro always reminds me at my appts to let him know if anything changes prior to my next scheduled appt.

I have continued to keep a log of my various symptoms since my dx 3 yrs ago and call my neuro's office with any new concerns or to let him know about any worsening of symptoms he already knows about.  

[CvilleMamaOf5]

Okay, that helps. I was diagnosed Friday...so up until this point I've called when there was any symptom whether it were new or returning or worsening. But, nothing was said about calling after the diagnosis. I don't want to bother them if it's just one of those things I'm going to go through and they can't do anything about.

The pain in my abdomen comes on strong for a while then will subside, it's still there but won't be as strong. The pain in my arm is just there. I've taken ibuprofen and tramadol...neither seem to help. My dr. doesn't seem to want to give pain medication. I've had a history of migraines since I was a child and they give me stuff that's like candy to me. I take it and it does the same that tylenol does...nothing! So...I guess I will call in the morning and see what they say. :) Thanks for your help.

[jen673]

Hi - I was just diagnosed with MS a few months ago and I am sure I will be asking questions just like you in the future when new symptoms pop up.  I had L'hermittes too on the right side.  It was what got me pretty much diagnosed.  I also had a throbbing pain in my arm like a turnicate was tied around it.  I was put on Gabapentin (Neurontin) for the pain and L'hermittes.  It helped.  I am still on the meds because when I started to wean myself off, it started to come back.  I just don't want to be on pain meds the rest of my life.  I haven't experienced the abdominal pain, but have read about the MS hug and sounds similar.  The best bet is to  call your doctor and if you are hurting, they can do something about for you.  Hope this helps!

Take Care of Yourself,

Jeny

[CvilleMamaOf5]

I've been on Gabepentin for about a month now. I was on the 100mg 3 times a day and started the 300mg 3 times a day a week ago. Symptoms are still the same. That's pretty much what finalized the diagnosis. They didn't want to do an MRI of my cervical spine until I mentioned the sensation in my right side to them. I had one of my brain less than a week before that!

The pain in my arm is kind of how you described as if there were a turnicate around my elbow. My arm is very weak and painful. It hurts even when I move my head from side to side. I'm used to being able to hold my baby on my left side and do everything else with my right. Obviously he's been an unhappy baby when I have to do things that require any kind of strength.

My dr. office opens in about 15 minutes so I guess I will give them a call. They did say to call if I had any problems or questions...so, I suppose this is one of those times. I just don't like to seem like I'm complaining. But it is definitely debilitating!

Thanks,
Marianne

[jen673]

Don't feel like you are bugging them, that's their job! - to help us and make if better if possible.  

It took several weeks for the Gabapentin to completely work, so give it some more time.  And if that doesn't work they can give you more - the dose you are on is very low.

Hopefully this relapse for us will start to get better and we can go on living our lives  and taking care of our children like we always have.  

My thoughts are with you:)
Jeny

[CvilleMamaOf5]

I called my neurologist and she said that they didn't want to give me any more gabapentin for this issue. I was moved up from 300mg/day to 900mg/day. I was on the 300mg/day for a month and no change so the 900mg/day I've been on for a week and no change. She said there is nothing they will do for me for this problem and I needed to just rest when I have new symptoms unless it involves my vision (which I have issues with daily).

I have 5 kids...when is there time for me to rest?! Also, I have worse pain when I lay down. She said she's never heard of the pain the way I'm describing it. I've had so many (including yourself) who has told me they've experienced this, yet they've never heard of it???

I asked if she wanted me to call when I had new symptoms since that was never discussed and she said I could if I wanted to but I don't need to unless it involves my vision. So, I guess this is the point where I just deal with it?! The pain med they gave me is like candy that makes me feel high...it doesn't take away or even dull my pain. So, why call if there's nothing they will or can do? I guess I'll just make the necessary visits and that's it. I'll have a nurse coming out soon and I guess I'll talk to them if I have a problem.

[drsdonthelp]

Ok, I am not a doc. nor do I have the expertise to give you the right advice but I have experienced the type of pain you are describing. It hurts like H E L L when lying down if the problem is in your neck. I had the pain in my arm, could not lift it up and cried everynight because I thought I was having a heart attack.
I had an MRI done and they found two bulging discs in my neck at the c5 c6 area.

I would mention this to your doc.
I feel for you, if this is what is going on... don't wait on these darn doc.s , tylenol or ibuprofin does not touch the pain.

Please keep us informed, and I wish you well,
Pam

[cainer]

yes id get it checked out!  i went through a simular thing- felt like muscle coming off the bone in arm- i could not  sit at pc- any- i couldnt use it -it hurt!  well did a c-scan and all -it was guess ms- the muscles-lessions -not getting the right signals?? i dont know but after about 6 weeks- was sooo much better. am fine now- but you never no,might have hurt yourself?

[CvilleMamaOf5]

@Pam-- It does hurt pretty bad. If I keep it in the same position it feels fine, but when I strain it at all, it hurts bad! It's mostly in my arm but for some reason hurts when I move my neck. I have a little pain in my neck but mostly discomfort. The pain is mostly under my arm and in my elbow.

@Cainer-- If I sit at the computer and type, it's fine, but when I take my fingers off of the keyboard, it hurts. Or if I look at the keyboard while I'm typing it hurts.

Needless to say it's causing other pains (like headache!) and my doctor said there was nothing to worry about or be seen for. They don't feel that I need pain meds for my migraines. They don't understand that I've had migraines since I can remember, at least since I was 4 or 5. So a lot of pain meds don't work for me anymore. The crap they gave me is like candy that makes my head feel cloudy.

I took one last night and my husband kept waking me up because I was talking crazy about pancakes and random crap like that. But I didn't think I was asleep. I felt totally awake but I also felt awkward. It's hard to explain. But I still had the pains in my head and arm.

But my doctor wants me to continue taking this??? Also, she didn't tell me I cannot nurse my baby and take it at the same time. I just happened to look it up when I got it and (as I was nursing my baby) saw that it can be very harmful to my baby!!! So, as you may assume, I had to quit nursing him. I know I won't be able to once I start the copaxone too so I guess I found it to be a good opportunity to stop.

Another bad thing is, this is the ONLY neurologist in my city and surrounding cities! What a monopoly they have here. Where else do I turn? Can my PCP help me do you think?

[drsdonthelp]

My PCP was the one that ordered the MRI of my cervical spine. She was the one that called me with my results and told me that I had a tear in the tendon, two bulging discs on c5/6 and impingement on my nerve. She then sent me to an orthopedic doc. for further workup. Luckily it healed up with out needing surgery. This was with me for about 5 to 6 weeks.
The pain was absolutely unbearable when lying down or leaning my head up against anything. I couldn't lift my arm up past a certain degree and it didn't hurt as much during the day. Mostly at night. I did not sleep at all! I couldn't get comfortable.
If anything, call your PCP. You shouldn't have to suffer.
I hope this eases up for you, good luck,
Pam

[supermum_ms]

I've had arm issues since my mid 20's never ever had an explanation, not when it started and still not now. When it first happened i'd spot cleaned a stain off the rug, seriously something a mum with a toddler has done a million times before, but something was very different. The pain was totally unexpected and off the chart to anything i'd ever experienced before. It was in the upper arm part, i suspect it was and is my first muscle issue though i've accumulated many more since.

I use to say i've got the 'probablies' again, dr would say its probably xxx and run what ever test, it wouldn't turn out to be that but the dr would still say its probably xxx just not showing up on the test. lol

I was dx with idiopathic intercostal muscle spasms in half my ribcage back in 08, a year or so before i'd torn the muscle off the bone in the lower part of my arm, it all adds up to the same repeating remitting problem. My muscles dont like me! lol

Cheers...........JJ

[CvilleMamaOf5]

I've yet to call my PCP about it. But the nurse came out today to show me how to use my shot. I told her about it and she says she will see what she can find out and give me a call back if I haven't heard anything from my doctor first. I failed to mention it to my PCP when I was there yesterday. I was there for my daughter's physical and that got a bit hectic so it slipped my mind. But I kicked myself once I got home and remembered the pain is still there.

It's not quite as bad as it was when it started. It's mostly in my under arm. It feels to me like it's a muscle. But I've gotten a similar pain in my right, upper leg and hip...what the heck?! But, it's not severe enough for my doctor to want to see me. I will be at my PCP again Monday for my baby's 1 year checkup so hopefully I can remember to say something then. They're really bad about calling me back but are great in person. So, I'll write a note for myself to mention it monday! My memory slips from me so easily anymore...

Thanks guys for your insight. It helps me a ton!

Marianne

[jensequitur]

You might see if stretching the muscle helps, or if somebody will massage it for you.  It does sound like spasticity.

[jen673]

Marianne,

Your doc. doesn't sound like she's there for you - "don't call unless you have vision problems".  Like that is the only symptom worthy of her care?  Is there any way to find a MS neurologist to treat you?  I drive an hour away for mine.  I live in a small town too.  You deserve a doc you are comfortable with and encourages you to call for whatever is bothering you!  

I hope that this goes away soon for you.  

Jeny

[CvilleMamaOf5]

The neurologist I go to is the "best" MS neurologist in my town. I live in a small city where there are no neurologists. I go to the nearest city that has one...and he's the only one! Well, there are a few in his practice. I've only actually seen him once. I see his physician assistant or his nurse when I go. He's been out of town on all my appointments to see him.

You would think, in a city like Tallahassee, the capitol of my state, there would be more! It's a good size city. I moved here from Pensacola, which is less of a business city, and there are MANY to choose from. I was going back and forth to see my neurologist there but that became a bit much. It's a 3 hour drive with my whole family. Although, he was more thorough and even a heck of a lot nicer. I still am able to go see him if I'm in town. He updates himself through my doctor as well. I wouldn't even have to make an appointment to see him if I felt like I needed to. I would have to sit in the waiting room for a while but I would see him!

I told my PCP the problems I was having. She seems a bit frustrated that my specialist was not taking a special interest. Although she's not doing anything either. She was also surprised that they put me on medication that I can't take while nursing my baby without telling me the side effects it can have on my baby. So I had to quit nursing altogether. She was a little upset about that...but still does nothing...But what is there that she can really do? Nothing I'm sure. I guess I just rely on myself to do what I feel necessary.

[Khiba]

Could be that a trip to the chiropractor might be just the thing. Often times, the neck gets out of alignment and causes arm and hand issues as well as issues with rib cage and a host of other pains.

I think my chiropractor has helped with MS hug and numb hands more than any medications ever did or any neurologist ever could. Just an alternative to think about.... and fine a good one. Ask around, see who does muscle work like ART (Active Release Technique) as there are good chiros and bad ones just like Neuros and other doctors.

Jessica

[CvilleMamaOf5]

Last time I went to the chiro he cracked my neck without warning me and it freaked me out! It scares me. What kind of things do you have your chiro do when you go with aches like that?

[jen673]

When I had this same arm pain, I went to my chiro.  They wrap it in a cold pack and run electrodes to stimulate my arm while I lay there and listen to relaxing music.  I know there is a name for this treatment, but can't remember what it is.  It was very relaxing and made it feel better.  I went several times a week for a couple of weeks.  I didn't know I had MS at the time either and just thought I did something to it.  I now know why!  

You might want to give it a try.  
Jeny

[SarahL2491]

Tallahassee has several neurologist........Whitney, Ortez, among others
and there is Shands if your doc refers you to them; they have an MS specialist...Jax or Gainesville

[CvilleMamaOf5]

@ Jeny--I may try to find time to go to a chiropractor. I'll have to do my research and find a good one here that isn't too expensive. My husband loves to go for his back since he has over developed lower back muscles. Our chiropractor where we used to live would have to put a heating pad and the electrodes on his back to relax his muscles before he could do anything with him. He loved it. I went the one time and he kind of massaged my shoulders then all of a sudden cracked my neck with no warning. It freaked me out and I never went back. I thought he broke my neck! haha. (Of course he didn't)

These little aches and pains come and go and ibuprofen doesn't work. Some keep me from doing the daily things I need to do like laundry, dishes, cleaning my house. (And with 5 kids you should see what happens when I take a day off!)

@ SarahL--I see Dr. Ortiz. There are several neurologists in his office and his office staff altogether is pretty bad. I don't think my doctor would ever refer me to shands and I'm not sure if I would even need to go that far. Dr. Ortiz quit seeing a friend of mine that had a brain tumor that needed to be removed because she got upset. She had to jump through many hoops to be able to get into shands since she was not able to get a referral.

Jacksonville and Gainsville are way too far of a drive for me. I was going back and forth to Pensacola but that's a 3 hour drive in itself. But I had a great neurologist there.

[Khiba]

When I go to the chiropractor, he works my feet, my lower legs, doing muscle work, stretching, and works the stiffness out. MS has caused me to get terrible spasms in my legs and feet. After he works on my muscles, he does do an adjustment, cracking as you call it. LOL Lower back, Neck and often times adjusts my hands and feet, realigning the bones. It makes a major difference in my ability to walk comfortably, my pain levels and general well being.

I think I would have been diagnosed with MS about 20 years ago had it not been for my chiropractor keeping in tip top shape.

The cracking won't kill you, it is just a release of pressure in the vertebrae area. It sounds bad, but usually feels much better later. I think keeping the spine aligned is a good thing. With MS we need all the help we can get.
Jessica

[twopack]

I'm feeling for you as I read your descriptions of how tough life has been these first few weeks since diagnosis.  It seems like this neuro and his staff center on diagnosis but lose interest soon after that milestone is reached.  

Living well with MS requires long term access to health care professionals who stay informed about new ideas and care about you enough to individualize your care.  A short travel distance is going to have a hard time compensating for services you miss out on if you aren't able to connect with this neuro group.  Many members travel for infrequent but complete neuro visits with an MS Specialist and use a local PCP, neuro or email connection for day-to-day questions.

As for your pain issues, anything we can come up with is pure guess.  I'm wondering if the cramping pain in your abdomen could be related to a bowel issue but certainly can't be sure.  I do know there are many possibilities regardless of your diagnostic status.

You need to find a doctor who is willing to examine you and ask questions to determine the cause of EACH complaint you have and order treatment that can help.  Any drug that gives you a high but little to no pain relief needs to be removed from the house.  It is NOT doing the job it was prescribed to do but has great potential to harm you and/or your children.  (I trust you are not letting them hear you call it candy.)

Narcotics work quite well to relieve muscle, bone and organ pain.  They are often ineffective against migraines and nerve pain.  Sometimes people will be heavily sedated so they can sleep through migraine pain that can't be relieved.  That's a poor option when you have children to care for and frequent headaches.  I'd look for someone who can help you find the triggers for your migraine pain and work toward prevention.

The highest dose of gabapentin won't help your arm if this pain is from spasticity instead of paresthesias.  A physical therapist familiar with MS might be better at evaluating the problem and suggesting a combo of drugs and physical treatments that will help now and keep you moving over time.

It always concerns me when doctors can't think of any solutions beyond their prescription pad.  You are very young and a lot of life and responsibilities lie ahead.  I certainly don't suggest you resign yourself to a painful existence.  Sometimes, drugs are the only thing that can keep us functioning and we are forced to take the time and effort to determine the smallest effective dose.  Too often, we do have to decide how much pain we are willing to tolerate so we can remain active life participants.  

I encourage you to find the person who can help you understand the changed body you are living in now-a-days Mama.  I don't envy this journey that has started for you at a time overflowing with important demands.  I am sure any time you can devote to understanding your personal MS story will pay big dividends.

I hope something here helps and relief comes to you soon.
Mary