Arms Going Numb. Heavy. Like Paralysis

[TinaPatton]

This has been happening to me for several months.  It doesn't matter if I am up and active or sitting down doing nothing.  It starts at my shoulders and goes all the way down both of my arms.  They are numb. No pain or tingling but I cannot use them or move them until this passes. Usually 1 to 2 minutes.  Any Ideas?

[jemma116]

There are a number of things that could be the underlying cause, one of which could be impingement of nerves in the neck bones.
You do not say if this happens to both your arms at the same time or if this happens intermittently or is constant, your age and what type of work you do.  
Wrap a scarf around your neck to keep warm and stay away from draughts.  Do not do any heavy lifting, pulling or pushing until your doctor determines what is causing your problem.  You may find applying a heat pack helpful and a massage with an analgesic cream or arnica oil.

You do need to book an appointment to see your doctor and sent for some imaging tests.  Sometimes shoulder and arm problems can be related to heart problems, so it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible to get the correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.

[caregiver222]

You need an in-person neurological examination as of yesterday. You need a differential diagnosis and an MRI. Clearly there is intermittant nerve compression. It is not possible to determine if this is the result of degenerative changes in your spine, spinal stenosisd, or even a growth that can be removed. The important thing is for a physician to decide whether this is a problem that will progress or something that can be treated and cured.