Sudden Weakness in arms

[Vasi]

In the last few months I have been getting a sudden weakness in both arms.  It comes on suddenly and lasts a maximum of 5 minutes.  When it happens I cannot lift anything.  I feel so weak that I have to sit or lie down until it passes.  This week it hit me twice.  Before these 2 incidents, the last time this happened was a month ago and before that was probably another month (2 times in a week).  The sensation is from the shoulders down to my hands.  Any ideas?

Thanks

[grammajamma]

I just had my 3rd or 4th episode in the past year.  I can tell it's coming.  Everything in my shoulders and arms goes weak.It affects my chest and my back and my head sometimes tingles.  I haven't said anything to my family because they will work hard to get me to have all of these tests.  I am reading what everyone says and I'm going to start monitoring.  I think it happens mainly when I am exhausted.  I also have degenerative disc disease so will bring this up to my chiropractor whom I see regularly.  The episode only lasts for about a minute, but I have to throw my body over a counter or table that's close.  It goes away but the general malaise in the muscles lasts for awhile longer.  I was happy to find this post.  THank you everyone for sharing.  I take no meds (I'm 71) except for Nexium from time to time and Ambien.  

[Likestrucks]

Sudden numbness, stiffness, pain, and a general inability to use both arms is typically due to Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and is often seen in older individuals.  I have the "events" at random times, and the events can occur days apart from each other.  The pain/numbness comes on very sudden and usually lasts for a few minutes, say ten to fifteen.  When it happens, I am unable to lift or use my arms and have to quickly find a place to sit, or stand still, and wait for the initial pain rush to pass.

[Robocop181]

Thanks for the information  I'll do some research.  I'm wondering if this is a Male only condition or if I'm reading into it too much.

[Rosalee44]

I have this same thing and it s exactly like you said - arms extremely weak and very hot and it goes into my chest. Today my cardiologist hooked me up to a heart monitor and I just hope it happens while I am wearing it. I had 4- way bypass last month, but it was happening before that. When it happens to me, I feel incapacitated and like I freeze up for a while. It is quite scary.

[Cam6J]

I recently experienced an attack very very similar to what you describe here. All tests come back perfectly healthy. I am wondering if you have ever been able to find answers to what you were experiencing? Thanks!

[goodnesskids]

I suffered from bilateral arm pain and weakness for years, and I have finally found the solution for me, and it is posture related. I heard about a women who studied people in small villages around the world who had no back pain, so I ordered her book and made some adjustments to my posture. I haven't had an episode since. "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back," by Esther Gokhale.

[Tess9]

If you take antidepressants such as amitriptyline 10 mg like I was for migraine I believe this was causing it. I stopped and have no symptoms since. Also sinus sprays such as otrivine seems to cause it too.

[Legalassistant]

I have had  4 episodes since July 1, 2016.   I started taking Cymbalta to help my nerve problems in my legs.   Cymbalta (antidepressant) made me feel funky and then these episodes began.  I'm also using a topical steroid called "Fluocinonide" to help with itching.  I read that both medications can cause "tiredness" and "weakness."   I only took 1 20mg Cymbalta and stopped taking it.   But I have been using the topical steroid (very little) and wondering whether these medications are to blame.

[MittensCat0305]

Hi! I had the same symptoms and after reading a lot of these posts, I went to my chiropractor to check my neck/cervical area.  After hearing my symptoms (sudden heaviness in both arms) she checked my neck and adjusted my C1 joint which affects that area and was really stuck.  She suggested that I take some B-complex as the symptoms could also be indicative of a vitamin B-deficiency, and to go see my doctor as well.  I don't know why I didn't think of that before--Vitamin B is responsible for so many functions including cell metabolism. Check out WebMD for symptoms of deficiency. Weakness in the limbs is one of them!  Vitamin B complex is easy to find at your grocery store or CVS. I hope you all find this helpful and feel better soon!