Arm and shoulder pain

[Jim Oaks]

It was probably late last year when I started feeling like I was losing strength in my right arm while bench pressing.

A few months ago I started getting this bad pain that runs from the top of my shoulder down across and along the right side of my arm. It's a dull and intense pain. I can't reach across my chest and touch the back of my left shoulder, or turn and reach behind me.

Today I was driving and reached behind the passenger seat to get something from the pouch, and the pain felt like it was draining everything out of me.

It clearly seems like it's not going away. Not sure if this is a rotator cuff issue or what. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this?

 

[Curious Hound]

Sorry. I haven't had that yet. If you're lucky, it's a pinched nerve and some ibuprofen and inactivity for a few days will help. Otherwise, my recommendation is to see a Dr.

 

[adsm08]

This is EXACTLY what I have been dealing with on and off since 2013. The less I move/use the arm the better it feels. The more I have to work overhead the worse is gets.

A few years ago I actually managed to get my doc to write for an MRI on the arm and shoulder, and all they found was arthritis.

I also have some nerve issues in that arm. My ulnar nerve is stretched and doesn't stay in place correctly, it can and does pop out of the channel it is supposed to lay in and gets on the outside of the bone. It doesn't get pinched, but if I set my elbow down on a hard surface its like touching the raw nerve.

 

[Ranger850]

Pinched nerve. Torn rotator would heal after a while or at least get better over time. Pinched nerve almost never goes away.

 

[19Walt93]

I have arthritis, too, and have been having problems with weakness in my arms and shoulder pain combined with restricted movement. I've had cortisone shots in my shoulders over the years that used to help. The last one was in January with a repeat scheduled for March that didn't happen. After doing an ultrasound exam, my Doctor found inflamed tendons. He's going to draw some blood Tuesday afternoon, spin it in a centrifuge and inject the results into my shoulders. It's a process that's been done on race horses for 30 years and people for 13 years that is supposed to cause the tendons to heal. He said it's 85% successful, the same as the surgery to correct it. The recovery from surgery is 4 months for each shoulder so I'm going to try the injections. Even though it will cost me $825 because insurance doesn't cover the procedure. If I can avoid recuperating for 8 months for $825 I call it a bargain. I didn't retire to sit in a chair. I also didn't tell the doctor that a technician whose work failed 15% of the time would be fired.

 

[golley]

Jim, do you remember when you first noticed the problem? Was it on awakening? I had a coworker with something similar going on about the time the plants closed. He said the physician diagnosed as probably the nerves in the neck.

 

[golley]

This is EXACTLY what I have been dealing with on and off since 2013. The less I move/use the arm the better it feels. The more I have to work overhead the worse is gets.

A few years ago I actually managed to get my doc to write for an MRI on the arm and shoulder, and all they found was arthritis.

I also have some nerve issues in that arm. My ulnar nerve is stretched and doesn't stay in place correctly, it can and does pop out of the channel it is supposed to lay in and gets on the outside of the bone. It doesn't get pinched, but if I set my elbow down on a hard surface its like touching the raw nerve.

yep, i feel your pain...literally. ulnar in both arms. right started year before last, left about end of may. there are exercises demo'd on utube, but so far little joy. ring fingers are numb and pinky fingers are worse. plus the outside of the hand and palm of course.

 

[Jim Oaks]

IDK. It started a while ago. I can't reach across my body and scratch the back of my left shoulder. Sometimes I have shoulder pain when I wake up.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Bursitis.

 

[FelicityG92]

Have you tried any creams that contain Ibuprofen or other analgesics ?

 

[JohnnyO]

It clearly seems like it's not going away. Not sure if this is a rotator cuff issue or what. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this?

I'd say rotator cuff or strained biceps tendon. I've had both. Rotator cuffs repaired on both shoulders and the pain didn't go down my arm. See a doctor. Biceps tendon just try not to use it and take a crap-ton of Motrin or Aleve.

 

[Curious Hound]

take a crap-ton of Motrin or Aleve.

This from the guy who makes his living processing dead people. "Pump your body full of drugs!"

 

[MikeG]

Saves money on embalming

 

[JohnnyO]

This from the guy who makes his living processing dead people. "Pump your body full of drugs!"

Saves money on embalming

Jim's shoulder hurts. He's not going to die.

 

[Jim Oaks]

It's apparently whiplash.