BS: Why does my arm hurt?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 10:27 AM

I'm glad to hear that you're getting somewhere, Liz. I hope this is the cure.

Did you ever look into alternatives to using the mouse all day?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM

It's confirmed as frozen shoulder by the phsyioterrorist.

He's given me some excercises and a strange piece of rubber, and I'm waiting for the steroid injection appointment to come through (should be about 2-3 weeks - it's holiday time).

The orthopaedics department is now 'Locomotor Services' because no-one can spell orthopaedics any more.

Mind you, he looked positively relieved when I knew what sort of joint the shoulder was, and his amazement that I knew what the rotator cuff did was beyond belief!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 08:43 PM

"There is the big but of course"

Stop it! You're killing me...

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 08:37 PM

"It's now no longer acceptable to have your thighs parallel to the desk and your hips at 90degrees"

Sorry, just couldn't read any more.... :-P

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 08:20 AM

Shame, I'm only going to Towersey!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 10:53 PM

Liz
My normal fee is £45 for first treatment, then £30 for subsequent treatments. Session time is 45 minutes. I generally recon to get patients fixed in three treatments.
However, at festivals I work on "mates rates" and all I ask is a few pints of sex. Sorry, that should be 6X.
I'm booked for Sidmouth; White Horse FF, Grove; the Wail; possibly Banbury. Any chance of a meet?
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 02:32 PM

There is the big but of course - It may not work:-( But a GOOD chiropracter should be able to tell that after the first session. I suppose it is just putting your faith in one that is the first step!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 02:30 PM

It was £60 for the first session at the chiros and £30 for each subsequent one. Elaine went for about 3 weeks after the first one and goes now once every 6 months or so.

What price health? Re-mortgage. Sell your soul. Send limpit out sweeping chimneys. Anything - Just get your health back. It's worth every penny.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 11:59 AM

Bonecruncher - I can see your point but unfortunately, I am at the mercy of the Filthy Lucre, or lack of it.

If I want to have my arm fixed, I can't afford to go to Denmark and Towersey or keep Limpit in the manner to which she has become accustomed.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 11:55 AM

Mrs P suffered with horrendous back pain for years till she went to see the local chiropracter. It hasn't gone altoghether but the difference is amazing.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 11:05 PM

I second that, Bonecruncher! My GP is an osteopath and does wonderful manipulations, etc.!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 10:34 PM

Hi Liz
I am most surprised that a sensible girl like you should still be suffering pain in the wrist/arm and that you are relying solely on your GP and NHS resources.
Why have you not consulted a local expert on musculo-skeletal problems - an osteopath or a chiropractor?
We are fully trained in the musculo-skeletal system, to a far greater extent than medical doctors. At the same time we are well-versed in other diseases, so a full osteopathic consultation should cover questions on the whole body, lifestyle, diet, hobbies, sports, work and any previous medical history, particularly of parents.
A few surgeries employ osteopaths within their practice but any GP should be able to give you the name of an osteopath, if asked.
Otherwise, look in your Yellow Pages and phone somebody local.
Remember, your GP does not have exclusive right to your treatment.

Colyn.
(A Registered Osteopath)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 08:54 PM

bummer - sounds like me, several competing pains & we dunno what the exact problem is.

I'm heavily right handed but have learnt over the past 12 years since I was first diagnosed with RSI to use mousie in my left. RSI comes & goes, as do other pains, but some are permanent. Sometimes painkillers & exercise help, sometimes not. Sometimes taking half a Valium at night when I have very bad pain relaxes my muscles, sometimes not (ps. I only took 16 half tablets over 3 years before the packet passed it's Use By date & I had 42 tablets left, so I didn't need them regularly.)

I have RSI back in my right arm (again) on top of the permanent pain in my left elbow (gotta support it on the table when I'm typing/reading/sewing/writing etc or it aches) + the sore thumbs & fingers (arthritis??) + sore shoulders (cause?) + permanently sore back (easy, I was born with that!) + knees (born with that problem, too) & feet (another life-long symptom)

ah, well, it could be worse, I could be dead!

sandra (aka Pollyanna)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 05:35 PM

Well, I got referred to the X-ray department, they took X-rays which, despite what Rapaire said above, DID hurt... a lot. It seemed to be a case of 'put your arm in the most painful position and hold it there for 5 minutes while we all scurry behind this lead-lined screen and try and get it in focus...

It seems there is nothing wrong with the bone structure - no spurs, no dislocation, no calciforous deposits (so no arthritis!) and no fractures.

The next step is a referral to the ortheopedics and an MRI scan to check for 'frozen shoulder'. So here we go again.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 May 07 - 06:46 AM

Nigel - the click mouse button thing can be done with a return or enter, but hey, that's on the right hand side too and I'm trying to spread the load!

It's using the 'enter' key on the keypad that's causing the trouble in my little and ring fingers. My thumb is getting overused on the zero key and my index and middle fingers do the rest of the numbers. I use my left hand for the mouse and tab buttons. When I type text, I spread the load over both hands and use my left thumb for the space bar. I trained as a typist so I'm not chicken pecking across the board. The only overused digit there is my right ring finger for the backspace. I never did get over the habit of correcting as I go - it's how you tell a trained typist from a word processor operator. Typists correct as they go, WPOs rely on autotext and correct at the end to prompts.

The longer I have this pain in my arm, the more I'm convinced it has nothing to do with the RSI I'm experiencing. I get the RSI after a few days at work, entering numbers. The pain in my arm is daily, regardless of task or duty. A week off work and no number punching has still resulted in a painful arm.

Going to see the doc again next week and ask him to refer me to an ortheopedic doctor.

Thanks again.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,DonD
Date: 26 May 07 - 10:32 PM

This exchange of well-intentioned folk remediew and anecdotal suggestions reminds me of a joke from my childhood, seventy-plus years ago,

Two doctors meet on the street.

MD1: Hi, How are you?
MD2: Not so well -- I have this strange pain in my arm.
MD1: I've got something like that too. What are you doing for it?
MD2: Well, my housekeeper said to put a cold compress on it.
MD1: That's strange; my housekeeper said a hot compress.

Nothing changes! Good luck, Liz.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 May 07 - 06:39 PM

OK, now, why does MY elbow hurt? The bones that you can feel on the inside and outside of the joint hurt, the joint itsself hurts down inside, and I can't lift anything much. I can carry weight with my arm straight down, but not lift it up.

Between the left elbow doing this and the carpal tunnel in the right wrist...factor in Mr's lack of a right arm, and we're a mess!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 May 07 - 05:12 PM

Liz: may or may not help
Moll - Trouble is, it takes two hands and usually my left hand is engaged with the mouse at work, it being the nature of the way our computer programmes accept information (type in number, click mouse box, type in another number, click mouse box... get the idea? Designed for right-handed people). I'd use the arrow keys to move my mouse but guess what... they're on the right hand side of the keyboard! It can't be my working practices, I haven't done any for weeks! (Joke!)
Have you tried using the other keyboard shortcuts that avoid the use of the mouse?
The 'Tab' key will usually move you from your input boxes to your tick boxes without stopping typing. Most programmes will use standardised shortcuts which are keyboard rather than mouse originated. (to select all the information on a page "Ctrl+A" to copy it "Ctrl+C" to paste it "Ctrl+V") similarly most 'drop-down' menus will allow shortcuts by using "Ctrl" with a named key.
The mouse is a wonderful tool when working properly (well cleaned and on a good surface) but can be a pain in the butt (or arm/hand)
Modern programming rarely needs it, and once you know the shortcuts it is often quicker to use them than to transfer hand from keyboard to mouse!

Hope this helps.
CHEERS
Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 May 07 - 11:11 AM

Now here's a strange thing...

My arm had been getting better - certainly it doesn't pain me so often now, despite me being at work, lifting files, pushing trolleys, typing and stuff.... but when it does hurt, the pain is no longer just in my upper arm, but travels right down to my wrist.

The anti inflammatories are not doing anything for it, I've taken some ibuprofen but the pain is sporadic I'm not really sure if they are helping or if it's wearing off before they kick in. The topical gel has the same problem.. (found some in the cupboard this afternoon) it doesn't act fast enough and by the time it hurts again, has worn off.

Ho hum....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 25 May 07 - 10:46 AM

Liz said:

>>...I've been working in the garden today - using power tools, lifting timber and iron frames, big pots of dirt... no problems at all. Whilst trying to undress, reaching behind to undo bra straps as I always do, it hurts. It's my arm that hurts, not the shoulder or elbow joints, which is what makes me think it's muscular.<<<

I've a simple solution for that - get a front closing bra! I have some problems with joint pain and I switched over to a posture bra that closes in the front and it made a huge difference. it helps you sit up straighter, is easier to get on and off and makes the girls look perkier! Only drawback is they usally come with at least 4 hooks - not sexy.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 May 07 - 12:27 PM

I'm beginning to realise that last comment is SOO true Cruz!!!

It's still hurting... but only occasionally and only when doing the silliest of things like reaching for toilet paper.... bloody right handed cubicles.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,Cruz
Date: 21 May 07 - 07:27 PM

LTS,

I think what emily s discussed, frozen shoulder, sums up the pain I now have in my left shoulder. I am usually very active, usually run and/or walk for at least 6 miles a day and I am in very good physical shape. I do the stretching required before and after my exercise.

However, recently I have had a lot of typing to do and my left shoulder started hurting about 1.5 months ago. I think my body just does not like inactivity. I had the same thing happen to my right shoulder about 2 years ago when I had to sit a lot and type. The pain in both shoulders was the same and very intense. Thorough exercise, my right shoulder healed quickly and now my left shoulder is getting better, although it is taking longer. I still cannot get my billfold out of my left rear pocket and I have difficulty getting a shirt on and off.

The moral: If you are very active do not stop, especially if you are past 55 years old.

Good luck. Getting older is not all it is cracked up to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,Gulliver
Date: 21 May 07 - 06:50 PM

Suffered bad pain in right arm from shoulder to hand a few times over the past few years, usually after prolonged swimming (breaststroke) in the sea. Thought it was the result of old sports injuries, but the doc said it was probably arthritis in the neck. Tried many things, including frequent visits to physiotherapist, but nothing helped much, and exercise made it worse. On each occasion it faded away after 2-3 months.

A friend told me last week that swimming breaststroke can be bad for you. I'm not going sea-swimming this year!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: mouldy
Date: 21 May 07 - 02:20 PM

The nurse I know said that for tendonitis, (if indeed it is that), an ice pack a couple of times a day is supposed to be helpful. I haven't tried it yet!

I'll see how it copes with fetching Ruth back from Glasgow in 2 days' time - complete with the contents of her room!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 May 07 - 10:57 AM

"there are many who HATE the idea of any form of regular physical whatnot."

It isn't that I hate it, it is that life is so interesting and exercise is so boring.

Yesterday my husband wanted to walk to the grocery store. "Why?" I asked. "When we get there, they'll be playing ugly music."

I talked him into driving to a park, where we walked around. Believe it or not, there was a pair of wood ducks on the lagoon. Wood ducks are rare and usually shy. To see them among the Canadas, mallards, grackels and sparrows was a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, something like that probably occurs about once in 500 walks around the lagoon.

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=wood+duck+image&hl=en&num=10&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images


--------
As for LTS' shoulder, I believe this thread demonstrates that pain in the shoulder is a very complex matter, and expert help is indicated.

Best of luck, LTS.

PS That business of entering a number, then clicking with the mouse sounds uncomfortable and inefficient. Can you talk to a customer service rep for the maker of the software and see if there is some other way?

I know various ways to avoid using the mouse (Alt-f-o to open a file, for example.) These alternatives not well known, but they should be.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: hilda fish
Date: 21 May 07 - 03:29 AM

I swear by weights, stretching (pilates) and walking or running if possible. I have what appears to be muscular pain (in upper muscle in my right arm) if I let up on my programme for any length of time. Currently haven't been able to do it for a coupla weeks due to travelling and what do you know? Pain. Then, of course, there are many who HATE the idea of any form of regular physical whatnot. What can I say? Fitness works for me - builds up strength and stamina, staves off aches and pains, keeps the brain working, makes me feel good (although sometimes have to force myself) but use it or lose it as you get older, or so they say. Works for me so only suggesting........ Personally I think this thread should be kept open for a long time - love reading all the possibilities and approaches. All very kind and very helpful.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 May 07 - 01:27 AM

Andrea, outer edge of the arm, esp. from the elbow down and including the pinkie and outer edge of the ring finger may indicate an upset ulnar nerve. I had that, went through all kinds of tests at an occupational medicine center. They told me my ulnar nerves, in both arms, were very close to the surface and to wear protective elbow pads. They also told me I must've been bumping my elbow a lot to aggravate the nerve. I was certain I wasn't, but after I started wearing the pads and watching out, I found I was bumping them a lot, on the edge of the car door while driving, going through doorways in a hurry, etc. The pads really helped; most of the pain went away.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 May 07 - 11:30 PM

Thanks chaps - you seem to confirm my initial diagnosis that it was the addition of the mattress pad that has caused this muscle pain.

Apart from the odd stupid thing like trying to throw right handed, it's pretty much subsided into a 'don't put your arm there' sort of thing which is getting better all the time.

My arm has no knots or bumps in the muscle but there is a definate 'hot spot' which got treated on Saturday by a method that 98% of doctors would not understand but has worked wonderfully!

The mattress pad has been relagated to another part of the house.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Mickey191
Date: 20 May 07 - 11:14 PM

Have you tried a heating pad or hot water bottle? May give temporary relief.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST, mouldy at her friend's house
Date: 20 May 07 - 06:36 AM

Whay a coincidence! My left arm's going through just that, and playing the melodeon is giving me hell. (Makes a change from me giving everyone hell on the melodeon...)
One of our side is a nurse and has suggested tendonitis. I don't know. There's lumps and bumps in the upper arm muscle, and the pain seems to centre about halfway up, in the curve of it. Then when I drive, or play my box, it goes into the muscle on the outer edge of the elbow, and then shoot down the outer edge of my forearm. I slather diclofenac on my arm before I play, and wear an elbow support. It hasn't been helped by my buying a bigger car which means I have to reach further for the gear stick.

I really must go to the doctor!

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 May 07 - 06:21 AM

Many years ago, perhaps even when I was as young as you, I had a period of pain that sounds suspiciously like what you describe. I eventually decided that it was due to a very slight change to my sleep habits, that allowed the shoulder on the side that was slept on to "slip out" a bit more than usual, and very slightly compromise the blood flow to the muscles involved. After a period of restricted flow, the muscles registered "pain" for several hours after, eventually become more or less constant.

In my case, I found that just "sleeping on the other side" simply produced the same pain in the other arm. The problem was that I was not experiencing the usual "sleep phase" changes that prompted occasional shifting of position, so that a relatively minor, and basically "normal," interference with the circulation persisted for unusually long uninterupted periods.

The condition may have been aggravated by a fairly minor weight change - with more of a different distribution of the lumps and bumps than a change in number or amount.

As soon as the divorce was final, When certain life/emotional "disturbances" were resolved my sleep patterns returned to normal, more usual minor tossing and turning resumed, and the pain went away and has not returned. (Although at my age there are always a few others.)

Normal muscle tone usually prevents significant displacement of joints and/or sustained compression of significant circulation paths. A sleep disturbance that causes you to remain "inert" in a fixed position for sustained periods can overcome the natural relieving movements, and in my case produced pain very similar to your description.

A deliberate change in sleeping position, and/or a shift in bedtime and/or wakeup time, or almost anything that might change the patterns of your sleeping might be of help. In my case, I suspect that a decrease in REM sleep frequency or duration probably occured, but that analysis can get extremely complex and is subject to vague and uncertain interpretations. Being completely and positively relaxed when going to bed might help - although there are specialists in the field who seem mostly to just make up theories in the absence of really understanding it all, and I don't have the theories to do any better.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 07 - 06:59 PM

Er, Morty... there was that occasion when you told me Jack was housetrained... although that was more omission, you didn't tell me which house he'd been trained to go it.

Thanks everyone, I will be getting another docs' opinions just as soon as I can find one!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Morticia
Date: 19 May 07 - 06:30 PM

Liz, my arm hurt rather than my shoulder too...because the ligaments were catching on the bone spur. Eventually, as it went undiagnosed for so long, the bone started sawing though the ligaments, got quite lots painful then.

It only hurt in some positions, classically trying to do up or undo a bra strap and as time went by, other postitions like changing gear in the car or putting my arm over my head, otherwise business as normal. Really... needs checking out, honest. Have I ever lied to you?

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 May 07 - 11:07 AM

The myofascial has been described to me as like the "skin" on the inside of an eggshell. Here's a description of it:

The fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web from head to foot without interruption. The fascia surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and organ of the body, all the way down to the cellular level. Therefore, malfunction of the fascial system due to trauma, posture, or inflammation can create a binding down of the fascia, resulting in abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, bones or organs.

From this website: click here.

Could be a good massage therapist could help.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: GUEST,emily s
Date: 19 May 07 - 08:33 AM

Liz,
You might have something called frozen shoulder. This is a condition, not an injury or a disease, that tends to settle on middle-aged women. There is no known cause, doctors appear to be baffled and of varied opinion on treatment. The good news is that it eventually heals itself. I suffered from frozen shoulder a few years ago. In November of 2003, I had what you are describing. Pain in my right arm about 3 inches below the shoulder. Crossing my arm across my chest caused discomfort, removing a jog bra overhead was worse. This state continued for a few months and I just thought I'd pulled a muscle or something. In Jan of 2004 I was still able to mop the kitchen floor (hmmm, don't remember doing that since!) and in mid Feb. I stumbled and threw my arms out to catch myself and burst into tears shrieking with pain. Finally went to a doc who was useless. Tried accupuncture and the guy kept telling me to just relax. I'm not dissing accupuncture, but my "condition" wasn't going to get resolved with it. Finally went to another doc who confirmed frozen shoulder. The soft tissue within the joint develops scar tissue or adhesions. A physical therapist gave me the analogy of slick magazine papers that get wet and then can't slide any more. The scar tissue is too strong to try to break or "work through." Eventually, the adhesions are re-absorbed and the condition fades. I know this sounds weird. It happens in 3 stages. The 1st is the freezing up, and this is very painful. You could be in the early stages of this. Amazingly, the "frozen" stage isn't painful, you just can't use your shoulder. The recovery stage also isn't painful. When I was at my worst, I could raise my arm only about chest high and that hurt. I gave up wearing anything but the loosest tops that could be pulled overhead easily by my left arm. No side zip pants because I couldn't reach over. Couldn't drive my manual shift car, etc, etc. Sleeping was very difficult and the pain was constant. At my wits end, I found a Bowan technique woman and also went to a neuro-muscular massuese. Shortly after trying both of these, I traveled to France (from Houston) and while there, started entering the frozen stage so the pain was diminishing. I'm not sure if any or all of that helped. That was in May. By Sept of 2004, I was into the recovery stage. My doc did not recommend physical therapy but gave me 3 simple exercises I could do on my own. They all hurt and never seemed to help. A phys. therapist told me that he's known people who've recovered faster NOT doing therapy than those that did. It seems highly individual with no correlation to current physical condition. I've always been extremely flexible in my shoulders and had not injured myself. Now, I still have a small bit of restriction that I really don't even notice.

The Mayo Clinic website has a pretty good description of frozen shoulder. I had many people say, "Oh yeah, I had that and just worked through it." Mostly men.   Sorry this is so long. Hope this isn't what you have although, it is probably better than rotator cuff injury and I didn't need surgery. I really had about 4 miserable months and fortunately, I'm a singer not a fiddler, etc.
Best of luck.
Emily

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 07 - 04:41 AM

Sorry, Manitas is going to Chippers but I'm not, I'm at home with a bottle of Rose wine and a new table to christen.

Whilst you're in Sidmouth, I shall be in Denmark... but thanks for the thought.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 May 07 - 10:33 PM

Damn, that's as close to a house call as one can get these days! Goodonya, Colyn!

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 18 May 07 - 10:13 PM

Hi Liz
Are you going to Chippenham FF next weekend?
I am the osteopath for the Festival and would be pleased to have a look and see if I can help.
If you are stewarding there is no charge, otherwise a pint or six is the preferred currency.
If you're not at Chippenham then I might see you at Sidmouth, where I will be running my Clinic on the camp site.
If you wish to PM me I will try to advise you personally.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 May 07 - 08:38 PM

I had something similar about 15 years ago. After a few months I figured out that the cause was a sensitivity to tannins and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are the orange-to-purple pigments you find in the skins of fruit and vegetables (not beetroot, that's different, and not carotenoids as in carrots, oranges or tomato skins). Tannins (most commonly consumed in tea) are polymerized anthocyanins. It doesn't take very much red wine, tea or rowan jelly to set it off (also arthritis-like pains in my hips). It's not an allergic reaction, it takes a fair bit to set it off and none of the symptoms are obviously immunological.

Gotu kola seems to reduce the sensitivity - probably by thyroid stimulation, the enzymes that handle anthocyanins are thyroid-dependent.

Long shot that you've got the same, but cut back on tannins and anthocyanins for about two days and you'll know if it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 May 07 - 05:55 PM

Thanks everyone.

I've been working in the garden today - using power tools, lifting timber and iron frames, big pots of dirt... no problems at all. Whilst trying to undress, reaching behind to undo bra straps as I always do, it hurts. It's my arm that hurts, not the shoulder or elbow joints, which is what makes me think it's muscular.

Ho hum... I'll keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks again.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Bert
Date: 18 May 07 - 05:34 PM

Try Dragon

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: grumpy al
Date: 18 May 07 - 03:59 PM

Hi Liz,
your RSI needn't be it could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as mine is, if you see what i mean. CTS is a pain in the arm (why do you think I'm called grumpy?) so to speak and can also cause odd pains to crop up elseware. I have found I can keep the symptoms under control by being careful with what I eat, my main cause of problems is dairy food. Hope this may be of some help
Grumpy

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 May 07 - 03:05 PM

Herself, the Occupational Therapist, says she has absolutely no professional advice to offer. However, she also says that her shoulder pain (which is rotator-cuff related, has greatly improved after she replaced her normal pillow with a small "microbean-bag" pillow. They are called Moshi pillows over here and she says we'll send you one if they can't be had over there.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 18 May 07 - 02:42 PM

I have had amazing results from acupuncture, for chronic pain the the right shoulder. I once considered such treatment suspiciously like witchcraft, but it can really work ~ depending, I suppose, on the skill of the practitioner.

Comparisons to "witchcraft" shouldn't bother you, anyway, right? :^)

FWIW (For what it's worth) / YMMV (our milage may vary) / etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Morticia
Date: 18 May 07 - 02:35 PM

This sounds a lot like a shoulder compression such as Amos suggested. It is why I was operated on earlier this year, (my spur of bone I mean,not yours). Mine was only diagnosed after two years of cortisone shots and all sorts of other malarky tried by doctors, by a physiotherapist and confirmed by x-rays. One small op and as good as new now.

Get thee back to thy physician and demand a physio referral toot sweet.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 May 07 - 11:56 AM

Don't know if it would help, Liz, but I was just in the local Aldi store. One of the specials this week is a set of laptop computer accessories for about £15. All of them are USB connections, and one of the items is a standard layout numeric keyboard as a free standing pad.
If your work set-up would allow it, it would mean that you could position the numbers to suit whichever hand you needed to use.
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Becca72
Date: 18 May 07 - 11:16 AM

I've had similar pain in my right arm/shoulder for a year or more. I type for a living, too. I noticed it most when I tried to push a row of backward in the closet. But I've just ignored it and lived with it (it comes and goes) so I have no real advise to offer. :-) I just blow it off as repetitive stress disorder.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 18 May 07 - 11:06 AM

Liz, I has similar pain in my right arm for about 6 months and my doc was baffled. He agreed it was most likely muscualr and he advised me to get one of those strtchy exercise bands and to begin doing gental ballet type stretching. I found an excerise program for partially disabled folks that you could do in a chair I think I was called Sit and be Fit. The nurse who invented the regime appears on a local cable channel every morning and so I got to do her program for free. it really helped.

OK - found her website:
SIT AND BE FIT program

Don't be put off by the site saying it's for Seniors. My Doc recommended it because she shows 2 ways to do every exercise and one way is while seated in a chair. I still turn on her show a few times a week and follow along.

The other thing he did for me was to show my husband an accupressure point to push when the pain comes back. It helps to a degree but it does hurt worse at first.

Then, on my own, I put to use one of those hand and foot wax bath things you get as presents at christmas. If you take a paintbrush, heat up the medical grade parrafin and have someone paint the warm wax wherever it hurts and also along your shoulder, you might get some relief. The hot wax feels good and keeps the warmth on the painful area longer. I guess the warmth helps the muscle relax? When the wax hardens, just peel it off and continue applying until you get some relief.

There is another product that's great for keeping warmth on sore body parts but it's rather expensive. it's a spa product called Jelly Bath:
Jelly Bath
Click on products, then on Tub Soaks

It's stuff you add to a warm bath that turns it into a fluffy jell which retains heat for much longer than regular water. You sink into the warm jelled fluffy stuff and relax.   To get your shoulder soaked, you'd probably have to use two packets of the tub size which is waaaay expensive. I can justify buying the foot soak verisons for my feet but the tub soaks, I only do once in a while due to cost.

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 18 May 07 - 10:29 AM

After suffering extreme pain for 3 years 24/7 in my right shoulder and ubable to lift my arm shoulder high or get my arm behind my back I finally had a complete shoulder implant and the pain was gone when I woke up after the operation and 6 months later I have complete use of my right arm no pain and I can again smile something I was unable to do 6 months ago.I strongly suggest you contact an orthopedic surgeon for a complete examination (Just a suggestion)

Subject: RE: BS: Why does my arm hurt?
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 May 07 - 09:51 AM

Getting the X-rays, MRIs, etc. is a damned good idea. Go and do it. They don't hurt at all, although the MRI will make you attract bits of old iron for a few hours afterwards.