Left Arm Pain

[gordie1]

Hi there I have just woken up from a deep sleep with this terrible pain in my left arm from my wrist upwards it is ls slightly soree when I move it about the elbow but it seems to come and go I am not feeling sick or cold or clammy and it does not feel weak. I am wondering if I could have been lying on it the wrong way my neck is slightly sore I have taken 2 paracetemol I keep thinking of heart attack that means left arm pain but are there other reasons? Feeling anxious

[MarkRae]

Could be a trapped nerve. Is it also tingling?

[gordie1]

slightly and it is a bit sore to move it, south of the elbow it does not feel weak thank god

[gordie1]

I keep thinking if it was a heart attack I would have other symptoms

[Mamyalynne]

This could be a vicious circle - left arm pain makes you think of heart attack and anxiety is a common reason of left arm pain is anxiety. Have you any chest pain or history to suggest a heart problem?

[MarkRae]

You almost certainly would, yes. To be honest, it was a bit of a prompt anyway! Do you have any chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, coughing, wheezing etc...?

[Mamyalynne]

very badly worded answer from me sorry.

[gordie1]

No chest pain and it is sore to move it i have had numerous ecgs recently but still get totally convinced there is something wrong with my heart I have a bit of AF on betablockers and aspirin going to go on warfarin after colonosciopy another thing I have been on the computer a lot today And I always lie on my left side and my left arm certainly feels warmer than right if I had trapped a nerve would it be warm? mamyaylnne I do get bad anxiety why is left arm pain a sign of anxiety? Do you get it

[Mamyalynne]

Well sounds like you are under medical supervision and ECGs are not showing issues , so take comfort from that.

Yes - I have anxiety issues (not as bad as in the past) and yes - they can affect both my chest area and left arm, is as I said above a vicious circle, try to relax, and if in doubt call GP as soon as.

[gordie1]

My doctor thinks I am suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder abd severe health anxiety but thats the problem health anxiety is very real and it is difficult to believe you have it because you are convinced it is something awful

[gordie1]

I have just realised I have been on the computer a lot today and when I am on the computer I lean my left arm on top of a wooden chair for support and it is sore when I move it so I think I am going to be OK I think I have trapped a nerve thanks everyone when you live alone and in the night it is a lot worse

[Mamyalynne]

Oh it is indeed very real and it hurts, but the biggest step is learning to understand that that is what it is - anxiety - and however frightening it does not kill you. Learning your own coping mechanisms is the key.

[Mamyalynne]

Mike - just so that you know, if your reply disappears , I reported it as crass.

[Mamyalynne]

gordie, pain and fear in the dead of night are very scary, try to get some rest and take good care. ♥

[MarkRae]

> I reported it.

So did I.

[Mamyalynne]

Good, no excuse for it is there ?

[MarkRae]

Nope. People have been suspended for less...

[Sqad]

gordie...this is extremely unlikely that the pain in your arm has anything to do with your heart problem and certainly would not make one think of a heart attack.

The condition that comes to mind is cervical spondylosis.....no big deal and is just wear and tear of the neck.

Taking paracetamol is the correct procedure and by the time that you read my post it should have settled.

Keep us posted.

[wolf63]

gordie - Has your doctor prescribed anything else for your anxiety other than the Diazepam? (is that how you spell it?) Maybe some sort of counselling or referral to a psychiatrist?

Being in a permanent state of anxiety results in you keeping the anguish going by worrying about it and worrying about your health. In the last few years I have had episodes like yours and in each case they lasted almost a year.

Anxiety is part of the 'fight or flight' response that we have to situations perceived as dangerous. The response is appropriate, initially anyway, but the level of anxiety just seems to increase and keep going.

Try reading this leaflet to see if it helps http://rcpsych.ac.uk/...ty,panic,phobias.aspx

:-)