Why Does No One Listen To A Word I Say?

[Neverthesame]

So, for the last few months I have had pain in my shoulder and arm when moving my head and neck.

It got better for a while, but about a week ago, it got quite a bit worse. So naturally I ignored it, hoping it would go away. This doesn't seem to have worked, oddly.

Last night I went to reach for something across my bed on the nightstand. When I put my weight on my arm, I suddenly found myself face down on the mattress.

It didn't hurt, at least no more than usual. I just have no strength in that arm all of a sudden. Tried doing a pushup just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Nope.

Grabbed a small barbell, lay on my back and pushed it up away from my chest, or well... Tried to. No good.

I couldn't lift an 8lb weight. The strength is just gone. I'm pretty sure I need to see a doctor. Scratch that, I'm going to see a doctor. (in the waiting room now)

.... And that was a waste of time. f*ck it, done. Don't care anymore.

I said I have no strength extending my elbow. Or lifting anything above my head. Doctor said "squeeze my fingers, any weakness?" "No" "ok, it's fine"

I said I have pain deep in my neck radiating around my shoulder blade and down my arm, from the edge of the armpit, down the back of my arm.
Doctor pokes side of my neck and top of my shoulder. "Hurt?" "No" "ok it's fine".

I said I have numbness and tingling in my left index finger and thumb.
She had me close my eyes, then ran her hands down the outside of my arms, over the ring and little fingers. "Feel any difference?" "No" "Ok, it's fine".

It hurts to look up and down. Doctor had me turn my head left and right. "Hurt?" "No, not really" "Ok it's fine."

I got a script for a topical anti-inflammatory gel, to put on the top of my shoulder, that doesn't hurt. Or even feel tense, for that matter.....

So now I'm back at work, trying to will my f*cking arm to lift boxes over my head. Not having much luck.

But hey I'm fine right?

Took a huge risk, skipping off work to see a doctor. Now I'm f*cked I guess.

Sod it.

 

[ladee]

Sounds like you might need a specialist. I hate it when we have trouble putting into words what our problem is. They only look for a surface answer. Please don't let this go. You possibly have a pinched nerve somewhere. You said you were lifting boxes over your head. Do you do this everyday? You are right. Something is wrong. Find someone who knows what they are looking for. And by the way, I heard you !! Gentle hugs.

 

[Tinyflame]

Oh Dear @Neverthesame . :( :hug:

I know when my shoulder dislocates I only feel it in the neck (vice versa) but I've had something with my back/ shoulder only about 3 times, always in a stairwell, where all of a sudden it's like getting kicked in the back & drops me to my knees/ can't breath. How about a chiropractor?

Hugs++ for you. (Light ones!!)

ETA, I forgot the most important part: when I get the last one it seems to be related to my shoulder (the angle I'm holding the railing? + the weight on my arm?), & I lose total strength in both arms- cannot lift them, cannot move them. I've been lucky after about 10 minutes I can. Think though look also to your neck, or you can even have a rib twist under the other (but usually affects thoracic vertebrae, you probably know better than I).

 

[Casey_03]

I feel your pain. I had a similar problem with my arm and shoulder, and spent years -- yes, YEARS -- trying to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. Never did. At first several doctors told me I had just sprained a muscle and it was no big deal. Then it got worse and they said it was a pinched nerve. Then they told me it was just "pain." (Literally, the diagnosis was "pain") Then eventually they discovered I had an extra cervical rib that somehow no one had ever noticed but had caused the muscles in my arm and shoulder to get all screwed up. I'm still not sure what is actually wrong, but I continue to get these pains pretty regularly .... and when they are really bad I can't move my arm at all ... I'm sorry you've found yourself in this crap situation.

 

[mamachick]

It took me over 2 yrs to get a torn rotator cuff diagnosed. The system is designed to that you have to be so persistant. First some cream, then pain meds, more or stronger meds, then PT when they dont even know what for, then xray, then ct, then mri. Once diagnosed, injections and then surgery for me. But it seems to be the same protocol no matter what the condition is, its a slow process and seems like goal is for you to shut up and live with it. You are not alone.

 

[Neverthesame]

@ladee @Junebug @Casey_03 & @brat17

Firstly, thank you.

I don't feel physically any better, but I have calmed my ass down.

Unfortunately lifting heavy stuff is just part of the job. I somehow manged to get through the rest of my day. Though I am sure I looked something akin to a harp seal trying to push a piano up a fight of stairs.

The best my Google doctoring has figured (I am aware of how inaccurate that can be on a good day. And am trying to keep an open mind.) Is looking like some variety of Cervical Radiculopathy (Nerve pain originating from the cervical spine.) What specifically is wrong, I can't guess. I would need access to an MRI machine. Could be several things. But I don't think it's wise to latch onto symptoms without facts to back it up.

Having someone who has apparently spent many, many years in medical school. Totally ignore what I said, poke a few random spots and send me out of the door with a RX for a tube of bloody Ben-gay. Hit it's own special nerve.

I was careful not to sound like I was a Google doctor. As that never goes well. (Rightly so, in alot of cases)

I'll keep trying. That was very frustrating, but, well. Life seems to specialise in being frustrating.

Thanks again for the caring words and wisdom. I needed it. :)

 

[Fadeaway]

You should be more grateful, the Dr. at least gave you a cream. You don't want to be one of "those people" who think they know more about what they are feeling than their Dr. does do you. :rolleyes:

Sorry for the sarcasm heavey response. I am just sick so many people I know, including myself going through the same thing.

 

[mamachick]

My sister got so discouraged that she quit pushing for help. She was sick to her stomach. They FINALLY did and endoscopy after months and said she had GERD and told her to take over the counter Prilosec which didnt help. Her continued complaints led to a colonoscopy. Some abnormal blood work led to a pelvic ultrasound that was normal. Her back was killing her and after several visits and xray revealed arthritis, of course as she was 63 yrs old. She was told to take tylenol. After many visits and one test at time when she lived 30 minutes from the nearest hospital, she quit seeking help. She lived 500 miles from me and sounded terrible on the phone, angry for being in such pain and no pain meds given-just tylenol. Then her friend visited her and insisted she go to ER. In an hour, a CT showed she had pancreatic cancer that spread to liver and both lungs. She died a month later under Hospice care and could have all the pain meds she needed. She died a year ago this Friday. I am still angry, I guess that is evident.

My insurance is crap and denies reasonable treatment for about everything. I wonder how different my life would have been if they would have diagnosed my head injury and broken rib 10 yrs ago. They missed both, causing my lung to puncture. My T even suggested telling them I am an addict to get into treatment so my ptsd can be addressed. Ha, I have not been able to bring myself to lie to get help but I may have to in the future soon.

 

[Neverthesame]

@Fadeaway I know right?

I mean it must be so difficult to have to go into work everyday, knowing that you will be expected to be thorough about the work you do. By a bunch of entitled babies, who seem to think you're supposed to be able to improve their quality of life, because you have access to "medicines" and "diagnostic tools".

I should be so grateful of this doctor for doing the exact opposite of everything I said. That's the sign of a great doctor, making sure that rest of me is in fact ok, that I've not been blinded by the anatomical components that I already know aren't working properly.

I mean.... Oh God!!!!! I COULD HAVE HAD A HANGNAIL!! What a tragedy that could have been. Disaster averted. :p
Thank goodness for second opinions. Lmao.

@brat17 I am sorry to hear about your sister. That is such a shame.

Unfortunately insurance is a double edged sword as well. Being in Canada, I have the benefit of universal health care.

This however means that for every person that shows up at a doctor's office, with a medical problem. 10 more show up with a hangover. This means that with this "free" health care, you sometimes get what you pay for.