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I have experienced debilitating nerve pain shooting through my entire right arm to the tips of my fourth and fifth fingers for over 3 weeks, doctors have yet to diagnose. In addition to that shooting pain, I have a constant ache in my right scapula area that transfers to my chest, as well, as discomfort and pain when turning my head to my right shoulder. An MRI has been ordered, but due to the holidays and waiting on insurance approval, it’s not yet scheduled. Doctors have prescribed gabapentin, tramadol, and I am currently finishing up a Medrol Pack. My orthopedic physician, specializes in hand and arms, so I have been referred to a spinal surgeon. While I wait for MRI, can you share your thoughts with me? I am desperate for relief of the excruciating, shooting pain throughout my entire right arm.
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@franmarz Welcome to Connect. I know it is difficult to be in pain, and sharing knowledge with others can help you get control of your health and advocate for what you need with your doctors. I have had a spine problem with cervical spinal stenosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome affecting the same arm at the same time. I did have a C5/C6 spinal fusion surgery at Mayo that relieved the spine generated pain and dysfunction.
Questions like these can help your doctors figure out where the issues are. How did your pain come about? Did you have a recent injury or fall? Is this a new pain or something that you've had before? Have you ever had a whiplash?
All the symptoms you mention could be associated to thoracic outlet syndrome, or a spine problem with nerve roots getting pinched, spinal cord compression, or compressed nerves further down the pathway to your arm and hand or any/all of the above. The MRI should show something if it is a spine problem and they are looking at your neck. If it is TOS, often that doesn't show on an MRI. That is a compression of nerves after leaving the spine that happens between the collar bone and rib cage. I have had times when I could not turn my head because of TOS. Has this changed your breathing or your heart rate? Do you also have neck pain?
Do your symptoms get better or worse when you lay down? Does your hand turn bluish and get cold? When did this problem start? Was there an event that started it, and was there any sound associated with that in your neck? Does an ice pack or a heat wrap help the pain?
When you have shooting pain like a burning stabbing electric pain, that often is a sign of a nerve compression. Nerves travel through some pretty small spaces in the body. Does it help to prop up your arm of support your neck and not move? Does change of body or neck position increase or decrease your pain? Does bending your elbow or wrist increase the pain? Do you have headaches, and where? Are there other symptoms that I didn't ask about?
Have you looked up the spine surgeon that you will be seeing?