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What could cause right arm pain?
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What could cause right arm pain?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › What could cause right arm pain?

  • Post
    • October 14, 2011 at 5:11 pm
    nickmac56
    Participant

      For several weeks my wife has had numbness and tingling in her right arm. She had an MRI three weeks ago and nothing turned up – they focused that scan on the cervical spine (neck) due to her history of spinal tumors in the lumbar region of her epidural column. Two days ago she woke up and had extreme pain – 6-7 on a 10 scale. She's on pain meds and increased dose of steroids now and that seems to have helped so far. The MRI yesterday of two areas, the brachial plexus and chest, turned up nothing. Our doc said, "not sure where we stand".

      For several weeks my wife has had numbness and tingling in her right arm. She had an MRI three weeks ago and nothing turned up – they focused that scan on the cervical spine (neck) due to her history of spinal tumors in the lumbar region of her epidural column. Two days ago she woke up and had extreme pain – 6-7 on a 10 scale. She's on pain meds and increased dose of steroids now and that seems to have helped so far. The MRI yesterday of two areas, the brachial plexus and chest, turned up nothing. Our doc said, "not sure where we stand". Hard for me to believe it's a pinched nerve without a cause. With her tumor history you'd think one is lurking and hitting a nerve somewhere. Anyone have any ideas I can pass along to our oncologist?

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 14, 2011 at 7:25 pm
        lhaley
        Participant

          Nick,

          When I was dealing in 06 with my first recurrance I was also on a trial of GMCSF.  I ended up having some real issues. A pain specialist finally found 3 cysts that had enlarged just a bit that was pressing on the root nerve sleeve.  Nothing would help.  I ended up with an accupuncturist.  Within a day I could actually move the arm by a bit, within 3 more sessions I could move more.  It did take months but it really helped.    I would talk to your oncologist to discuss the thoughts to help with the pain using this a little more natural to also help whatever you are doing. 

          Linda

          • October 14, 2011 at 7:25 pm
          lhaley
          Participant

            Nick,

            When I was dealing in 06 with my first recurrance I was also on a trial of GMCSF.  I ended up having some real issues. A pain specialist finally found 3 cysts that had enlarged just a bit that was pressing on the root nerve sleeve.  Nothing would help.  I ended up with an accupuncturist.  Within a day I could actually move the arm by a bit, within 3 more sessions I could move more.  It did take months but it really helped.    I would talk to your oncologist to discuss the thoughts to help with the pain using this a little more natural to also help whatever you are doing. 

            Linda

            • October 14, 2011 at 7:25 pm
            lhaley
            Participant

              Nick,

              When I was dealing in 06 with my first recurrance I was also on a trial of GMCSF.  I ended up having some real issues. A pain specialist finally found 3 cysts that had enlarged just a bit that was pressing on the root nerve sleeve.  Nothing would help.  I ended up with an accupuncturist.  Within a day I could actually move the arm by a bit, within 3 more sessions I could move more.  It did take months but it really helped.    I would talk to your oncologist to discuss the thoughts to help with the pain using this a little more natural to also help whatever you are doing. 

              Linda

              • October 14, 2011 at 9:30 pm
              CKasper
              Participant

                Did she have surgery in the arm?  lynph nodes removed?  some times the nerves will cause terrible pain

                • October 14, 2011 at 9:30 pm
                CKasper
                Participant

                  Did she have surgery in the arm?  lynph nodes removed?  some times the nerves will cause terrible pain

                  • October 14, 2011 at 9:30 pm
                  CKasper
                  Participant

                    Did she have surgery in the arm?  lynph nodes removed?  some times the nerves will cause terrible pain

                    • October 14, 2011 at 11:34 pm
                    FormerCaregiver
                    Participant

                      Nick, I think that it would be an idea to consult a pain specialist. Here is some info
                      about pain management: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_management

                      As to what could the pain, it is really difficult to tell as you have discovered. MRIs
                      aren't 100% accurate. Here is an article about the accuracy of MRIs when they are used
                      for non melanoma related back problems: http://www.josr-online.com/content/3/1/46

                      Therefore, MRI scans probably don't show very small tumours that may be forming. Of
                      course, it is always possible that it could be referred pain due to nerve damage at a
                      distant location. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain

                      Hope this helps.

                      Frank from Australia

                        • October 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
                        nickmac56
                        Participant

                          thanks Frank. Her pain is down quite a bit and being managed by 12 mg a day dose of steroids and ibuprofen now, so I am quite certain there is a tumor somewhere that the MRI is not picking up.

                          • October 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
                          nickmac56
                          Participant

                            thanks Frank. Her pain is down quite a bit and being managed by 12 mg a day dose of steroids and ibuprofen now, so I am quite certain there is a tumor somewhere that the MRI is not picking up.

                            • October 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
                            nickmac56
                            Participant

                              thanks Frank. Her pain is down quite a bit and being managed by 12 mg a day dose of steroids and ibuprofen now, so I am quite certain there is a tumor somewhere that the MRI is not picking up.

                            • October 14, 2011 at 11:34 pm
                            FormerCaregiver
                            Participant

                              Nick, I think that it would be an idea to consult a pain specialist. Here is some info
                              about pain management: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_management

                              As to what could the pain, it is really difficult to tell as you have discovered. MRIs
                              aren't 100% accurate. Here is an article about the accuracy of MRIs when they are used
                              for non melanoma related back problems: http://www.josr-online.com/content/3/1/46

                              Therefore, MRI scans probably don't show very small tumours that may be forming. Of
                              course, it is always possible that it could be referred pain due to nerve damage at a
                              distant location. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain

                              Hope this helps.

                              Frank from Australia

                              • October 14, 2011 at 11:34 pm
                              FormerCaregiver
                              Participant

                                Nick, I think that it would be an idea to consult a pain specialist. Here is some info
                                about pain management: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_management

                                As to what could the pain, it is really difficult to tell as you have discovered. MRIs
                                aren't 100% accurate. Here is an article about the accuracy of MRIs when they are used
                                for non melanoma related back problems: http://www.josr-online.com/content/3/1/46

                                Therefore, MRI scans probably don't show very small tumours that may be forming. Of
                                course, it is always possible that it could be referred pain due to nerve damage at a
                                distant location. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referred_pain

                                Hope this helps.

                                Frank from Australia

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