hi
since early october of this year I have had mild (on a scale of pain 1-10, i give it a 3 ) sharp,aching,stinging pains in my left arm .The pains are usualy in just one area or my arm at a time and it only last a few seconds off and on.I have felt it in my shoulder,bicep,forearm,and hand ...once in a while i notice a bit of tingling in my hand or a finger or two.I have also felt this pain in the left side of my chest a few times and a bit in my neck.Anyway, i dont know if this sounds muscular or what.I went to the ER several days ago scared it could be my heart because of the chest pain..had ecg,blood tests,and chest xray.doctor said he doesnt think it is my heart only because the only risk factor i have is smoking and all the tests came back fine.He also said he cannot tell me for sure it isnt though.I asked him what else could it be and said well muscular maybe.Anyway he susgested a stress test ,but i have no health insurance and that er visit with tests is gonna cost me a fortunes already.I do lean my arms and elbows on my pc desk alot and i carry babies around and groceries and things.I just dont know what to do i was hoping i could get some opinions on this (i know your not doctors) maybe someone here can relate to my pains? please id love to hear what ya think

thanks

When I have experienced the symptoms you describe, I have had a pinched nerve or two in my neck or upper back. I go to a chiropractor who works on the trigger points as well as adjusting the vertebrae that are pinching the nerves. I suppose an osteopath or physical therapist might help in that case....x-rays or MRI of spine might be called for to see if that is what is causing your problem.

thanks for the reply.....
so you had the pains in your chest sometimes too with the pinched nerve?

If I had a rib vertebrae out of alignment, it would hurt so much I couldn't breathe very well. With one in my upper back or lower neck...I'd get pain in my left arm as well as left side of chest under breast and under arm.

tnmom,
My surgeon told me that CTS can have pain in the area just below the collar bone. Pain in hands and arms are limited to the side where the thumb, pointer and middle finger are and going up the arm from that.

I have your symtoms and more, My elbow is my biggest problem. My shoulders, arms, elbow. Sharp pains that come and go. My elbow stays sore and gives me problems since I do alot of lifting and hand use at work. Doc says I do not have Tennis Elbow although I did have it previously. He did a MRI, I have a deginerated disc and a bone spur in my neck (cervical spine) He recommends a series of 3 epidural cortizone injections. I have had one, no relife, doc said this is not unusual after the 1st. I go next week for my second. It really hurt, did not think I would take the 2nd until this pain told me diffrently. Good Luck!