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Upper arm pain - please help, not at home!

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Posted 12/2/2014 2:38 PM (GMT -5)
Okay we just left for vacation today. Yesterday my upper arm was hurting with movement. I've had some problems with my left side for some time now. about a year ago I was lowering from a plank position and felt a soreness that ended up lasting a couple days. It went away and I didn't go to the doctor. I have recently started yoga again and love it, but am wondering if some poses are making this act up again. Today it's really painful when I make certain movements. But it seems to radiate into my neck and down my arm and into my back. So it makes me wonder, is it more than an injury? I know I need to see my doctor, but we're not going to be home until Saturday night. It feels like I can feel exactly where this pain is coming from when I move my arm a certain way, but the fact that it's radaiating concerns me. And that it's my left arm. Like right now, my whole head feels tense, mostly on the left, but on the right, too. We're in a sunny, beautiful place and I want to enjoy this trip but I'm freaking out! My anxiety has been super high lately anyway and having had a cold for two weeks and a bad 3 day menstrual migraine haven't helped. But I've been so looking forward to this trip.
Posted 12/2/2014 4:06 PM (GMT -5)
ME.,

A good plan for now would probably be this...

Use your coping skills to lessen your symptoms, do some light stretching of the area...and watch and wait.

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

 

I know that when I have been on vacation, symptoms can either be non-existent...or conversely...they can really act up!

Not having the safety net of being at home can play up our worries.

If you experience any other new symptoms, then you will want to get checked out locally while away...for peace of mind if nothing else.

However, this is likely the old injury and anxiety rearing its head, and trying to take over your vacation fun.:(

Spend some quiet time to do breathing and progressive muscle relaxation...and get as relaxed body and mind as you can. This should help.:)

With encouragement for a great rest of your trip!

S.C.

Posted 12/2/2014 4:31 PM (GMT -5)
Ibuprofen is very good for a strain like you have.
Posted 12/2/2014 5:40 PM (GMT -5)
Other random bits and thoughts,...I know my PT has told me (at least in my situation) that if the pain can be duplicated with specific movement, it can often be a case of an irritation or inflammation that's getting exacerbated.

I've also found that when that is the case, that taking it easier on that particular joint and giving it more time to warm up and adapt is helpful. Heck, I've got my share of unequal, imbalanced and even dodgy joints and limbs, so I do a lot of "favouring" and unilateral work.

Seems to help...





M.
Posted 12/2/2014 9:30 PM (GMT -5)
My health anxiety has me constantly dealing with this type of pain. I believe that once you've strained a muscle in your chest or arm it takes along time to heal and can easily be strained again.

Try your coping techniques until you see your doctor.

Good luck.
Posted 12/3/2014 8:47 AM (GMT -5)
I'm trying to just relax and enjoy. It's hard. Luckily we were super busy yesterday and falling asleep was easy. But then I woke in the night and couldn't breathe because of my stuffed up nose and get like my heart was racing. Thankfully fell back asleep. Same pain in my arm, shoulder, neck. It's a lot like it was last year when I first started having bad physical symptoms, so that is party reassuring, but at the same time the arm pain is something kinda new. I've had problems with it before, but it just hadn't been this bad. I know I was having a hard time at yoga Monday stretching this side as much as the other so I tried not to, but perhaps I did overextend? Ibuprofen did help, but I worry about taking too much. It's a cycle and it's stressful. I'm with family, but not my husband and he's kind of like my anchor so I think I'm feełing especially tense. Thank you all so much for being here with me!!
Posted 12/3/2014 12:08 PM (GMT -5)
ME,

You are doing great! How much longer is the stay?

Hang in there until you can get home and have it checked out.

Sending you encouragement and wishes for a calm and pain free day!

S.C.
Posted 12/4/2014 8:17 AM (GMT -5)
We leave Saturday so halfway there. I love where we are and I love that it's warm and sunny. It's unbearably cold already at home and I hate it and I think it's affecting my emotional state a lot already. But I'm just having a hard time being away and having my son, but not my husband. We're having a good time. I'm doing my best. It's the middle of the night wake ups that freak me out. I feel like this arm pain is physical after needing to move my son in bed last night and I aggraveted it bad again. But still, it causes me anxiety. And when you add heart palps into the mix it doesn't help. I'm happy to be here and I'll be happy to go home. And, again, I'm so glad I can talk to you.
Posted 12/4/2014 11:20 AM (GMT -5)
Of course...post as much as you need to.:)....

...but hopefully your last few days will be relaxed and full of fun, with no pain increase!!

Thoughts and prayers!

S.C.
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