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What Causes Pain In Left Arm, Neck And Upper Back Area?
Question: Hi, I have an aching left arm, neck and upper back; heavy, infected headachy feeling; painful lower limbs and can hear my squishing heart beat! And tired...All persisting for ten days or so. Headache from before that. I do have the occasional migraine and frequent chronic sinus headache (no sneezing or runny nose, but severely sore eyes and head etc.).
I am on a very low dosage BP pill, Zia beta.
I think it's time to see a doctor, but what specialist?
Thank you... XXXXXXX
I am on a very low dosage BP pill, Zia beta.
I think it's time to see a doctor, but what specialist?
Thank you... XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Neurologist, check heart rate as well.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
Looking at those symptoms seems more likely a neck issue like cervical disc disease or other degenerative spine issues which are often associated with pain radiation in the arm and the head due to compression of cervical nerve roots.
However considering the persistence of the symptoms despite trying the usual anti inflammatory drugs makes a physical evaluation necessary as you yourself said in order to look for other signs you might have missed and some routine blood and neck/head imaging tests according to the findings.
The type of specialist which is most appropriate is a neurologist but if it is hard to get appointments (depending on the health system organisation where you live), a general practitioner visit first is also recommended.
Also check your pulse rate and blood pressure for the possibility of the drug you're taking (I don't know a zia beta, perhaps it's Zebeta-bisoprolol) excessively lowering heart and blood pressure causing the heart beat and tiredness that you feel.
I hope to have been of help.
Neurologist, check heart rate as well.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
Looking at those symptoms seems more likely a neck issue like cervical disc disease or other degenerative spine issues which are often associated with pain radiation in the arm and the head due to compression of cervical nerve roots.
However considering the persistence of the symptoms despite trying the usual anti inflammatory drugs makes a physical evaluation necessary as you yourself said in order to look for other signs you might have missed and some routine blood and neck/head imaging tests according to the findings.
The type of specialist which is most appropriate is a neurologist but if it is hard to get appointments (depending on the health system organisation where you live), a general practitioner visit first is also recommended.
Also check your pulse rate and blood pressure for the possibility of the drug you're taking (I don't know a zia beta, perhaps it's Zebeta-bisoprolol) excessively lowering heart and blood pressure causing the heart beat and tiredness that you feel.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, it IS helpful!
The Zia beta is Ziak, very low dosage to keep bp low. In December I had various routine checks, cholesterol was fine, iron levels fine, no thyroid issue. Heart rate was discovered to be slow, but the GP said it was because of the Zia beta. As you say!
I will make an appointment with the neurologist who saw me seven years ago for the migraine.
What impact could the sinusitis have? I have a slightly deviated septum. My sore eyes don't help!
I do wear reading glasses now. I am at a loss trying to manage this.
Thank you.
The Zia beta is Ziak, very low dosage to keep bp low. In December I had various routine checks, cholesterol was fine, iron levels fine, no thyroid issue. Heart rate was discovered to be slow, but the GP said it was because of the Zia beta. As you say!
I will make an appointment with the neurologist who saw me seven years ago for the migraine.
What impact could the sinusitis have? I have a slightly deviated septum. My sore eyes don't help!
I do wear reading glasses now. I am at a loss trying to manage this.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Sinusitis causes headache but not neck and arm pain.
Detailed Answer:
Sinusitis can certainly cause headache and sore eyes but it doesn't explain the neck and arm pain that you describe.
So I think an evaluation is warranted by a neurologist for those additional symptoms, perhaps also head and neck imaging to look for neck issues I mentioned earlier or even other conditions presenting with similar symptoms like a Chiari malformation. The need for imaging will depend on the neurologists findings on neurological exam though.
If your heart rate goes under 50 beats per minute (you can easily check it at home by counting your pulsations in a minute at the wrist) then perhaps Ziak (which though not the brand I suggested before contained the same bisoprolol anyway) is causing an excessive effect. Not likely as the dose of bisoprolol contained in Ziak is really low, but just to make sure.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Sinusitis causes headache but not neck and arm pain.
Detailed Answer:
Sinusitis can certainly cause headache and sore eyes but it doesn't explain the neck and arm pain that you describe.
So I think an evaluation is warranted by a neurologist for those additional symptoms, perhaps also head and neck imaging to look for neck issues I mentioned earlier or even other conditions presenting with similar symptoms like a Chiari malformation. The need for imaging will depend on the neurologists findings on neurological exam though.
If your heart rate goes under 50 beats per minute (you can easily check it at home by counting your pulsations in a minute at the wrist) then perhaps Ziak (which though not the brand I suggested before contained the same bisoprolol anyway) is causing an excessive effect. Not likely as the dose of bisoprolol contained in Ziak is really low, but just to make sure.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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