What Causes Pulsating Pain In Right Arm?

Posted on Wed, 15 Oct 2014

Question: I have a sharp pulsating pain under my right arm. It is short lived and I have had this for several years, It comes and goes very occationally. I have mentioned it to doctors several times and it was dismissed. Today it lasted about a mintue. It made my arm weak. It has stopped now and I took my blood preasure and it was 149 over 80. I am on benicar and took 2 baby asprin when it started. Not a question. My Triglicerides are good, I walk up to 10,000 steps(sometimes more) a day with no pain in my chest.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know little detail about your illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I can understand that you want to know the cause of your strange pain. It can be a neurological cause. But before I advise you any thing I want to know few details about your plain ?
1. Is this pain is limited to one point or diffuse?
2. Can you define the pain in detail, nature, severity , aggravating factors , and relieving factor?
3. Do you ever taken pain killers for this pain?
Please send me answer of these questions. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 days later)

The pain is located in my arm pit and it seems localized just there in one spot. It feels like I imagine an electrical shock would pulsate. It is painful enough to cause me to go into a cold sweat immediately. Then it goes away.

My arm was weak while I was in pain then I was fine after. It comes on without physical stress like exercise. I do not need pain killers because it is always short lived.

Neurological could be the explanation. It this common?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It can be a neurological issue

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and It is not common to have such pain. You can say it is very rare.I would suggest you to get a ultrasound examination of the axilla to see of there is any enlarge lymph node or any other swelling is present.
Also to rule out nerve related problem, a EMG test should be done. It can be a entrapped nerve under any muscle which can cause electric like sensations.
I would also suggest you take Methylcobal tablet one daily. It is neuro vitamin and helpful in such conditions.
I hope this answer will be useful for you, Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju