Has anyone had pain from the neck down the left arm?

Question

My husband woke up from falling asleep on the recliner and has since then had severe pain from his neck down his left arm for about 3 weeks now. we went to the emergency room and they did a EKG to rule out his heart it was fine. Gave him pain meds and muscle relaxers but still having pain.

Answer 1

Yes, that happened to my husband, as well. It is probably a pinched nerve from a muscle spasm in the neck. You should consult with a doctor and have him get an MRI (to be sure there is nothing worse going on) and get into physical therapy. My husband's hand was numb for 3 weeks before he had it checked out. A few weeks in therapy and everything is JUST fine again!

Answer 2

The pain you are describing can also be associated with panic and anxiety. Is your husband stressing about things at home or at work? Anxiety and panic are mean things to deal with. Is his pain constant or intermittant? Does he hurt more when he is feeling any sort of fears and or worry?
If he is anxious about something that has been bothering him for some time it can cause him to have a panic attack and he will feel like he is having a heart attack. The panic sensation can also occur out of the blue or, it can manifest as a choking sensation, as though he were being strangled..
The good thing about all of this is that it can be managed and defeated. A good psychiatrist can prescribe one small pill a day that will adjust his mood and allow him to worry less and relax more until it finally becomes nothing to worry about at all.
Now on the other worry you are both having, his heart. Have you seen a cardiologist for a full review of his heart health and stress testing?? That is where you will get almost all the answers you could want concerning the heart's health. Make an appointment and stop all the fears.

Answer 3

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RE:
Has anyone had pain from the neck down the left arm?
My husband woke up from falling asleep on the recliner and has since then had severe pain from his neck down his left arm for about 3 weeks now. we went to the emergency room and they did a EKG to rule out his heart it was fine. Gave him pain meds and muscle relaxers but still having pain.

Answer 4

Neck pain (and peripheral arm pain) may be caused by disc degeneration, narrowing of the spinal canal, arthritis, and, in rare cases meningitis. For serious neck problems, a primary care physician and often a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, should be consulted to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Since the muscle relaxers have not yielded relief - I would have a tendency to think it is definitely nerve related. Good luck,

Answer 5

Possibly spondylitis or radiculopathy - basically muscleo-skeletal - a pinched nerve or radicule, maybe even tendonitis.
Note also that a "clear" EKG doesn't necessarily rule out a heart attack, LVA blockage, other coronary problems, or angina.
See a cardiologist as well as an orthopedist - the ER docs are often terrific but can also be 2nd year residents, using older, iffy EKG machines. (There's a reason why they have angiograms, blood gases, and other cardio diagnostics.)

Answer 6

I would think its the neck, I was in a car accident and hurt my neck and the pain goes down my shoulder to the arm and hands. A neurologist or Physiatrist can treat this pain with physical therapy. See if your insurance companyor Primary Care Physician can reffer him to one of these specialist. A Physiatrist would work in a department like Physical Medicine.

Answer 7

Yes and that's an early sign for a heart stroke or cardiac problems like Angina Pectoris and Myocardial Infarction. A Cardiologist is the right medical expert you have to consult.

Answer 8

Does he work with repeated motions with his hands. If so it could be carpel tunnel syndrome. The pain in my hands went all the way up to my neck. Especially after sleeping. Pinched nerve perhaps.

Answer 9

Pinched nerve. Chiropractor

Answer 10

Sounds like it may be a trapped nerve but he should visit the doctor again as any feelings like this down your left side have to be treated as dangerous to health.