Sudden Weakness in arms

[Vasi]

In the last few months I have been getting a sudden weakness in both arms.  It comes on suddenly and lasts a maximum of 5 minutes.  When it happens I cannot lift anything.  I feel so weak that I have to sit or lie down until it passes.  This week it hit me twice.  Before these 2 incidents, the last time this happened was a month ago and before that was probably another month (2 times in a week).  The sensation is from the shoulders down to my hands.  Any ideas?

Thanks

[Rosalee44]

I have this same thing and it s exactly like you said - arms extremely weak and very hot and it goes into my chest. Today my cardiologist hooked me up to a heart monitor and I just hope it happens while I am wearing it. I had 4- way bypass last month, but it was happening before that. When it happens to me, I feel incapacitated and like I freeze up for a while. It is quite scary.

[Cam6J]

I recently experienced an attack very very similar to what you describe here. All tests come back perfectly healthy. I am wondering if you have ever been able to find answers to what you were experiencing? Thanks!

[Cam6J]

I actually had this happen for the first time a week and a half ago and went to the ER where they ran a bunch of tests and everything was fine. Had a stress test done Monday and everything looked perfect. Weirdest thing ever. Have you found an answer yet???

[JRCC]

Answer may be that there is no answer.  Could be a range of possible cause that very from perosn to person.  Could be several possible combinations.  I had serveral onsets over the years and hadn't had one for over a year.  This moening had another.  Mine seems related to overwork of arms, long day of work, and stress (even light stress).  Good thing is that it passes quickly and doen't seem to have any long term effects.  The firs ttime I wa terrified that I was having a heart attack, but now I just lie down or relax (had it once when driving and just relaxed until it passes after 30 seconds or so).

[goodnesskids]

I suffered from bilateral arm pain and weakness for years, and I have finally found the solution for me, and it is posture related. I heard about a women who studied people in small villages around the world who had no back pain, so I ordered her book and made some adjustments to my posture. I haven't had an episode since. "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back," by Esther Gokhale.

[Tess9]

If you take antidepressants such as amitriptyline 10 mg like I was for migraine I believe this was causing it. I stopped and have no symptoms since. Also sinus sprays such as otrivine seems to cause it too.

[Legalassistant]

I have had  4 episodes since July 1, 2016.   I started taking Cymbalta to help my nerve problems in my legs.   Cymbalta (antidepressant) made me feel funky and then these episodes began.  I'm also using a topical steroid called "Fluocinonide" to help with itching.  I read that both medications can cause "tiredness" and "weakness."   I only took 1 20mg Cymbalta and stopped taking it.   But I have been using the topical steroid (very little) and wondering whether these medications are to blame.

[wtx]

For 10 yrs I have had these symptoms, but not often.  After about a year, I have had 2 in the last 3 wks. I had EKG, chest x-rays, angiogram, cardioscope, stress test, carotid artery scope.  This all resulted in NOTHING! No  diagnosis. I have found no related foods, times of day, or anything. It just happens when it happens. My family doctor and cardiologist act like they have never heard these symptoms before.  I am giving them this http.  Some of you explain it better.