Severe pain in arms at night

[Mollard]

Over the last 18 months, I have developed severe pain in my arms, mostly at night. There are very few positions I can move my arms into without pain and it is seriously affecting my ability to get a good night's rest. I cannot extend my left arm more than 90 degrees or reach around my back without almost immediate intense pain in my biceps and sometimes radiating down to my wrist. The sensation is an intense, deep, burning pain in the muscles. It is very positional and comes and goes almost as if someone was throwing an on/off switch. I believe it is neurological in nature. I have seen 5 doctors, including orthos and neurologists without a diagnosis. I have convinced my PCP to prescribe me gabapentin (300 mg at night), which seems to help some. Any ideas?

[BogotaSlim]

3 things, compressed nerves in you arm, ruptured disk in neck, possibly on on the cord or my best and the one I'd bet on is you rotator cuff needs an overhaul. Have had all three problem and could not lay down without severe pain nand some tears. Unfortunately these days you'll have to see 3 different doctors because now they are a racket, best of luck

[Ellen038]

I wonder if steroids like prednisone would help alleviate some of the pain since you have autoimmune issues. I know thyroid controls a lot of functions but I'm not sure if it would cause this type of trouble. I know arthritis can cause some pain in the joints too. I have it in my back and shoulder since my early 30's. I hope you are able to find some relief soon!

[Mollard]

Hi Ellen,

Yes, I've had xrays, and 3 recent MRIs:  both shoulders and cervical spine. Some minor age related stenosis was found (I'm 57), but nothing that was bad enough to account for my symptoms. I've recently had a worsening also of carpal tunnel that I've had for 30 years, especially at night. But the issue I described is unrelated to that. I have flareups of autoimmune-related conditions from time to time and in the back of my mind keep wondering if there might be a connection to that. Possibly unrelated, but I also have parathyroid problems, Two PT surgeries have left me with minimal PT function (I have to take calcium supplements) and oddly, this arm pain timeline coincides with the PT problems. I can't see how they could be connected, though.

[Ellen038]

Neck or shoulder injuries come to mind from what you've described. I have both and have to sleep with my arms down or I wake up in severe pain and numbness. Cortisone injections can be helpful. I know they helped my shoulders. I haven't had them in my neck because I actually don't want to start messing with that. I have back injuries and chronic pain from multiple failed surgeries so I'm afraid to make my neck any worse then it already is. Have you had any X-rays of your shoulders or neck?