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211940 tn?1267881266

Upper Arm Pain mid arm between the elbow and shoulder

I have been looking everywhere for an answer, maybe someone here can.

About 1 year ago I began having pain in my right upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow, about mid arm where the biceps brachii muscle or brachialis muscle is.
I went to my Primary Physician who said it was a torn brachialis muscle.  Since I was working at a 2nd job, I thought it might be job related so I went through the whole Workman's Comp issue.  They sent me to 4 doctors who did nothing for me, finally the case was settled and my lawyer got most of the money, but I still have the pain.  It is an extreme ache down to the bone, that is unbearable at night.  Even with pain medicine and sleep aides, I get about 2-3 hours a night.  Finally, I went back to my own doctor and asked if he could help me, he said yes.  He sent me for an MRI, and then to an Orthopedic Surgeon.  The Surgeon said the MRI revealed a cyst inside the humerus bone about 1 cm by 5 mm, that would have to be "watched" to see if it grows, if it does, it could weaken the bone, and the slightest mishap could break the bone.  However, he said it could NOT be causing me so much pain.  He checked out my arm and noticed a hard soft tissue knot, and suggested removing it through surgery and it "might" relieve my pain.  So, 3 weeks ago I had the said surgery and it was removed (a hard soft tissue mass about the size of a marble).  No, this was not the cyst inside my humerus bone.  Anyways, I still have the pain, and it is extremely terrible at night (on a scale of 1 to 10, a 20 at night).  I even have the same pain, in the same place, in my left arm, but to a much lesser degree (maybe a 5-7 at night, but bearable).  I have tried many unsuccessful web searches, trying to find something that might lead me to an answer for what this is, so here I am grasping at cyber straws.  I have this incredible pain, that is extremely painful at night, no idea what it is, therefore  no idea how to cure it.  Please, if you have any ideas of where to research, I am definitely open and also AWAKE.  Thank you for your time, consideration, and cooperation in this matter, I deeply appreciate it.
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Avatar universal
I have had a similar experience last year.  It seemed to start after my flu vaccination.  I've had them for years, but this year my arm where I had the shot was sore for weeks.  Then it started to get worse in my arms while working above my head.  I work in a bowling center as I have for the last 40 plus years.  All of a sudden it seemed as if someone flipped a switch and the pain started.  I tried  to see my regular doctor. but he was booked up for a month,  So I went to the walk-in clinic to get checked out.  She immediately thought I sounded like I had some pneumonia.  So after three chest x-rays and a ct scan over a months time the arm pain was put on the back burner,  After about three months later we started working on the arm pain.  One of my older customer and friends told me he had similar problem years ago.  He had a hard time closing his car door with his left arm.  His doctor gave him a large injection of prednizone and he was playing golf the next week.  A month later after seeing my regular doctor, he suggested I see a neurologist.  Well he checked me out and suggested trying Prednizone intraveiniously over three days in large doses.  It definitely has made a difference, but I wonder if it would have been better months earlier.  I still have my suspicions about the flu vaccination starting this.  I still get the pain in my biceps when I lie down.  I am also on arthritis pain medication.  Your story reminded me of my own.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's shingles without a rash. You need high-dose acyclovir. I 100% promise you it will work. My pain stopped almost immediately. In my case, the illness had progressed to point that I could not lift my arms. This persisted even after the acyclovir. It turned out it was because of lymph blockage. After nine months of being unable to use my arms, I had just one Vodder method manual lymphatic drainage massage and overnight was able to lift my arms above my head. See a certified professional. I was also diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and that was not it. Feel free to email me. .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is it worse at night? Feel all over your body very carefully, especially your upper arms where the pain is. Do you have any lumps?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency too. That's not it. It's shingles without a rash. You need high-dose acyclovir. I 100% promise you it will work. My pain stopped. In my case, the illness had progressed to point that I could not lift my arms. This persisted even after the acyclovir. It turned out it was because of lymph blockage. After nine months of being unable to use my arms, I had just one Vodder method manual lymphatic drainage massage and overnight was able to lift my arms above my head. See a certified professional.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had it too and it was horrible. The pain was epic. Both of my shoulders locked up. Everyone said it was frozen shoulders, but no physical therapies worked. Xrays and ultrasounds showed nothing. Blood tests showed nothing. Finally, a radiologist told me that my shoulders were not frozen. That did not explain the pain and why I could not lift my arms, but it did help me to feel like someone understood. HERE'S WHAT HELPED: High doses of acyclovir (the medicine for shingles and cold sores) stopped the pain immediately. After nine months, I tried manual lymphatic drainage and after ONE time I could lift my arms above my head. I discovered both of these things myself and doctors were very resistant. I have also discovered that the underlying problem for me is Addison's Disease. If you want information on how I got Acyclovir and what dosage worked, my email is .
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
how did you get acyclovir and what dosage I should get
Avatar universal
I had it too and it was horrible. The pain was epic. Both of my shoulders locked up. Everyone said it was frozen shoulders, but no physical therapies worked. Xrays and ultrasounds showed nothing. Blood tests showed nothing. Finally, a radiologist told me that my shoulders were not frozen. That did not explain the pain and why I could not lift my arms, but it did help me to feel like someone understood. HERE'S WHAT HELPED: High doses of acyclovir (the medicine for shingles and cold sores) stopped the pain immediately. After nine months, I tried manual lymphatic drainage and after ONE time I could lift my arms above my head. I discovered both of these things myself and doctors were very resistant. I have also discovered that the underlying problem for me is Addison's Disease. If you want information on how I got Acyclovir and what dosage worked, my email is .
Helpful - 0
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