After doing my job at work for about 5 min. I expercianced the most termoundous (sp) pain in my left arm and upper shoulder blade.
I tried to shake it off but the pain would not go away.
Talked to the company nurse, she sent me to my family Dr.
He did a EKG, said it was fine but wanted to cover all options.
Now, heres what's so remarkable about this story. It's true. My family Dr. told me to go outside and get in his car and he would drive me to a Heart Dr. I did what I was told. Dropped me off, got on a treadmill. First time, only lasted 6 min.
But the good news to this I have nothing wrong with my heart. And, that specialist gave me his beeper if I ever experiance symptom's again.
Came home at 5:00pm and decidied I've been thru enough. Took a hot bath and came here.
Thanks for listening.
Marcia

Marcia, that's certainly a committed doctor you have, serving as your ambulance driver.

I used to spend a lot of time in emergency rooms, and was told something interesting: The major reason for "false alarm" ER visits = Someone thinking they're having a heart attack.
The major reason ER doctors get sued for malpractice = not realizing someone really is having a heart attack.

What's the doctors' best guess for what happened to you?

Good Morning Alan,
I've got some pinched nerves going on in my neck and the way I had my neck posisitioned for a good 5 min. at my job probably contrubited to the searing pain down my left arm.
That was my Drs. thought as well as the Heart Dr.
I'm having a Rhizotomy (burning of the nerves) done in my neck in the next couple of weeks. That specialist seems to think that will take all the pain away that I've lived with for so long. Sure hope it works.
Thanks Alan for asking.
Marcia

Marcia,

Have you ever been checked for TOS (Thorasic Outlet Syndrome)? It is a condition where there are false ribs associated with cervical vertebra that get inflamed. I have this problem and sometimes get a burning pain like you mentioned.

The first way they diagnose it is with x-rays of the lower cervical vertebra. The false ribs are short little rib like bones that are incomplete and do not serve any function. They tend to get inflamed as we age and get minor disk degeneration.

You might already have x-rays on file that can be reviewed again. It the radiologist was not looking for cervical ribs, he might not notice them.

I have a physical therapist who is an expert at working with TOS. I got my diagnosis from a Physiatrist.

My TOS also causes abdominal bloating as it can cause a paralytic ileum.

btw, Some MD's do not believe in TOS. Since it is hard to diagnose and hard to treat, some say it does not exist.