What type of doctor............

[susanktz]

I have been having constant dull aching pain in my upper right arm for about 2 months. It has recently started getting worse. And now it has started to reach the back side of my upper shoulder.

At first, I attributed to the "mouse-itis", but now I don't know if that is really what it is or not.

After looking online at the systems, it "could" be burcitis, but I do not want to self-diagnos.

My question is.... what type of doctor should I see?

My co-workers say I should see my general practicioner and have them refer me. But my GP is my gynocologist. I really hate to go to him to complain about arm pain. My insurance plan does not require me to have a referal.... so what kind of doctor should I contact for this type(location) of pain??

[joshmamabear]

I think the best MD to go to would be a neurologist. There may be some nerve compression on your cervical spine between C1 to C7 causing this type of pain. They can rule this out after doing several tests.

Keep us posted!

[Jen1]

I was thinking neuro as well. however, a neuro is probably going to want you to see a FP doc or internal med doc first to rule out some generalized things. Hope you feel better

I think the best MD to go to would be a neurologist. There may be some nerve compression on your cervical spine between C1 to C7 causing this type of pain. They can rule this out after doing several tests.

Keep us posted!

[cybilx10]

Yep, neurologist is the way to go. I have severe arthritis that causes the dull achey pain in my arm. DH is seeing a neuro for his shoulder too.

They can rule out pretty much anything and make sure its not your neck too

[JulieDB]

Just curious... Are you taking a statin? I was and it caused that kind of pain for me. I quit taking it and the pain went away.

[susanktz]

I take Crestor, but I've been taking it for years.

The pain only started about 2-3 months ago. But it has gotten nearly unbearable in the last 3-4 weeks.

[upinak]

1. A GP will play with your movements and can order blood test that a specialist can determine if it is an oddity or not. 2. It may not be nerve damage, but could be a bone spur, or a cyst, or a ligament that is stretched and affecting the muscle. 3. I had a friend who had a weird dull ache that she popped an advil and went on with her daily routine, and come to find out it was bone cancer.

Never take an ache for months, as it can be a problem. Go get checked.... and then go to a specialist.

[CW&M Mom]

1. A GP will play with your movements and can order blood test that a specialist can determine if it is an oddity or not. 2. It may not be nerve damage, but could be a bone spur, or a cyst, or a ligament that is stretched and affecting the muscle. 3. I had a friend who had a weird dull ache that she popped an advil and went on with her daily routine, and come to find out it was bone cancer.

Never take an ache for months, as it can be a problem. Go get checked.... and then go to a specialist.

I'm kind of thinking this line. If it's nerve pain..the thing is...a neurologist is going to take you a long time probably to get in.

Get yourself to a regular physician..because you can get into them faster. I would probably still make the appointment with the neuro if you don't end up needing it you can cancel it later...BUT Make sure it's NOT something more emergent. Get a EKG to rule out heart stuff and make sure the doc doesn't think it's the Big C word.

My mom thought she had burcitis in her hip....she did notand she let that pain go on for months. Also you may not need a referral but if the reg physician is concerned...and thinks you need to get into the neuro fast (or another specialty) she/he may be able to call and get you into that appointment faster then you can get into them KWIM?

[joshmamabear]

Depending on your insurance coverage and co-pay amount differs when you're seeing your GP/primary or a specialist,

if you don't need a referral and your co-pay amount is the same, I'd go to a specialist than a GP. Now, there are some who require that the patient sees their primary/GP first, who will then refer to a specialist if they can't handle the case, the patient pays twice for consults in this case.

[Lori63]

I have pain in my left arm-it will wake me up at night, and hurts all day. Advil helps, but I get shooting pains all the way down to my fingers when I put on my coat, take off my shirt, etc.
Of course, it's done this for 10 months or so-finally going to a GP Monday (have a few other things too)-hopefully she can tell me who to go to.
If it was my kid or cat, I would have taken them months ago. Since my hubby left in October I have started focusing on me-hopefully it's nothing major.
Good luck to you.