Question
QUESTION: hi doctor,im really worried about my right arm. i just have a baby 5 weeks ago. i breastfeed her so she's always in my arms, but i use more the left arm for that matter...im always carrying her and it's been 2 weeks that im sleeping on the couch and her on my chest...the pain is constant but worst at night and in the morning...my fingers feel numb i can't make a fist in the morning,, my wrist, shoulder...everything hurt, but i can move my arm normaly, it's just the pain who is still there...i think about all the i.v , the epidural...i really don't know what to do...im very healthy, i gain 28 pounds during my pregnancy i almost lost it all...im 5 feet 7 and i weight 110 pounds...i really worried and it hurts...
thank you for answering me.

ANSWER: Hi NAFI,

First, have you ever injure your right arm before?

Do you notice if you sleep on your right side?  

Any activities that make the right arm painful or more painful?  (specific movements or usage)

What type of pain is it?  (sharp, dull, ache, pulling, stabbing, tingling...etc.)

When did the pain started?  

Please get back to me with those question and I will be able to give you my opinion.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi doctor, thank you for answering me that fast...i never have any injury in my arm, the only thing i can think of is the fact that i have a baby, im always carrying her, i sleep on the couch, i have lift some bag from shopping but nothing really that heavy....my husband told me that when i had my first child 2 years ago, i was complaining about my arm...he thinks that its due to the fact that im always carrying my daughter, and like i said im very thin...i speak french so im not really sure about the words i should use about the type of pain...i think sharp, ache...and my hand : tingling definetly, at night and in the morning the tingling wake me up, i can't make a fist, it's like when your hand is asleep but it can be there for like 30 mn...and all day long i have pain in my shoulder, upper arm, arm, wrist, hand... the pain started 7 to 8 days ago...i don't really sleep in only one side, i fleep, and it seems like more i use the left side, when i breastfeed and stuff, the more it hurts. so now i use more my right arm...

Answer
Hi NAFI,

It sounds like you are having circulation issue of the right shoulder area.  This may explains about the tingling and numbness you experience especially in the morning and at night time.  The pain may indicate the tissue or muscles at the shoulder area being injured or tight which restrict the blood flow to the arm and fingers.  There are nerves running from the neck to the shoulder and down the arm.  When there is a pinch of the nerve, it will produce pain.  Imagine a garden hose with running water (which is like your nerve sending signal to the arm).  If there is a kink in the hose, then the water won't flow throw and pressure will build up at the kink.  This will produce pain and numbness if affect the blood vessels.  

My suggestion is to do some stretch of the right arm and shoulder.  Also reduce activities that involve raising the arm over your head. You can also use heat to the shoulder area and see if that reduce the pain and increase circulation. If this does not resolve the issue, then I suggest visiting a chiropractor office for a complete check up.