Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hello... I am wondering if anyone else has had this symptom. I have left arm pain. it starts in my shoulder and aches throughout arm. not just the joints but the forarm ect... as well. Can RA affect the arm in between the joints? I am worried because it could be heart related... any thoughts?
Now that I have said that.... I do have pain in my left arm and it goes all the way to my hand sometimes. Like you said it feels like it is all through the arm... well mine is from my neck... I have a pinched nerve in my neck that gives me fits and yes my doctor said it is from RA of the neck. So it is nerve pain radiating down my arm.
I hope you do call your doctor to see what they think. I would not want anyone to put of any pain that might be related to their heart. Take care and keep us posted.
I say get it checked out too.
But that being said, women's symptoms don't present the same as men's for a heart attack. The signs aren't near as pronounced. My grandmother had 4 before she even knew she had one. She found out about the 4 during her hospitalization for her 5th. They saw the damage during testing. Its mostly a heavy feeling on the chest as the most predominant symptom. She said it felt like an elephant on her chest. In any event, if anyone feels symptoms that aren't right including down the arm or chest pain definitely get checked out by a doctor
The answer to your other question, yes RA can affect the tendons, ligaments and muscles not just the joints. As I understand it, all are covered with a sheath of synovial fluid. Mine typically tighten up around an affected joint. And as carrotop said, any nerve impingement in the neck area will cause issues with your upper extremities too. That can be pain or more of a tingly numb sensation as far down as your fingers. Low back issues will cause the same down into your toes. At the moment, I have two toes that are completely numb because of nerve issues in my low back.
I'm not a Dr and don't quote me on anything. I've just had a lot of muscle and tendons issues lately along with spine problems causing numbness into my arms & legs/toes. My neurologist is probably sick of seeing me to tell you the truth.
Take care & let us know what the doctor had to say.
Emerald