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What Causes Pain In Arm With History Of Pulmonary Embolism?
Question: Hi, I am a 28 year old male, and a year ago I had 2 pulmonary embolisms while laying in a hospital bed from pnemonia. I have recovered and in September my doctors took me off Xarelto. Last night while using the bathroom my left arm had a sharp pain in it, it felt like someone stabbed a big needle in my bicep and it eventually went away. Later that night I felt the same pain in my left wrist on the side of my thumb. Today at work I have felt it each time I have used the restroom and "strained" as you do when passing waste. Could this be a blood clot issue or issue with my heart? I don't seem to have any other symptoms.
Brief Answer:
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
indicative of a blood clot but since you do have a history I think this is something you should investigate with your primary care physician.
Your doctor might perform a physical examination and possibly check additional studies to see if there might be increased blood clotting going on. A lab test called D-Dimer can be requested and if this test is elevated it might indicate that you may have something going on and then your doctor can perform additional studies such as ultrasound or maybe CT scan of the chest.
More than likely this is just a musculoskeletal spasm but since you have the history of blood clots it is worthy of investigation by your doctor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Consideration
Detailed Answer:
indicative of a blood clot but since you do have a history I think this is something you should investigate with your primary care physician.
Your doctor might perform a physical examination and possibly check additional studies to see if there might be increased blood clotting going on. A lab test called D-Dimer can be requested and if this test is elevated it might indicate that you may have something going on and then your doctor can perform additional studies such as ultrasound or maybe CT scan of the chest.
More than likely this is just a musculoskeletal spasm but since you have the history of blood clots it is worthy of investigation by your doctor.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I haven't had the pain again, but I stretched my neck to the right and felt a muscle or knot pop in my left shoulder close to where I had the pain. Could it have been due to the straining? I had a rhizotomy 3 weeks ago L3 through L5 because of muscle spasms all over my limbs and back and neck pain. And my body has been popping ever since.
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
it may well be due to straining.
keep an eye on the symptoms
and if they recur or worsen I think it would be reasonable to visit with your medical doctor.
dr Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
it may well be due to straining.
keep an eye on the symptoms
and if they recur or worsen I think it would be reasonable to visit with your medical doctor.
dr Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, I know I have stress due to my hospital stay, and I worry a lot right now. I will call my doctor in the morning just to be safe. Are there any other tests I should ask about?
Brief Answer:
Considerations.
Detailed Answer:
nothing else that I can think of.
again - most likely you are absolutely fine.
take care.
dr g
Considerations.
Detailed Answer:
nothing else that I can think of.
again - most likely you are absolutely fine.
take care.
dr g
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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