HomeAnswersInternal Medicinecarpal tunnel syndromeWhat can cause arm pain particularly after sleep?

What can cause arm pain particularly after sleep?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 4, 2016
Reviewed AtJune 28, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 23-year-old male, student. I have had severe pain in my right arm for the past 12 hours. There is no other accompanying symptom. I had encountered the same problem a couple of times in the past. The pain starts suddenly mostly after sleep. What to do?

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. This could be coming from the nerve being compressed or irritated in your neck, shoulder or arm pit. I would highly suggest changing the position in which you sleep. In order to help you better please tell me whether the pain starts from your shoulder or arm pit and moves down or just the arm. Do you feel any numbness or pins and needles? Do you have a history of fall, trauma or shoulder and neck injury? Did you experience the pain every day morning or after a nap? Do you feel any weakness in your right hand or arm? It could be cervical disc radiculopathy, saturday night palsy (radial nerve compression), or rotator cuff tear or sprain.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

The pain is just in the arm and hand. It is more in the hand. There is no numbness. I do not have any history of serious injury. This pain comes at some odd day not after each nap or sleep. Yes, I have some weakness in my right hand.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I think you are having carpal tunnel syndrome. Less likely to be coming from neck or shoulder injury. Are you an athlete or long time computer user? Even a small work that involves using your hands and wrists can make it worse. Do a nerve conduction study of the right arm and an x-ray of the cervical spine. Less likely, but cervical spondylitis is also a possibility. Use a wrist splint and wrist brace. Wear it for at least 8-10 hours a day. Take Cataflam (Diclofenac 50 mg) three times a day as needed for pain. It may take up to four to eight weeks for you to get some improvement.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Internal Medicine

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Internal Medicine

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy