Why do I have muscle pain in my left arm and right shoulder?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a male, 5.5 feet tall and weighing 165 pounds. I am currently on medication for hypertension and type 2 diabetes. I take Nebivolol, Irbesartan, Teneligliptin, Dapagliflozin, Finasteride for prostate issues, and Rosuvastatin.

I currently have persistent muscle pain in my left arm and right shoulder. I have taken medication for muscle pain, but it has not resolved. What should I do?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for sharing your concern.

What I can tell you is that, given your age and medical history, pain in the left arm should be considered a possible symptom of myocardial ischemia (angina pectoris). Diabetes can cause the symptoms of ischemia to be more subtle or atypical. For this reason, I recommend that you go to a hospital so they can examine you, perform an electrocardiogram, and measure cardiac enzymes, purely as a precaution.

On the other hand, if the pain also involves the right shoulder, it is more likely to be muscular or joint-related. This should be especially considered if the pain worsens with certain movements or positions, or when pressure is applied to the affected areas. In that case, management would include pain relievers, avoiding exertion, and possibly physical therapy to relieve the discomfort.

I recommend that you have these tests done for greater peace of mind, although it is most likely nothing serious. Let us hope that is the case.

I send you my warm regards, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I hope everything turns out well.

Thank you.