HomeAnswersInternal Medicinevitamin d deficiencyWhat is the reason for mild pain in the upper back and around the arm?

Is it possible to have a vitamin D deficiency in spite of taking supplements?

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

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Published At August 6, 2017
Reviewed AtJanuary 21, 2022

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 31 year old male. For about two weeks or more, I have been experiencing a mild nonspecific pain in my upper body. It is mostly at the upper back, at the center and slightly towards the right. At times, it occurs in the middle and lower back, at the sides, behind the right upper arm, and occasionally around the chest and right collarbone. Mostly it is in the upper back at the center and slightly towards the right. The pain is mild and not at all severe or crippling. The feeling is sometimes of little stiffness, and sometimes a throbbing or pounding. I do not feel any trouble in doing my usual chores.

I have a habit of examining my body, pressing here and there to feel anything unusual and on one such occasion, I had found a couple of places on my chest which was painful when pressed deeply, but I do not feel anything unusual under the skin. In fact, several months ago, I had found a couple of other places on the sides which were painful when pressed deeply. I have a desk job, though I get up and move around quite regularly. I do not remember having any injury. I have never had any major accident. My queries are, what may be the possible causes and could they be serious? And, is there any chance this has any connection with lungs? I do not have any breathing difficulty and do not feel any pain or anything unusual while deep breathing. In fact, I have a habit of walking, and only a couple of days ago, I had walked 4 km at a stretch without any extra effort or discomfort. Please advice.

Hello,

I went through your detailed post. The predominant complaint is a mild pain in the upper back and around the arm.

  • The character of the pain and the pain on applying pressure at some points makes it a musculoskeletal pain. That means that the internal organs are not involved. There are two possibilities:
  1. Cervical spondylosis is a strong possibility as you have a desk job. A proper posture is important to prevent and treat spondylosis if you already have it.
  2. Musculoskeletal pain can occur in vitamin D deficiency, and I would suggest you test your vitamin D levels.

If these possibilities are excluded by investigations and a clinical examination, then a chest X-ray is warranted.

Regards.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the prompt response. I had indeed tested Vitamin D deficient last year. It was 12.5. As prescribed by my GP, I had taken Uprise D3 60K once a week for three months. I remember having a non-specific back pain that time too, for which I had consulted my GP and he had suggested the vitamin D test. But, since I took the medicines as stated above, is it possible that I am still vitamin D deficient?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

  • I think a person who was vitamin D deficient the in past, should continue the vitamin D sachets for at least two months unless he is getting a good exposure of sunlight every day. And yes, there is a possibility of vitamin D deficiency despite supplementation in the past.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://icliniq.com./ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

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

Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey
Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Rheumatology

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