Aug 3, 2011 7 min read

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had a burning sensation in the upper part of my left arm for about five or six years. It came and went for a while, and sometimes months passed without it happening. Recently the sensation has worsened, and I experience it daily. I have noticed that the burning is similar to that of heartburn but hotter (I have had a lot of heartburn lately). The arm burning lasts only a second or two and feels as if someone has lit a match in my arm and quickly blown it out. I have also started to have a slight tingling in my left hand and fingers.

I have been to two doctors for it, but they are at a loss as to what is causing it. Neither one referred me to a specialist. I have not had any injuries to my arm, shoulder or hand. I do have some arthritis pain in my hand and fingers.

Other than vitamins, the only medicine I take is Xalatan for glaucoma. I had the burning long before I found out I had glaucoma. Aside from occasional hot flashes and the glaucoma, I am pretty healthy. I am a 51-year-old black female, premenopausal, 121 pounds and 5 feet 6 inches. Can you please help?

DEAR READER: My first thought on reading your letter is nerve impingement, likely from your spine. The nerves of the spinal cord that run through the vertebrae of your neck can often lead to arm tingling, burning and weakness. It can vary from mild to severe, and the sensations may come and go or become chronic. Typically as the impingement worsens, the pain or weakness worsens, and each episode lasts longer or becomes persistent. Over time, if left untreated, permanent damage may result.

Another possibility is your Xalatan. Chest pain, angina, and muscle/joint and back pain are known side effects. Chest pain can often be confused with heartburn and can radiate to the arm. But I think this is unlikely in your case.

Heart problems can also result in chest, arm and hand pain. This commonly occurs on the left side and can resemble a muscle ache or heartburn. If you have a strong family or personal history of heart trouble, particularly if combined with hypertension and/or high cholesterol, this may be a possibility.

The most likely cause is coming from your neck or back. You already have arthritis in your hands, so you may also have it in your spine as well. Arthritis, aging, and/or degenerative changes to the spine can easily explain your symptoms.

Return to your physician to discuss this possibility and request further testing, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI. Blood work should also be ordered if you haven’t had any recently. Depending on the results of your blood work and imaging tests, seeing a neurologist (nerve and brain specialist), orthopedist (bone and joint specialist) or cardiologist (heart specialist) may be beneficial to determine the cause of you burning arm and to provide appropriate treatment.

Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title, or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf.

Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.

If readers want to contact Dr. Gott, they may write to him at his website, or send their mail directly to Dr. Gott, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106. However, if readers want to request a newsletter, they should write to the Connecticut address listed above.

(For editorial questions, please contact Alan McDermott at amcdermott@amuniversal.com.)

COPYRIGHT 2011 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE I

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had a burning sensation in the upper part of my left arm for about five or six years. It came and went for a while, and sometimes months passed without it happening. Recently the sensation has worsened, and I experience it daily. I have noticed that the burning is similar to that of heartburn but hotter (I have had a lot of heartburn lately). The arm burning lasts only a second or two and feels as if someone has lit a match in my arm and quickly blown it out. I have also started to have a slight tingling in my left hand and fingers.

I have been to two doctors for it, but they are at a loss as to what is causing it. Neither one referred me to a specialist. I have not had any injuries to my arm, shoulder or hand. I do have some arthritis pain in my hand and fingers.

Other than vitamins, the only medicine I take is Xalatan for glaucoma. I had the burning long before I found out I had glaucoma. Aside from occasional hot flashes and the glaucoma, I am pretty healthy. I am a 51-year-old black female, premenopausal, 121 pounds and 5 feet 6 inches. Can you please help?

DEAR READER: My first thought on reading your letter is nerve impingement, likely from your spine. The nerves of the spinal cord that run through the vertebrae of your neck can often lead to arm tingling, burning and weakness. It can vary from mild to severe, and the sensations may come and go or become chronic. Typically as the impingement worsens, the pain or weakness worsens, and each episode lasts longer or becomes persistent. Over time, if left untreated, permanent damage may result.

Another possibility is your Xalatan. Chest pain, angina, and muscle/joint and back pain are known side effects. Chest pain can often be confused with heartburn and can radiate to the arm. But I think this is unlikely in your case.

Heart problems can also result in chest, arm and hand pain. This commonly occurs on the left side and can resemble a muscle ache or heartburn. If you have a strong family or personal history of heart trouble, particularly if combined with hypertension and/or high cholesterol, this may be a possibility.

The most likely cause is coming from your neck or back. You already have arthritis in your hands, so you may also have it in your spine as well. Arthritis, aging, and/or degenerative changes to the spine can easily explain your symptoms.

Return to your physician to discuss this possibility and request further testing, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI. Blood work should also be ordered if you haven’t had any recently. Depending on the results of your blood work and imaging tests, seeing a neurologist (nerve and brain specialist), orthopedist (bone and joint specialist) or cardiologist (heart specialist) may be beneficial to determine the cause of you burning arm and to provide appropriate treatment.

Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title, or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf.

Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.

If readers want to contact Dr. Gott, they may write to him at his website, or send their mail directly to Dr. Gott, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106. However, if readers want to request a newsletter, they should write to the Connecticut address listed above.

(For editorial questions, please contact Alan McDermott at amcdermott@amuniversal.com.)

COPYRIGHT 2011 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE I