Paging Doctor BG

[Senoska]

I usually wouldn't make a topic here, but my situation is pretty bad and I don't have insurance to go to the doctor...

SO! With that being said, halp plox.

This area of my arm is unbelievably tender;
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5549/armlq2.jpg

I can't put any weight on my right arm, I can't lift anything, and I've been finding myself with my arm curled up when I walk. This has gotten really bad as of about four days ago, to the point it hurts to drive to school and back. I've had it for awhile but it wasn't bad at all, in fact, it only hurt when I was on the computer for extended periods of time. However, I went bowling about 4 days ago, played three games, and no big deal, however, when I got home my arm was swollen and my hand, specifically my middle finger, was fucking huge, although they might not be related.

I figured it would be carpal tunnel because I work on my computer and am generally on my computer when I'm not actually working and my keyboard is at a strange angle because of how my desk is. But I'm not sure carpal tunnel can reside this high in my arm.

What's wrong with me :<?

edit: It's not fapping too much, I use my left hand for that, don't bother posting it.

[tyven]

arent you a student? how can you have no insurance? pour some tussin on it

[Senoska]

Well, my mom recently lost her job and my dad is in the process of switching to a new company, that being said, no one has insurance. I applied for medicaid or what the fuck ever and I was denied the first time because I didn't turn in my bank statement on time (IE: They gave me two days to do it, and I had class both days, I had no chance to turn it in. By the time I got it to them[the next day] they said they closed my case.) so I reapplied but I have yet to hear anything on it.

[kuronosan]

You need to describe your symptoms a little more. Maybe this will help:

a) Are you experiencing any sort of congestion?

b) Rub the area where the pain is thoroughly (but gently) with your fingers. Do your muscles seem to pop at certain points?

c) Finally, check your blood pressure.

These should be a good start. If you say yes to one of the above:

A) Congestion could mean a flu, which has been known to cause muscle fatigue. This can also be caused by the cold (of which a strain is going around right now).

B) You need a massage for your arms because you've been over-exerting them. If touching your forearm causes pain you probably can attribute it to the writing and should seek therapy first and then get something to ease the strain on your wrist.

C) If your blood pressure is higher or lower than usual this could be a good indicator of muscle strain. High blood pressure makes it harder for the oxygen to reach your muscles and they tire faster. Low blood pressure can make you tire faster because there isn't enough sugar to synthesize ATP for your muscles to work.

You need to describe it in a little more detail.

Also Senoska, go and buy some Mentholatum (there's a brand-name gel version physical therapists have been known to use called Biofreeze which evaporates quickly but works great - the petroleum derivative is cheaper on your wallet) and rub it across your arm. Don't do anything with the arm that can further the strain until you stop 'feeling the burn'. Gently knead out the muscles on your arm and then if you still feel pain, do this again. If you still have pain afterwards then I would consult a physician.

[Mizango]

Obligatory Lupus diagnosis.

[Senoska]

Blood pressure is fine, no I'm not congested. Dunno what you mean by "pop" but it hurts like a motherfucker to touch that area with any amount of pressure.. Sorry if I can't be more specific. It's hard to describe exactly what I'm feeling.. Sorta like telling you the taste of an apple, shit be hard yo.

[tyven]

have you tried to web MD it? i dont know shit about shit but it seems like more than just a muscle straight if it hurts that much to touch it.

[Wintermute]

Have you taken any slams on it recently? Maybe pulled it doing some lifting or workouts?

[Acturus]

Describe the pain. Is it an ache, like a constant, dull throb? Is the muscle tight and do you get a sharp pain when you extend your arm? Can you localize the pain to "the muscle", or does it radiate out from a point of origin? Can you put your arm in any position that will alleviate or remove the pain?

[kuronosan]

By a pop, I mean when you touch it and gently move your fingers, your muscles move slightly and then 'pop' back into place. This is like a muscle knot.

If your arm just plain hurts when you touch it then it's obviously swollen and really tender beyond just normal muscle pains. Try what I suggested first and be careful not to aggravate it too much, and take some Aleve (actually, any Aspirin will help reduce swelling but Aleve also helps with a lot of the pain).

You probably still should go and consult a physician. Swelling can mean anything from a bruised muscle to a torn ligament or ripped tendon. It can also mean an infection (which, unless you're sick, is unlikely) or an internal injury.

My father's knee swelled up from time to time after he'd play a sport and he ended up needing orthoscopic surgery. If you had your arm at steep angles you may have put too much pressure on the short muscles of your forearm.

[Charismatic]

Certain this has something to do with lots of fapping... not sure how, but trust me, that's the cause.

[Senoska]

Certain this has something to do with lots of fapping... not sure how, but trust me, that's the cause.

Covered that.

[Senoska]

Ok, so let me try explaining a bit better. If I push on it or put any pressure on it it feels like an electric feeling down to my hand. Exactly like if I'm being shocked. If I curl my arm it feels better, or if I totally relax it it feels fine until I move again. Thanks for the quick replies, by the way.

[The Blackrose]

Obligatory Lupus diagnosis.

Obligatory "Stop masturbating so much" post.

EDIT: Damn it, missed the edit!

[Tyche]

NSAID (Ibuprofen)

RICE (Rest.Ice.Compression.Elevation)

(I have no idea what is wrong, but trying the above isn't going to kill you)

[Komm Suesser Tod]

Certain this has something to do with lots of fapping... not sure how, but trust me, that's the cause.

Jealousy, plain and simple. The right arm wasn't getting the action it wanted, so it started taking it out on you. It's always the spurned ex...

But seriously, if you take some aleve, Ibuprofen, that kind of thing, and there is no relief, then it could be bad. Also, I'd suggest something like the gel that has already been suggested, or get like a heat pack, icy hot, etc. etc. Those kinds of things do a lot for muscle pain.

Also, if there was any precipitating event, ie: one day you were moving it, lifting something, moving it, something like that, and then a sharp pain in the area that is currently effected, that could be important.

Did you used to get a similar pain in the area that would go away after you stopped what you were doing? That could be a repetitive stress injury. My friend has gotten two of those where we work. He got one in his wrist that was pretty similar to what you described. Pain, general soreness, that kind of thing. The second one was last month, his lower back, same kind of thing. It's important to understand how an injury occurred to get it treated properly.

[kuronosan]

Ok, so let me try explaining a bit better. If I push on it or put any pressure on it it feels like an electric feeling down to my hand. Exactly like if I'm being shocked. If I curl my arm it feels better, or if I totally relax it it feels fine until I move again. Thanks for the quick replies, by the way.

This sounds like a sprain. Go get yourself checked or splint your arm and lay off of it for a while. You pulled something in your arm and the 'electric feeling' is your nerves basically crying out like the people on Alderaan.

Take some ibuprofen for daytime activity, and then aleve before you go to bed at night. Get something to stabilize your arm and don't touch it or otherwise aggravate it. Probably before you wrap it you want to rub mentholatum on it to stimulate the blood vessels (which will speed up healing time) to dilate.

Give it about 4-5 days of this and if you STILL have pain upon touching it or even swelling and some sort of pain persists or at any point gets worse, go see a doctor and don't worry about insurance. You may do permanent damage which is a lot worse than overpaying.

Also, go to a clinic and not a hospital. They will charge you less.

[Dimmauk]

You might have pulled a muscle or torn a tendon while bowling. You probably didnt feel it right away, cause of drinking and bowling. Or you were using a bowling ball that was too heavy.

[Stiker]

Obligatory Lupus diagnosis.

And obligatory:

http://itsnotlup.us/notlupus.png

[Dimmauk]

And obligatory:

http://itsnotlup.us/notlupus.png

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/...0445c06d19.jpg