What causes sharp stabbing pain in the arms?
Patient: Hi my mother 64 yr old caucasion woman. Smoker 40 yrs, weight 8 stone, 5.1 in height. Irish. She has no health issues that we are aware of. She has shoulder pain across her shoulders and shooting pain down both arms, pain comes at different times, it nearly catches her breathe. It only last a short period of time 30 seconds or so. Can you advise. Doctor: Hi,Thanks  for  your query.Pain in shoulders and shooting pain down both arms  is most probably due to cervical spondylitis. In this condition there is nerve compression in neck due to disc herniation in spinal canal.I would recommend her following.1.Get x ray of the neck to confirm the diagnosis.2.She need to avoid alcohol and smoking.3.Avoid keeping neck in same position for long time. Avoid using very high pillow.4.Intermittent cervical traction exercises will be helpful for you.5.Take Pregabalin M one daily a night time after discussing with her doctor.I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.Take care