Ask the Nurse

I sleep on my right shoulder and for the past few months I have been feeling pain from the elbow to my thumb. Lately the pain has spread to my other 3 fingers(index, middle and the ring finger). I have tried not to sleep on my side but it also hurts during the day time when I am doing something with my arm bent, like brushing my teeth or holding a book. I feel pain and numbness of the hand (fingers). The doctor told me to take Ibuprofen but my questions is, will this pain and numbness go away by taking the Ibuprofen?


It is very likely that it will go away, but if not then you will have to be re-evaluated. Sometimes there is a temporary inflammation in the muscle causing it and once it goes down with Ibuprofen you start feeling better, but you should at least give it 7-10 days to notice any recovery from pain and numbness.

All My Best,
Speaking of Women's Health Nurse

August 4, 2011 at 4:00pm