Shooting pain down my right arm, what to do?

Arm pain: Shooting pain is often due to a pinched nerve in the neck. You need proper evaluation by a neurologist or pain physician. In the mean time, avoid looking down for long periods. Use a soft collar as a reminder not to flex your neck too much.

See your doctor: for a physical exam and imaging which may or may not show nerve impingement secondary to degenerative processes in the disks or vertebrae of your neck.

Evaluate Neck: If you are not improving have your doctor order a cervical spine mri. Many times a herniated disc in the neck can cause arm pain especially if you have not improved with the medications and physical therapy. If it is a herniated disc you may need evaluation from a spine specialist to determine what other options might be needed (injections, surgery, etc) to help reduce pain.

Arm pain: Most important to find out why you have the arm pain. It could be several different things. If it is chronic or long standing, it should be worked up. Your doctor will consider nerve trauma, nerve irritation, disc herniation, spinal pathology, nerve entrapment, neuropathy, vascular problems, heart issues, metabolic disturbances and many other conditions. Best to find out and treat the source!

See doctor: Try conservative measures like physical therapy. Neuropathic medications are better than opiates. If it does not resolve you may need to see an interventional pain physician or a surgeon.