Extreme pain in both arms, my hands are swollen and go numb. if kept elevated, i get pins & needles feeling in them. is this serious? what will help?

Possibilities: Most common cause could well be carpal tunnel syndrome;i.e., compression of median nerves at wrist. But the response to elevation might raise concerns regarding thoracic outlet syndrome, a brachial plexus compression bilaterally. This is best evaluated and confirmed on EMG testing, which will lead to treatment and likely symptom reversal.