Nerve Trouble

B. Graham · #1 03-01-2006, 08:47 PM

I've been experiencing, over the last few weeks, a sudden onset of numbness and tingling throughout my right arm, complete with some deep aching (deep as in it feels like the bones are aching). The numbness and tingling goes from the shoulder all the way to the fingertips.

Have any of you folks had a similar experience?

I know I've got a problem with my lumbar 5, and some arthritis in that area as well. I'm wondering it that problem is a little more widespread that originally thought.

Time to head to a doc about it, but I thought I'd check here with you folks as well.

GirlBass · #2 03-01-2006, 10:40 PM

Wow Bill, that sounds like it could be serious. You should definitely get yourself to a specialist asap.
I'm sorry I don't have anything more constructive to tell you, but I hope it isn't serious.

anonymous0726 · #3 03-02-2006, 12:02 AM

Sounds like a warning to change your evil ways, for sure. I'll let the DonOSaur preach AT to you.

B. Graham · #4 03-02-2006, 05:15 AM

Probably associated with not caring for myself years ago as a goofy punk rock kid, a mountain bike wreck or two, and general aging. I'll check my "evil ways" inventory as well to see if there are more to address. But, it kind of sucks, came on out of the blue, and is getting worse.

I'm both glad that no one has had this, but admit I was hoping a little that someone had so they could tell me it's no big deal and easy to fix.

Thanks.

G-force · #5 03-02-2006, 05:50 AM

get to an MD right away to rule out anything serious in its early stages. Numbness is nothing to wait around to get worse!!!
It's probably just muscle tension. The MD will proabably say something about a nerve pinch at C5-7 area and tension in the right trapezius muscle.
They should test you for reactions and to rule out things like MS and tumors....
I have had these symptoms and it was temporary BUT I also needed to change my whole way of moving my body...
I'm glad I got help early...
Good luck Bill

Doug Ring · #6 03-02-2006, 06:02 AM

Trapped nerve? Frozen shoulder? Both are possibilities, are very common and both will heal. You needn't go worrying about anything more sinister. Definitely take it to the doc though.

mikemulcahy · #7 03-06-2006, 08:57 PM

Is the numbness in all the fingers? Does the pain subsude with in activity or change of position?

Mike

B. Graham · #8 03-06-2006, 09:07 PM

All fingers, but more pronounced on the palm side of the fingers.

The pain sets in when my arm is bent, but hanging i.e. driving the car, sitting with elbows on my my knees, sitting at a desk, etc. The pain comes and goes. Numbness/tingling is always there in varying degrees. Playing with the bow while standing almost always immediately increases the numbness and brings on the pain.

All of the sensations illicit a mental response of just wanting separate the arm from the rest of me. It's an "unnerving" sensation.

Booked an appointment with an orthopaedic group for this Friday.

Don Higdon · #9 03-08-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Graham

I've been experiencing, over the last few weeks, a sudden onset of numbness and tingling throughout my right arm, complete with some deep aching (deep as in it feels like the bones are aching). The numbness and tingling goes from the shoulder all the way to the fingertips.

Have any of you folks had a similar experience?

I urge you to consider lessons in the Alexander Technique. AT is discussed in a thread titled "My local college is offering an Alexander Technique class this spring" in the Technique Forum. There are some major teachers right in Durham, more in Winston-Salem. I'll post again later with some sites so you can get information.

Don Higdon · #10 03-08-2006, 04:45 PM

Check out this article by an internationally known Alexander teacher from Durham. It addresses your problem.

http://www.physicaltherapy.org/arthritis/

If you want names of teachers, e-mail me.

prelims222 · #11 03-08-2006, 04:55 PM

Hey Bill,

From the sounds of it, it could be anything - maybe entrapment of the nerve at the cubital tunnel, but really any number of things could be happening (its almost never one thing unless its a bullet hole..).

You may wish to get therapy to resolve any kinds of muscle tension or adhesions of scar tissue that might be contributing to your numbness. Many times, this will solve the immediate problems (symptoms) and give you the time you need to examine what it is that is causing you trouble.

AT would probably be useful in resolving the problem (the actual cause..) as well as changing your awareness of what it is you are doing. Good luck, and PM me if you want any more info.

B. Graham · #12 03-08-2006, 08:07 PM

Thanks folks. I'll read the article and look into this.

I am not a stranger to arthritis. I've an L5 issue that was checked out a year ago or so. They found that in addition to a disc 50% the size it should be, I've got arthritis in the lower back.

The string thing to me is how this all came on so suddenly. I was driving to work, my arm goes numb and my fingertips start to tingle, and I thought "what the hell is this?".

Pizz doesn't seem to be a trigger, but arco is a trigger every time I grab the bow.

Thanks again. I'll have the othopaedic perspective Friday afternoon, unless they defer for a time by scheduling an MRI.

B. Graham · #13 03-10-2006, 08:40 PM

Orthopaedic doesn't know what the deal is. Bones look good. Sudden onset without being the result of an injury is confusing him. He stated that it may be too soon to find a target culprit, but that a little more time may expose the cause. I'll be going back in two weeks. I've got a 6 day pack of steroids to take in the meantime.

I don't recall the name of the test, but he mentioned a nerve test of some sort.

Everything went numb and tingly while I was there (I can much predict it now). My hands were in my lap and I looked down at my watch. When I did so I was rewarded with a sharp tingle/pain in my hand in the fat section between thumb and index finger that radiated up my arm into my elbow. It felt like I had stuck my finger in an electrical socket.

There it is. I'll send updates as they come in. Maybe this account will benefit someone else someday.

Marley's Ghost · #14 03-10-2006, 08:53 PM

Could be Trigger Points and/or Trigger finger. The two can be related. A good orthopedist should be able to recognize it. Do a google search on it and see what you find. Do you have trouble making a fist in that hand? If so, then it is a distint possibility.

Don Higdon · #15 03-11-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Graham

Orthopaedic doesn't know what the deal is. Bones look good. Sudden onset without being the result of an injury is confusing him. .... I've got a 6 day pack of steroids to take in the meantime.

The steroids are going to do a great job of reducing the inflammation while doing nothing to address the cause of your problem. At the risk of being preachy about this, get the hell over to Glenna Batson. She's a reknowned Alexander teacher right in Durham. There is nothing about your condition that is confusing to an Alexander teacher. Everything you have said so far tells me that your pain is coming from long-term, habitual, unconscious misuse of yourself. Because it's a habit, it feels "right". It's a long story, you should hear it from Glenna. There's not a doubt in my mind she can help you. Furthermore, there are NOcontraindications from AT. Help is right under your nose.

anonymous0726 · #16 03-11-2006, 06:33 PM

I'm with you, Don-O. I'd like to add that going through the normal medical channels is never a bad idea -- with the caveat that he ultimately checks out AT.

Rob Sleeper · #17 03-11-2006, 07:58 PM

Ya I would go to a doctor right away. A friend of mine is a nurse those are all signs of a heart attack

B. Graham · #18 03-11-2006, 08:03 PM

I thought that heart attacks were a left arm thing.

Would something like a heart attack repeat symptoms like this issue does?

Don Higdon · #19 03-12-2006, 05:35 AM

Crackers: I think it's safe to assume that if a heart attack were the issue, the doctors you have already seen would have responded accordingly.

Uncletoad · #20 03-12-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Graham

Orthopaedic doesn't know what the deal is.

This is sounding all to familiar. Been there done that Bill. Long term improper use created these issues for me too. SVT's up and down stairs at 4am, sleeping in the back of Vans on top of gear etc. I have done several things to address this.

Alexander (see Dono's stuff)
Acupuncture (with a true shaman, not a neighborhood wannbe)
Osteopathic manipulation
Periodic regular massage

Of those Alexander is by far the best long term intervention.

American medicine will either give you a pill or cut you up. That is the only modality available to most American doctors. They see no validity in anything else.

In my circumstances I worked all four intensely together in the beginning and then stayed with regular AT lessons, massage twice a month (more or less), and occasional Acupuncture to stay balanced.

That works for me.

....oh yea and bring back your dad. He's a much cooler avatar.