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Post by kkrenn on Mar 10, 2022 20:39:53 GMT
Thank you for all your answers/suggestions. I can't get in until 3/21 but hopefully he will be able to get me started on a road to relief.
I have not fallen recently. I have 2 medical devices implanted that run up my spine and end just outside of the neck area. So it might actually be a little tricky to treat the area. Fingers crossed that this can get taken care of quickly and without having to go to a lot of doctor appointments.
I appreciate all of you so much!
Let me start with:
I have an appointment scheduled to see my pain management doctor.
For the last (honestly I don't know how long) 2 weeks my left arm has been numb from the shoulder blade down the outside of the arm and numb into my pinky finger. When I touch things it's an odd electrical sensation. I just noticed a few days ago that now my left leg is also numb to my foot. The outside edge from my hip to my toes.
I have a rare nerve disorder and this could just be the disease progressing, which is freaking me out. Or (as my dh thinks) I have a massively pinched nerve somewhere. Of course my thoughts go straight to IT'S A TUMOR!
Anyway, has anyone dealt with this and if so, how did you fix it?
I'm trying not to freak out and let my imagination run away with what's left of my sanity. I have (non-military) PTSD associated with my nerve disease and going to the doctor is an enormous feat that requires my service dog, my dh, and depending on where it is (a hospital, etc) a blindfold. I am currently working with someone on learning how to handle my PTSD but it is a very slow process.
Thank you for anyone who can offer some friendly advice!
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Post by Lexica on Mar 10, 2022 21:27:03 GMT
I am so very sorry that you are having to deal with this. I'm sure it is quite scary for you. I have no answers or suggestions as to what it could be, but know that I am pulling for you! I hope your doctor is able to give you comforting advice and that the remedy for this is much less of an ordeal that you are fearing.
I myself am dealing with an odd nerve issue right now. Dr. Google says it is Meralgia paresthetica based on my symptoms of burning, numbness, and pain in my left thigh area in the front only. It is so bad that it has been preventing me from sleeping. I finally discovered a single position where the pain and burning is diminished enough to allow me to sleep and that is by laying on the opposite side with a pillow between my knees. I cannot lay on my back or opposite side and sitting up in a recliner doesn't help either.
I have a phone appointment with my doctor today with a backup in-person appointment made for later this month just in case I need to be seen by him in person. According to Dr. Google, it is a pinched femoral nerve. I don't wear tight clothing, which is one possible cause. I am over weight, which is another, and then it lists several other causes, a tumor being one of them. I refuse to believe it is a tumor though. I'm extremely focused on losing weight now and I'm currently down 19 pounds with many more to go. I just need to know if this is for sure what my issue is and how do I mitigate it until I lose enough weight to eliminate it.
I had severe numbness and tingling in my arm down to my fingers several years ago. I thought it was a wrist issue because I typed so much. It turned out to be a neck issue. I ended up needing surgery, which fixed the numbness and tingling right away. Unfortunately I waited too long to get in to see the surgeon and tried physical therapy first. By the time I saw the surgeon, he scolded me for waiting and said no amount of PT would fix my issue and that the physical therapist should have told me that. By then, my nerve was so damaged that I was left with permanent pain. The good news is that I was finally put on a time-released pain medication that has basically given me my life back to almost normal. I only have severe pain twice a day which I can lessen by taking a Vicodin an hour before the time released pill is due to wear off. I have to watch the clock closely, but other than that, I feel I got off pretty easily.
I hope that whatever nerve you have that is pinched is easily repaired. And don't put it off like I did!
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,580
Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 10, 2022 23:23:31 GMT
Lexica, I have that same problem and it really sucks. One thing I find that aggravates mine is having to stand for a long-ish time on hard floors. Unfortunately, I've had it for over 20 years and although there are times when it's worse than others, I've never gotten it to go away no matter my weight. I hope your case is different! OP, sounds like a pinched nerve to me. I'm glad you're talking with someone!
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Post by librarylady on Mar 11, 2022 2:43:27 GMT
Sounds like a pinched nerve--but then you said you have a nerve disease, so it may be related to that. Hope you can make it go away.
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Post by Lexica on Mar 11, 2022 3:16:51 GMT
Lexica , I have that same problem and it really sucks. One thing I find that aggravates mine is having to stand for a long-ish time on hard floors. Unfortunately, I've had it for over 20 years and although there are times when it's worse than others, I've never gotten it to go away no matter my weight. I hope your case is different! OP, sounds like a pinched nerve to me. I'm glad you're talking with someone! I confessed to my doctor that I googled my symptoms and expected him to chastise me. He didn’t. He asked what I found and said it was correct. And oddly, he has it too. His hasn’t progressed to the burning pain yet though. Yeah, my numbness has been around for probably 20 years too. And I weighed 125 when it started, so weight didn’t factor in at that time. The article also blamed tight pants. Hahaha. I can’t remember the last time I wore tight pants. So, I don’t know the cause of mine and neither does my doctor. He said it doesn’t affect the muscles at all so that is good. He wrote me a prescription so that I can at least get some sleep. I can take it up to three times a day if I need to. I plan to just try it at night so that I can sleep. I am a mess without enough sleep. The next step would be an injection at the nerve site. I’ve had an injection for my neck pain. My gosh did that ever hurt! It eventually felt better, but adding the steroid to an already inflamed area was so painful. I hope yours doesn’t get any worse. Oh, and if yours does, and you can’t sleep, my doctor said to lay on my side, opposite to the injured side, and put a pillow between my knees. He said that should take the pressure off the nerve and help me to sleep. I will try it tonight.
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RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,580
Jun 25, 2014 19:28:04 GMT
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Post by RosieKat on Mar 11, 2022 14:32:19 GMT
The article also blamed tight pants. Hahaha. I can’t remember the last time I wore tight pants. I'm the same way! But I have noticed that if I wear shorts that kind of bind at that area, it definitely gets aggravated. (Think like cuffed denim shorts.) I actually think I hurt mine exercising, go figure. And yeah, I've been everywhere from about 130 to, ahem, a whole lot more and while I think it helps when I weigh less, it doesn't help a whole lot. I'll bear that sleep advice in mind, thank you!
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Post by Merge on Mar 11, 2022 14:42:44 GMT
I've had symptoms like you describe - pinched nerve. It comes and goes.
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Post by malibou on Mar 11, 2022 14:54:06 GMT
I'm in the pinched nerve camp. The pain and numbness sounds like what my sister had with her pinched nerve.
With your PTSD I understand how much harder this appt will be. I've got you tucked up safely in my warmest thoughts while you get this issue resolved.
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Post by Lexica on Mar 11, 2022 16:10:08 GMT
kkrenn, when do you see your pain management specialist? I will be thinking of you on that day and sending good vibes your way.
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Post by mikewozowski on Mar 11, 2022 16:18:11 GMT
another vote for pinched nerve.
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Mar 11, 2022 16:22:27 GMT
I agree with others on a pinched nerve. My BFF just had this happen to her and she did about 4 sessions with a physio therapist and hasn't had the pain/numbness since.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 4,004
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 11, 2022 16:28:02 GMT
I agree that it is probably a pinched nerve but I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and have similar sensations when I do specific things like driving, riding a bike, holding my arm straight up. The blood doesn't flow properly and if you were to feel my pulse, it actually skips a beat on the affected hand. It also does it depending on the position of my hand when I am not doing anything but standing there. Unfortunately there isn't any real treatment other than taking out a rib which I am NOT interested in doing. It's more of an annoyance.
I hope you get some answers soon.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 11, 2022 16:44:26 GMT
I believe those map out very closely to the C8 and L5, and the sensations you’re describing match what I had with a pinched nerve. But I’m curious how you would have two pinched nerves so far apart. Did you fall fairly recently?
I’m glad you have your appointment made, and admire you for taking the necessary steps to get there!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Dec 5, 2024 4:25:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2022 22:56:44 GMT
By looking at the dermatome diagram, looks like maybe T1 for the area you are describing. Hugs, and praying you get relief soon. Nerve pain sucks. I am a sufferer.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Mar 12, 2022 15:06:52 GMT
I had cervical discectomy and bone spurs shaved in my neck. I had severe nerve pain and decreased strength and it cleared up after surgery. Before surgery I went to a physical therapist for myofascial release and it really helped. What it also did was helped me with muscle tension. That reinforced that I really did need the surgery by relaxing the muscle and being able to feel the joint pain separately.
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Post by worrywart on Mar 12, 2022 15:18:21 GMT
I've had similar problems when I had a bulging disc in my neck. I did exercises and physical therapy which helped it calm down eventually. I hope you feel better soon!
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,097
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Mar 12, 2022 15:43:13 GMT
My guess is a disk or bony growth in your neck impinging on a nerve. I had disc issues from being rear ended. Both sides. Numbness, tingling and electrical shocks to my fingers and toes. Lots of PT and injections and time reversed it.
Since you have a nerve disease, it could be that. But, maybe not. It might be easily fixable.
I wish you courage to explore this.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 13, 2022 0:12:04 GMT
I had cervical discectomy and bone spurs shaved in my neck. I had severe nerve pain and decreased strength and it cleared up after surgery. Before surgery I went to a physical therapist for myofascial release and it really helped. What it also did was helped me with muscle tension. That reinforced that I really did need the surgery by relaxing the muscle and being able to feel the joint pain separately. I have also had myofascial release (highly recommend PT rather than massage therapist) and it made a world of difference for me, also for a joint issue. @kkren if that is suggested for you I highly recommend it. Hope your appointment goes well and you get relief soon. And if you need to post to vent/get encouragement before you go in we are here for you!
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Post by scrappintoee on Mar 13, 2022 2:43:20 GMT
I have 2 medical devices implanted that run up my spine and end just outside of the neck area Aside from your rare nerve disease, and possibly newly pinched nerve(s), has your doctor ever mentioned that your implanted devices could possibly cause all these new symptoms? Since you have those devices, I wonder if your doctor could send you for X-rays (or ultrasound, etc.) to be sure the device(s) haven't gotten misplaced? Also, I'm sorry it's so difficult to go to your appointments! But it's great that you have your DH, service dog, blindfold, and that you're getting treatment for your PTSD. there isn't any real treatment other than taking out a rib which I am NOT interested in doing. Wow! I've never heard of this! I wouldn't be interested in that, either!
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 13, 2022 4:55:56 GMT
We switched mattresses last week and my husband's numb hand suddenly has stopped being numb. Crazy solution to something he thought was much worse.
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Post by kkrenn on Mar 14, 2022 2:28:34 GMT
I have 2 medical devices implanted that run up my spine and end just outside of the neck area Aside from your rare nerve disease, and possibly newly pinched nerve(s), has your doctor ever mentioned that your implanted devices could possibly cause all these new symptoms? Since you have those devices, I wonder if your doctor could send you for X-rays (or ultrasound, etc.) to be sure the device(s) haven't gotten misplaced? Also, I'm sorry it's so difficult to go to your appointments! But it's great that you have your DH, service dog, blindfold, and that you're getting treatment for your PTSD. there isn't any real treatment other than taking out a rib which I am NOT interested in doing. Wow! I've never heard of this! I wouldn't be interested in that, either! I am concerned for scar tissue build up but I don't think that's it. I've had each device for more than 5 years and the largest part is in my lower back and lower abdomen and the catheters or leads are so miniscule that it's not the likely culprit. He will do a live scan to check placements and then we'll go from there. I'm really hoping it will be some physical therapy and nothing surgical. I truly love and appreciate all of the support, it's really hard to be so vulnerable. There are only a very small number of people who are aware of how bad it is and I try so very hard to keep the cracks from showing.
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