Help...arm pain?

R

rmehelba

New member
I am a 47 yr old femaile. I am hoping someone will recognize my symptoms and can give me some ideas. Right now I believe I have a pinched nerve in my neck. The pain began in the back of my neck and shoulder. If I tilt my head back I get a shooting pain down my arm. Right now I have constant pain in my forearm sometimes into one or more of my fingers. sometimes (most of the time) my fingertips on my hand are numb and at other times they feel like they are asleep, all tingly. I take Hydrocodone 10 mg for my lower back and sciatica but this pain is so much worse and the Hydocodone doenst help..if I take two..it does take the edge off. The only thing that did help was taking one of my husbands percocets for his extensive back problems. My Dr. ordered a neck MRI which I had last week but so far the doctor has not gotten back to me regarding the results. My next appointment is May 18th and I dont think I can go on like this much longer. I drop things and I cant turn a door knob at times or open a pop bottle. It is becoming debilitating to the point that holding a dish with that arm as I wash it is extremely painful. Again the majority of the pain is a constant pain in the forearm now that extends at times to one or more of my fingers. I also feel numbness in the fingers of my other hand and occassional shoulder pain but I can deal with that. Its the inability to use the other arm and the pain in it that is driving me crazy. I can't go on like this as my husband is disabled and I am responsible for everything, housework, garden work, taking out the trash etc. Any ideas anyone? Thanks for any input u can give.
Robin
 
Hi Robin,

Sorry you are having so much pain and difficulty. When neck problems diminish our strength/grip, it is most frustrating in addition to the pain and numbness.


I would persist with those MRI results, stressing that a month wait is too long, that your clumsiness and weakness is most disturbing, and that you need answers.

Please check out the Spinal Cord Disorders Board. It will be an enormous help to you.

Hope you get some answers and some help,
choc
 
I have done a bit more research online today..tryng to find a cause for all of this since my Dr. still did not return my call. I was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis (mild) about 10 years ago when I was showing some MS symptoms. No MS thankfully. Today I was reading about spinal stenosis causing Myelopathy which can effect your gait and balance along with the arm issues I spoke of in my earlier post. I am now thinking that this may be the problem because over the past week I have been losing my balance and needed to grab a wall for support. This has happened maybe 4 times in the last week. I will keep trying to get into my doctor but I hate not knowing what the MRI showed. I want to know what the problem is so I can rectify it.
Robin
 
Good to do the research. It can also cause a loss of feeling in other areas, and spatial awareness, including depth perception, meaning you aren't sure where your limbs/arms are exactly like before, hence, adds to the clumsiness and balance problems. Multi-tasking with hands can prove difficult, as it seems your brain 'forgets' you are carrying multiple items unless you keep your eye on them, so you might let go of things. Sound familiar at all?

They will probably want to try you on anti-inflammatory meds to see if that is part of the problem. You could be dealing with some arthritis in your neck, so if safe, you could try some over the counter meds to see if there is any minimal relief. Losing grip strength can feel pretty scary, and annoying having to use two hands to perform simple tasks.

It's possible osteophytes or discs are impinging on those nerves affecting your arms and hands, or mildly on spinal cord, in some cases.

I have been working on this situation for 7 years and is most frustrating; given your situation, you would want answers and help as soon as possible. Loss of strength doesn't seem to be something you can spare. Hopefully, you live in an area where dr's will take a 'hands on' approach.

Keep doing that research; sometimes it's our only helpful option for a time,

choc
 
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