I'm 38 years old, suffering with hypothyroidism (damaged thyroid due to autoimmune problem), high blood pressue and acid reflux. Three months ago I developed considerable, constant numbness in the ends of all my figers (although thumbs and forefingers worst), very sharp pain in both elbows, much worse if I try and rotate or straighten my arm, pains in knees and my calf muscles.

I am also awakened several nights a week around 3am feeling like both hands are on fire?

My GP diagnosed me as having CTS due to thyroid and referred me to the thyroid specialist. Just seen him and he dismissed the idea (in that lovely, condesending way specialists talk) - said it was a nerve problem unrelated to thyroid and now I'm waiting to see a neurologist, which may take up to six months.

I have also suffered with neck pains and tightness for around a year - which seeing a physio did not help. When I rotate my head left and right I can actually hear it grinding!

My question really is could this be CTS? I thought CTS was wrists (like repetitive strain injury). Could someone explain a little more to me?

Sorry for the long, boring post but I'd appreciate any feedback that can help me understand what might be happening and what I can do aout it whlist waiting for the NHS! Thank you.

I'm 38 years old, suffering with hypothyroidism (damaged thyroid due to autoimmune problem), high blood pressue and acid reflux. Three months ago I developed considerable, constant numbness in the ends of all my figers (although thumbs and forefingers worst), very sharp pain in both elbows, much worse if I try and rotate or straighten my arm, pains in knees and my calf muscles.

I am also awakened several nights a week around 3am feeling like both hands are on fire?

My GP diagnosed me as having CTS due to thyroid and referred me to the thyroid specialist. Just seen him and he dismissed the idea (in that lovely, condesending way specialists talk) - said it was a nerve problem unrelated to thyroid and now I'm waiting to see a neurologist, which may take up to six months.

I have also suffered with neck pains and tightness for around a year - which seeing a physio did not help. When I rotate my head left and right I can actually hear it grinding!

My question really is could this be CTS? I thought CTS was wrists (like repetitive strain injury). Could someone explain a little more to me?

Sorry for the long, boring post but I'd appreciate any feedback that can help me understand what might be happening and what I can do aout it whlist waiting for the NHS! Thank you.

Simon - Do a search for *carpel tunnel syndrome* using any of your search engines, and you could read alot more about it than I could write here. I would copy and paste here, but at the moment I don't know if this is allowed...and I'm too tired to reread this boards' rules--sorry.

Marlene

Hi Simon
Sorry to hear about all your problems. Your thyroid man wasn't exactly helpful was he? There is indeed a link between CTS & Thyroid problems but I don't know all the ins & outs I'm afraid. It certainly sounds as though you have some kind of nerve entrapment somewhere between the neck & wrist, maybe even more than one.

People with CTS usually get symptoms in the thumb, index, middle & ring fingers because that's the ones that the median nerve supplies. Usually the nerve is trapped at the wrist. In Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CUTS) the ulnar nerve is affected. That one supplies your ring & pinky fingers & usually gets trapped at the elbow. I've had surgery for CTS & now have CUTS. I've met GP's who have never even heard of it!

Not sure about your neck. Did you injure it at any time & have you had the problem since before the thyroid one. The physio might be able to help you meantime, before you eventually see a neurologist. They can give you free splints to help stop your wrists from bending. Best worn during the night to prevent the night time 'hands on fire' stuff. Vitamin B6 might be worth a go, also Bromelain & Papain which is a good natural anti-inflammatory.

When you see the neurologist he/she will probably send you for some tests. Check out NCV/EMG testing on google. Don't hold your breath though. Our NHS lottery may mean you have to wait even more months to get these tests after seeing the specialist.

Good luck!
Lidia
:)

I'm 38 years old, suffering with hypothyroidism (damaged thyroid due to autoimmune problem), high blood pressue and acid reflux. Three months ago I developed considerable, constant numbness in the ends of all my figers (although thumbs and forefingers worst), very sharp pain in both elbows, much worse if I try and rotate or straighten my arm, pains in knees and my calf muscles.

I am also awakened several nights a week around 3am feeling like both hands are on fire?

My GP diagnosed me as having CTS due to thyroid and referred me to the thyroid specialist. Just seen him and he dismissed the idea (in that lovely, condesending way specialists talk) - said it was a nerve problem unrelated to thyroid and now I'm waiting to see a neurologist, which may take up to six months.

I have also suffered with neck pains and tightness for around a year - which seeing a physio did not help. When I rotate my head left and right I can actually hear it grinding!

My question really is could this be CTS? I thought CTS was wrists (like repetitive strain injury). Could someone explain a little more to me?

Sorry for the long, boring post but I'd appreciate any feedback that can help me understand what might be happening and what I can do aout it whlist waiting for the NHS! Thank you.

When I was reading your post, I was thinking how similar your story is to mine. Do you have Hashimoto's Disease or Graves Disease? I have Hashimoto's Disease. I also have CuTS (most docs call it ulnar nerve entrapment). I've been experiencing symptoms of CTS too. I have 3 bulging discs and a herniated disc in my c-spine due to a car accident. The noise in your neck sounds like you may have arthritis. Have you had an MRI?
Have you been tested for other autoimmune disorders? Fibromyalgia?
Barb

Thanks for the info - very helpful.

Barb - I have Hashimoto's and have had a couple of l-spine disk bulges over the years, initially in my teens (from doing Judo) and a couple of times as an adult. I've never had an injury to my neck, although I did have clicky-hips as a baby and osgoodslatters disease as a teenager.

I havn't been tested for any other autoimmune diseases or had an MRI. My GP seems set on anything wrong with me being all idividual and not in any way linked (i.e. my thyroid problems are unrelated to my panic attacks, my putting on a stone in two months has nothing to do with my new panic medication, etc).

My wife says I should consider going private, so I can jump the huge queues and get some answers soon, even if we have to put it on credit cards - trouble is, who would I see? A neurologist, or someone who specialises in bones?

Have you been to the thyroid message board yet? If you haven't (sorry, can't remember if I saw you there). If you haven't been there, there's a great information archive at the top of the page.
As far as what kind of doctor you should see first-an endocrinologist is probably your best bet. Getting on the right thyroid hormone replacement and the right dosage can be tricky. Many doctors don't actually know how to correctly interpret the lab ranges for thyroid disease and many labs still go by very outdated ranges. Getting the right blood tests and getting on the right dosage of meds is crucial to your health since the thyroid gland affects every single cell in your body.
Now getting your thyroid meds to the optimal level for you will not cure your numbness and everthing else. But it can help aleviate it.
I still have numbness and tingling sometimes but not as bad as before.
Please check the thyroid board. It's been an immense help to me.
Barb