Hi everyone. this is my first time writing on this particular board. I have had this wierd problem in my (mostly) left hand that has occured only about 3 times in total. I get this strange burning sensation on my palm which then goes down my forearm. It lasts for a couple of days then disappears and leaves no other symptoms after it's gone. It mainly occurs in my left hand, though I am a righty. And it really hurts. It feels like when you fall and scrape your skin and there is a major sensitivity to touch. Anyone ever experience this????

I have been a dental hygienist for 20 yrs and I never had any problems with carpal tunnel syndrome. I know this can be an occupational hazard for me.

Anyway, I finally went to a neurologist today for this problem and some other "wierd" thing happening in my left foot (tingling). The good news is the Dr. didn't think there was anything seriously wrong. He thinks my hand issue is carpal tunnel syndrome, which I know almost nothing about. (that's what you guys r for!) Anyhow, he wants me to have an EMG done .. Ouch!

OKay, so does this EMG hurt. I really don't want pain.. but I do want to know why my hands burn and my feet tingle!!

The EMG is unpleasant at best. I just had a second one done, because the first was administered incorrectly (it was a different place). While I can tolerate it - it really is uncomfortable to say the least. Having said that, if your doctor thinks it is necessary by all means have it done. It's the only way to really access what is going on with nerve related problems. We're still trying to fully figure out what my story is - we know ulnar nerve in the right arm, but I have the same thing in the left and it may not be the that - it may be a pinched nerve in my neck. I'm waiting for full results (had it done again yesterday). Also seeing a neurosurgeon to help make a decision/get another opinion about what to do. My orthpedist was leaning towards surgery (but not pushing it by any means) but my neurologist disagrees.

Good luck with your situation!

Please elaborate on the discomfort. I want to be fully prepared!!!!

Well, since you asked. I almost think it's better not to know because the first time I found it more bearable. The 2nd time, I was anticipating the discomfort prior and knew what to expect - I think it may have heighened it for me.

The test has a couple of parts where they hook you up electronically to get measurements of how fast or slow impulses are sent through the muscles/nerves (which? I forget - I'm no expert LOL Some else would be able to clarify much better than I).

The first part is when they send electric shocks through. It makes your muscles jump, rather violently at times. Usually done 1 shock at a time which is tolerable, however, sometimes they send through a stream of 4-8 of them, which I found to be very painful but not bad enough for me to call it quits LOL.

The second part of the testing they use very tiny needles and insert them into the muscles - sort of like acupuncture size. Some didn't bother me at all - other's were quite painful - where I seemed to have extra sensitivity. The outside portion of my right hand was very painful - so much so that I actually had tears come to my eyes. It was the one moment in the test where I thought I may pass out. Good thing I have a sense of humor - as I needed it to keep me afloat through this. Made the doctor more comfortable too, as I know he realized it was causing me distress.

But, you get through it. All I kept thinking is there are people out there in more pain than I, enduring much worse testing on a more regular basis. I'm not a huge complainer in general - but I do know many people who found this very difficult to endure - other's (like me) manage to get through it without too much of a problem (tho it sounds like it when written down LOL).

Anyway, please don't let this scare you off - it's the definitive test for these problems and you'll never know for sure unless you go through it.

Good luck!

Thanks. that actually helped. One last thing. I was wondering if the test is done the same for everyone or do they gear those needles and zaps to the specific areas you complain about???

Like, will they only zap my left foot and my left hand, or do they do every muscle in there???

They will only zap the areas which are your complaints and, any neighboring areas which might be causing the problem. For instance, I have numbness in my hands as my main complaint, so they did the fingers where the numbness is and the arms, because that is where the problem is originating.

What did it turn out to be??? I forgot to mention, I have some tingling in my left foot and for a couple of days, I even had a wierd twitchy thing in one toe.
Very upsetting!

I'm still waiting for complete results. I know for sure that I have cubital tunnel in my right, but the left is still a bit of a mystery. May be cubital tunnel combined with a pinched nerve in my neck. I asked the neurologist to send the test results to my orthopedist (I have an appointment with him Tuesday) and to me, if possible.

I also have problems with twitchy things happening - in my arms mostly but in other areas of my body which obviously have nothing to do with the cubital tunnel. I have no underlying reasons for these happenings - I'm relatively healthy otherwise.

Keep me posted on your situation - I'll keep you posted on mine :-)

I will!!!
I just hope I don't chicken out of the EMG. I'm supposed to have it on the 20th or 21st of Oct.

Don't chicken out!

I don't know about you, but I can't live not knowing. I even had a nightmare last week where I woke up screaming, over and over "HAND! HAND! HAND! HAND! HAND!". I totally freaked my husband out LOL. The dream was my hand fell off and was floating around in the air. Pretty funny huh?

that must mean you are thinking a lot about your hand!!
Well, thanks for the encouragement. I will try not to cancel the appt.!

Hi there,
I wanted to share some details for the original poster, and everyone else of course.

I have gone through a slew of doctors and have recently learned that the new, (more accurate and no pain) EMG test is called a PSSD for Pressure Specified Sensory Device. You want a nerve/neuro/plastic surg. specialist for this level of knowledge and regular insurance will pay.

I have numbness, tingling, swelling and muscle pain associated with arms and feet. I'm fit, don't smoke (though my mother was an indoor smoker) but this sort of global nerve damage is usually diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy and it often occurs as a signal to onset of diabetes and other such complications thouth the Mayo clinic and other good sources are clear on explaining that it's not unusual not to find the underlying symptom.

I've found that regardless of if/when you choose to have surgery or if you are able to find out why your life is being overtaken that the important thing is letting your doctors know how important it is to you that they collaborate and really manage your health---if they don't rise to the expectation and you feel constantly aggravated over the level of care then you need to find good doctors.

Best to all,
Gabrielle