LindyNEvan
01-27-2009, 12:23 AM
I am desperately trying to find out if ANYONE who has had a compressed ulnar nerve has my symptoms. I have been through the ringer the past 4 months trying to get dx’ed with SOMETHING so I can have relief. I have been to 2 orthopaedic docs and a neurologist. SO far, no relief.
My symptoms started as tingling in my 4th and 5th fingers of my left hand. Namely when I was holding my arm up, say to talk on the phone. Let me add I am left handed as well. Which just adds to the problems. Within the next week or 2, I noticed tingling and numbess which radiated intermittently up to my elbow. If I propped my elbow up on a table (like bad table manners, ha) I could feel the shooting, searing, ,tingling “pain” from the elbow to my last two fingers. I googled this, and found cubital tunnel syndrome. Be it said that I DID break my left elbow about 4.5 years ago. So with that in mind, I went and saw the ortho who set my arm then. He dx’ed me with the ulnar nerve entrapment, and said he “doubted” it would be from my fall and subsequent break 4 years earlier. He told me to (basically) eat Aleve for the next few weeks to see if it helped. It did NOT help.
About 2 weeks after that, I went at had an EMG and NCV testing done. Things just progressively got worse. I had normal results, according to the neurologist.(well I had mildly abnormal NCV results in my Guyon’s canal). He asked if I ever had neck pain, which I have, and he recommended at some point getting a cervical MRI to rule out cervical neuropathy. I brushed this off, until about 2 or 3 weeks later, the awful tingling/numbness/searing pain moved up into my triceps and underarm area. Then, it proceeded to go up into the base of my neck (say, in between the shoulder blade area). Tingling, all the time, just about, in one place or another along that path.
A few weeks later, I followed up with the ortho, and told him I believed it was my NECK causing the problem. I had an MRI a week after that appointment, then another appointment with a second orthopedic doc who specialized in necks/backs. He said my MRI was FINE. My neck was FINE. I was speechless, b/c I almost hoped it WAS my neck. At least then, I’d have an answer, and frankly… probably an easier recovery. Let’s face it. So he put me on Elavil to help the ulnar nerve pain (that’s what it’s been dx’ed as) and after 4 days of that, I couldn’t keep my eyes open at work. I just got off it 2 nights ago, and tonight I’m taking my first dose of Lyrica.
Let me add I’m only 30 years old,, and a church pianist as a second job. I NEED my hands, they are my livelihood. I am the mom of a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old. I am suffering, and I’m scared to have surgery on my elbow, because… I’m still not convinced that’s all that’s going on. Has anyone else with CTS/ulnar nerve entrapment had tingling ALL the way up the arm, into the armpit, and in the base of the neck? It’s like I can feel the whole nerve from top to bottom.
I’m looking for ANY input at all. Thanks for reading this long entry.
My symptoms started as tingling in my 4th and 5th fingers of my left hand. Namely when I was holding my arm up, say to talk on the phone. Let me add I am left handed as well. Which just adds to the problems. Within the next week or 2, I noticed tingling and numbess which radiated intermittently up to my elbow. If I propped my elbow up on a table (like bad table manners, ha) I could feel the shooting, searing, ,tingling “pain” from the elbow to my last two fingers. I googled this, and found cubital tunnel syndrome. Be it said that I DID break my left elbow about 4.5 years ago. So with that in mind, I went and saw the ortho who set my arm then. He dx’ed me with the ulnar nerve entrapment, and said he “doubted” it would be from my fall and subsequent break 4 years earlier. He told me to (basically) eat Aleve for the next few weeks to see if it helped. It did NOT help.
About 2 weeks after that, I went at had an EMG and NCV testing done. Things just progressively got worse. I had normal results, according to the neurologist.(well I had mildly abnormal NCV results in my Guyon’s canal). He asked if I ever had neck pain, which I have, and he recommended at some point getting a cervical MRI to rule out cervical neuropathy. I brushed this off, until about 2 or 3 weeks later, the awful tingling/numbness/searing pain moved up into my triceps and underarm area. Then, it proceeded to go up into the base of my neck (say, in between the shoulder blade area). Tingling, all the time, just about, in one place or another along that path.
A few weeks later, I followed up with the ortho, and told him I believed it was my NECK causing the problem. I had an MRI a week after that appointment, then another appointment with a second orthopedic doc who specialized in necks/backs. He said my MRI was FINE. My neck was FINE. I was speechless, b/c I almost hoped it WAS my neck. At least then, I’d have an answer, and frankly… probably an easier recovery. Let’s face it. So he put me on Elavil to help the ulnar nerve pain (that’s what it’s been dx’ed as) and after 4 days of that, I couldn’t keep my eyes open at work. I just got off it 2 nights ago, and tonight I’m taking my first dose of Lyrica.
Let me add I’m only 30 years old,, and a church pianist as a second job. I NEED my hands, they are my livelihood. I am the mom of a 5 yr old and a 3 yr old. I am suffering, and I’m scared to have surgery on my elbow, because… I’m still not convinced that’s all that’s going on. Has anyone else with CTS/ulnar nerve entrapment had tingling ALL the way up the arm, into the armpit, and in the base of the neck? It’s like I can feel the whole nerve from top to bottom.
I’m looking for ANY input at all. Thanks for reading this long entry.
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DALEEM
03-02-2009, 11:20 PM
hello it is posible the problem is coming from your neck. Try this procedure sit in a chair with your back and kneck straight. Take your right hand with your pointer finger and middle finger then place the two fingers on your chin. Sitting with your back straight push you chin straight back. Let your lower part of your head go back as you push. This procedure religns the spin. Once you got the procedure down. Due this without you fingers. Start out with 10 reps. Pause for a minute then do another 10 etc. If you feel you numbness move in to you palm your headed in the right direction. If this happens you should start to feel the pain lesson a little. Know if the numbness did move and lesson as your are doing this follow this procedure: Do 10 reps 2 times a day for three days then increase to 3 times a day for a couple of weeks. Make sure when you are sleeping, sleep flat with your head flat. Get a round cylinder cushion to put under your neck for support. You can wrap a towel around your elbow to keep your arms for bending when you sleep. If you feel the need for futher instruction, go to physical therapy and mention this procedure they will instruct you on how to do it.
I have the same problem as you and went to physical therepy and this worked for me. After treatment work on sitting straight, proper posture, and sleeping with you head flat as possible.
Hope this helps and good luck
hope this helps
I have the same problem as you and went to physical therepy and this worked for me. After treatment work on sitting straight, proper posture, and sleeping with you head flat as possible.
Hope this helps and good luck
hope this helps
Bobby Flay
03-08-2009, 06:29 AM
Wow, what the heck is he going to do surgery on? Did they actually find something wrong on any of these tests? Didn't sound like it to me. EMGs don't show small fiber neuropathy because it effects the autonomic nerves and the peripheral nerves. It won't even show up at all with the autonomic stuff. He must think that you have some swelling some place causing all of these symptoms because that is what the Alieve would be treating, swelling that is. I am a nurse and I am very suspicious about your symptoms and what the actual cause is. Surgery is a business, don't forget that. If he does surgery on you and doesn't find anything, he still gets paid. If it was me, I would want him to tell me what exactly he thinks it is and what he hopes to accomplish. To me, I think that a pinched nerve or something like that sounds pretty reasonable. Maybe it would just take a steriod injection at the site he thinks is causing all of your trouble. That is much less invasive and carries fewer side effects. I would think that would be worth a try before doing surgery. Then, if that doesn't work, try surgery. I would also ask him for some Vicodin or Percocet to get you through till he figures out what is going on. Don't be afraid to ask for these drugs. Remember, they work for you. It is against the medical bylaws to allow a patient to remain in pain. He should be very open to suggestions like steriod injections and pain management in the form of drugs and if he isn't, time for a second opinion. Alieve is a great drug, it can however, cause stomach ulcers, painless ones that you won't know about until it is too late and they can be life threatening. Alieve should be taken with narcotics, Alieve and Ibuprofen aid the narcotics and it is totally safe to take them together. Don't take that Alieve for very long or you will get an ulcer. Ask him for steriod injection and narcotics and you will be sleeping better and I would also only take them in the smallest dose possible because of your little ones, you could take a heavier dose at night before you go to sleep, that is what I do. I also only take Lyrica at night because it makes me too tired and I have two little ones also and to me, it just isn't worth it.
Tinkerbelle759
05-22-2009, 05:56 PM
I don't have an answer to your problem, but I am printing this out to take to my neurologist. It is like I wrote it myself. I was in a vehicle accident when my problems started and your posting is like the words I needed to tell him, but didn't know how. I will let you know if anything good develops here with any new treatments. God Bless.
bellespree
05-23-2009, 06:26 PM
I have all the same symptoms. I have been diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment. The problem is there is really no way for them to be sure if the problem is in the neck or the ulnar nerve. Both can cause these problems.
They do have a brace to keep your arm from bending, you wear it a night. It does help some. Also , be aware at all times and try to keep from bending the arm for long periods of time. If you do that you can get things to calm down some.
The ulnar nerve is much easier to treat than the neck. It's a quick release surgery and a short recovery time,much like carpal tunnel. If it's not caused by your neck you should be fine. It can also be in both places at the same time.
I would fix your arm first. Then move on to the neck if needed. If they didn't find anything in your neck on the MRI they won't be able to do anything to your neck.
Just because they can't see it doesn't mean its not there. You may fix your arm and still have the problem, and the doc's will have a hard time believing you have the problem then. I hope for your peace of mind it is in your arm. Best of luck to you.
They do have a brace to keep your arm from bending, you wear it a night. It does help some. Also , be aware at all times and try to keep from bending the arm for long periods of time. If you do that you can get things to calm down some.
The ulnar nerve is much easier to treat than the neck. It's a quick release surgery and a short recovery time,much like carpal tunnel. If it's not caused by your neck you should be fine. It can also be in both places at the same time.
I would fix your arm first. Then move on to the neck if needed. If they didn't find anything in your neck on the MRI they won't be able to do anything to your neck.
Just because they can't see it doesn't mean its not there. You may fix your arm and still have the problem, and the doc's will have a hard time believing you have the problem then. I hope for your peace of mind it is in your arm. Best of luck to you.
Emma G
08-13-2009, 11:38 PM
WOW!!! Your saga sounds alot like mine, toss in carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and a seizure disorder and we would have the same salad.
The doctors I was seeing did not tell me about the carpal tunnel, the pain was not in my wrists but in my upper arms. I had just retired and relocated to a new area. The seizure disorder was in my speech center so I was having trouble verbalizing my thoughts. Anyway, back to you, I have done research on the ulnar nerve and cubital tunnel syndrome,Which is ulnar nerve entrapment. This can be done as a non-invasive surgery. Go to PubMed.com and look up this subject or any medical topic. God Bless and Get Healthy, Emma G
The doctors I was seeing did not tell me about the carpal tunnel, the pain was not in my wrists but in my upper arms. I had just retired and relocated to a new area. The seizure disorder was in my speech center so I was having trouble verbalizing my thoughts. Anyway, back to you, I have done research on the ulnar nerve and cubital tunnel syndrome,Which is ulnar nerve entrapment. This can be done as a non-invasive surgery. Go to PubMed.com and look up this subject or any medical topic. God Bless and Get Healthy, Emma G