timmy k
04-02-2003, 11:35 PM
Hi everyone. Does anyone have or know about these symptoms? I was in a MVA 11/2002. I have a small central anterior and posterior herniation at C5-6 causing mild central thecal sac compression at C5-6. I have seen 2 neurologist and both have said no surgery is needed in the short term. However I have this problem that seem to be getting worse. Along with pain in the neck and going into both arms and numbness and tingling what has developed recently is this... Both hands turn red even purple and ice cold. The right side is worse. Today the redness traveled up past the elbow. Different things I do seems to change the symptoms. Looking down makes hands turn more purple. Leaning forward makes it worse. Also I discovered when I raise my hands above my head my right hand would turn completely white, the pulse in the arm is gone and bringing hand down the pulse returns and hand would turn purple again. The doctor has suggested to elevate my hands when it gets bad. Does anybody have this or might know what this is? Thank you for all your help.
Sponsor
Niki47
04-02-2003, 11:51 PM
Hi there, I forget the name of it, but where the nerves and blood vessels go thru the shoulder towards your neck, they are getting squished. The Drs. check your pulse and if it stops, like your's does... that is the "quickie" way to diagnose it. Some kind of juncture or outlet thing. I remember reading about it on a carpal tunnel and other repetitive stress injury website.
Good luck in finding your info.
Good luck in finding your info.
lori1851
04-03-2003, 12:01 AM
Timmy,
Check out www.spineuniverse.com (http://www.spineuniverse.com) this is a great site! It should help you find the name of the conditon hon!
Goodluck,
Lori Indiana
Check out www.spineuniverse.com (http://www.spineuniverse.com) this is a great site! It should help you find the name of the conditon hon!
Goodluck,
Lori Indiana
BWL
04-03-2003, 12:17 AM
Doctor doctor! It hurts when I lift my arms...Well then, don't lift your arms.
Timmy, It sounds like your docs aren't taking your condition as seriously as they should. I like the squishing the blood vessels and nerves theory, but it seems peculiar that this would be a squishing incident that affects both sides. I would find someone that could help you get to the bottom of these symptoms.
Have you ever checked your blood pressure during these episodes or maybe had a tilt table test?
Feel well and welcome to the board,
Bruce :wave:
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
[This message has been edited by BWL (edited 04-02-2003).]
Timmy, It sounds like your docs aren't taking your condition as seriously as they should. I like the squishing the blood vessels and nerves theory, but it seems peculiar that this would be a squishing incident that affects both sides. I would find someone that could help you get to the bottom of these symptoms.
Have you ever checked your blood pressure during these episodes or maybe had a tilt table test?
Feel well and welcome to the board,
Bruce :wave:
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
[This message has been edited by BWL (edited 04-02-2003).]
cotal
04-03-2003, 12:56 AM
I've never heard or read of anyone with a C5-C6 compromise with the conditions you describe. Neurological symptoms are usually only felt. That is if the sympathetic or parasympathetic pathways are affected through a nerve root compression, your arm would FEEL sore or numb or cold or tingly, but it's a false signal. Your motor skills could be compromised as well.
Definitely get another opinion quickly. I agree that the skin color change indicates a loss of blood flow. Ask for some radiology wherever the Docs think the blockage may exist...
------------------
1993 C5-C6 compression noted in Xray
1995 Forearm soreness observed, attribute to RSI
1997 Jammed finger in Sports Accident, numbness never goes away
1998 numbness and parathesia in middle finger attribute to carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel surgery ineffective
2000 Acupuncture, Acupressure, massage, PT, Yoga
2001 Neurologist orders MRI, diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy and spondylosis
2002 Conservative therapies continued, condition persists, 5 neurosurgeons consulted
2003 Artificial disc prosthesis considered and rejected, 2 level fusion scheduled
[This message has been edited by cotal (edited 04-03-2003).]
Definitely get another opinion quickly. I agree that the skin color change indicates a loss of blood flow. Ask for some radiology wherever the Docs think the blockage may exist...
------------------
1993 C5-C6 compression noted in Xray
1995 Forearm soreness observed, attribute to RSI
1997 Jammed finger in Sports Accident, numbness never goes away
1998 numbness and parathesia in middle finger attribute to carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel surgery ineffective
2000 Acupuncture, Acupressure, massage, PT, Yoga
2001 Neurologist orders MRI, diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy and spondylosis
2002 Conservative therapies continued, condition persists, 5 neurosurgeons consulted
2003 Artificial disc prosthesis considered and rejected, 2 level fusion scheduled
[This message has been edited by cotal (edited 04-03-2003).]
lib77
04-03-2003, 01:25 AM
timmy,
have you had an MRI done on your spine? My mother is having surgery next week on C5-6, she was also in a car accident. her symptoms are pain, weakness, tingling, numbness and lack of strength in both of her arms. The dr says the numbness may be permanent if actions weren't taken ASAP.
You are your own best advocate. do some research, push for any tests you might think necessary. I think your condition sounds fairly serious, and it would be a shame for you to end up with a permanent disability because of an incompetent doctor. Make sure you tell the doctor of all your symptoms, and if he doesn't know what it is ask him to refer you to another doctor.
Hope you feel better soon :)
lib
have you had an MRI done on your spine? My mother is having surgery next week on C5-6, she was also in a car accident. her symptoms are pain, weakness, tingling, numbness and lack of strength in both of her arms. The dr says the numbness may be permanent if actions weren't taken ASAP.
You are your own best advocate. do some research, push for any tests you might think necessary. I think your condition sounds fairly serious, and it would be a shame for you to end up with a permanent disability because of an incompetent doctor. Make sure you tell the doctor of all your symptoms, and if he doesn't know what it is ask him to refer you to another doctor.
Hope you feel better soon :)
lib
2MnyHats
04-03-2003, 08:32 AM
hi timmy-
"Thoracic outlet syndrome" can cause symptoms such as yours. This site might give you more info:
http://www.tellmeabouttos.com/symptoms.htm
Anything that turns your hands colors...definitely needs more attention!
Hope this helped.
Vicky
"Thoracic outlet syndrome" can cause symptoms such as yours. This site might give you more info:
http://www.tellmeabouttos.com/symptoms.htm
Anything that turns your hands colors...definitely needs more attention!
Hope this helped.
Vicky
timmy k
04-03-2003, 10:05 AM
Hi everyone!!! THANKYOU ALL for all this information you have given me so far. To answer a few questions; To BWL: I have tried to check my blood pressure. When my arm is down I can take a normal BP reading. I will then begin to take BP with arm down then begin to raise it. The monitor reads BP to a certain point when raising arm then after a certain point the monitor says it cant find pulse. Then I check it at the raised position and I cant find it also. Also these symptoms are worse on the right side. As far as symptoms on both sides, I do not know. All doctors say my injury are severe and it was a great impact to cause a double herniation in the neck. TO lib77 the MRI said I have C5-6 small central anterior and posterior herniation causing mild central thecal sac compression at C5-6. But 2 neurologist said no surgery is needed in the short term. Also very early after the accident they used the term TOS, but are saying that is not an issue anymore. So I do not know.
winged phantom
04-03-2003, 11:13 AM
Hi Timmy,
Welcome to the board. I can tell you are suffering, and I agree with another comment that you should try to find different doctors. I think there is much to the story that they are not hearing and are not dealing with; either that or they are terrible at communicating with you. Either way, I would not just accept a no treatment approach for those symptoms.
I have one of the symptoms for TOS, although no one has never done a work-up for it. I always just thought of it as a neat parlor trick (when you put your arm up, turn your head away, and your pulse disappears). But I did not have the redness, the temperature changes, etc., etc.
Don't worry about doing a blood pressure with your arm up; that will not be an accurate reading. I think that it was just a concern about what your regular BP might be during these episodes. And don't sleep with your arms above your head! That is a troublesome position for you, and you need more answers before taking some things for granted.
Good luck in finding more answers and more help with the trouble. :wave:
wr
Welcome to the board. I can tell you are suffering, and I agree with another comment that you should try to find different doctors. I think there is much to the story that they are not hearing and are not dealing with; either that or they are terrible at communicating with you. Either way, I would not just accept a no treatment approach for those symptoms.
I have one of the symptoms for TOS, although no one has never done a work-up for it. I always just thought of it as a neat parlor trick (when you put your arm up, turn your head away, and your pulse disappears). But I did not have the redness, the temperature changes, etc., etc.
Don't worry about doing a blood pressure with your arm up; that will not be an accurate reading. I think that it was just a concern about what your regular BP might be during these episodes. And don't sleep with your arms above your head! That is a troublesome position for you, and you need more answers before taking some things for granted.
Good luck in finding more answers and more help with the trouble. :wave:
wr
Niki47
04-03-2003, 02:47 PM
Thanks 2manyhats for the Thoracic Outlet thingy... that is EXACTLY the thing I was trying to remember!! LOL
I get to plead brain damage these days since i have aphasia! (Ok, so it is not REALLY funny... but if I don't laugh, I cry.)
Niki47
I get to plead brain damage these days since i have aphasia! (Ok, so it is not REALLY funny... but if I don't laugh, I cry.)
Niki47
timmy k
04-03-2003, 09:42 PM
Thank you ALL for all your help and information! It has been a big big help. Again Thank you.
timmy k
timmy k
lib77
04-04-2003, 12:57 AM
timmy k,
I had posted before about my mother's similar condition. I discussed your post with her and she is also very concerned about your condition. She says you need to go into see an orthopaedic surgeon and discuss all the symptoms you are having. you can call the office of your neurologist and ask for a referral to the orth. surgeon...or if you can't wait until you get the appointment just go to the ER, explain your situation (ie. MVA in 11/2002 and your symptoms) and tell them you NEED to see an orthopaedic surgeon.
My mother also had surgery on C6-7 3 years ago and said she felt so much better immediately after surgery...and also the longer you put up with the pain, the worse it gets. I don't mean to scare by saying that, but what I mean is why wait until the pain gets unbearable before the dr. does anything to help you.
I hope this has helped a bit. I pray that you feel better soon :)
lib
I had posted before about my mother's similar condition. I discussed your post with her and she is also very concerned about your condition. She says you need to go into see an orthopaedic surgeon and discuss all the symptoms you are having. you can call the office of your neurologist and ask for a referral to the orth. surgeon...or if you can't wait until you get the appointment just go to the ER, explain your situation (ie. MVA in 11/2002 and your symptoms) and tell them you NEED to see an orthopaedic surgeon.
My mother also had surgery on C6-7 3 years ago and said she felt so much better immediately after surgery...and also the longer you put up with the pain, the worse it gets. I don't mean to scare by saying that, but what I mean is why wait until the pain gets unbearable before the dr. does anything to help you.
I hope this has helped a bit. I pray that you feel better soon :)
lib
timmy k
04-04-2003, 08:40 AM
Hi lib. Thankyou for your help. I have a doctor appt today. I will be asking for direction as far as further testing or will ask if he will send me to someone else for more testing.. I will let you know what happens.. Thankyou so much...timmy k
BWL
04-04-2003, 09:52 AM
Good luck with your visit Timmy.
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
------------------
ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)
lib77
04-04-2003, 08:55 PM
Good to hear :)
Hope you are feeling better soon! :)
Lib
Hope you are feeling better soon! :)
Lib
PsychLea
04-04-2003, 10:57 PM
Timmy,
Hope your appt went well. I agree with the other members. It sounds like you have some classic thoracic outlet syndrome and maybe a possible injury to the brachioplexus, this coupled with the disc herniations probably does present a confusing picture.
Any doc worth his salt should be able to figure this out for you.
Welcome to the board :wave:
------------------
God bless,
Lea
Hope your appt went well. I agree with the other members. It sounds like you have some classic thoracic outlet syndrome and maybe a possible injury to the brachioplexus, this coupled with the disc herniations probably does present a confusing picture.
Any doc worth his salt should be able to figure this out for you.
Welcome to the board :wave:
------------------
God bless,
Lea
mberends
11-29-2005, 04:04 PM
Hello,
First time here, so please bear with me, I read a post, someone was asking about workers comp for TOC.
30 years ago when I was first diagnosed with TOC, I was on a manual labor job, that caused the first flare up. Repetitive motions, causing tendonitis in my elbow that seemed to travel into my wrist, hand, shoulder and upper back. I went to a neurologist who performed some test and said I had blockage. Went to PT, for several months, plus home exercises prescribed, started working out at a health club, and used hot tubs, all of it helped.
Because I did not have any symptoms until I had worked on this job for several months, workers comp. did cover all my medical and PT costs.
You might try looking into that. I did discuss surgery with my doctor, and was advised that it is not really a cure. There really is no cure, you must exercise daily, keep good posture, and I recommend hot tubs, when available.
Over the years, I've stopped doing the exercises, and had some other injuries to my lower back, and the symptoms have returned again.
Which my doctor told me if I quit exercising it would return, he was correct.
So to all of you with TOC, get a PT program, do all the exercises daily, and never stop. You will still have flare ups, but they will be milder, and shorter in duration. Keep in mind, you should have help when gardening, cleaning, or other manual labor duties. This is something you must learn to deal with through life, and it's different for everyone.
Hope this helps.
First time here, so please bear with me, I read a post, someone was asking about workers comp for TOC.
30 years ago when I was first diagnosed with TOC, I was on a manual labor job, that caused the first flare up. Repetitive motions, causing tendonitis in my elbow that seemed to travel into my wrist, hand, shoulder and upper back. I went to a neurologist who performed some test and said I had blockage. Went to PT, for several months, plus home exercises prescribed, started working out at a health club, and used hot tubs, all of it helped.
Because I did not have any symptoms until I had worked on this job for several months, workers comp. did cover all my medical and PT costs.
You might try looking into that. I did discuss surgery with my doctor, and was advised that it is not really a cure. There really is no cure, you must exercise daily, keep good posture, and I recommend hot tubs, when available.
Over the years, I've stopped doing the exercises, and had some other injuries to my lower back, and the symptoms have returned again.
Which my doctor told me if I quit exercising it would return, he was correct.
So to all of you with TOC, get a PT program, do all the exercises daily, and never stop. You will still have flare ups, but they will be milder, and shorter in duration. Keep in mind, you should have help when gardening, cleaning, or other manual labor duties. This is something you must learn to deal with through life, and it's different for everyone.
Hope this helps.