emg study neg. Still have symptoms..what to do - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

abbagail · 07-22-2005, 11:51 AM

Had a emg done yesterday and the doc performing the test said everything looked fine, he didn't see any nerve problems. My trouble is that I have all the signs of cts and cubital. Numbness in fingers, more in the ring and little fingers, numb on top of hand and outside edge, tingling in forearm and pain in wrist and elbow area. This often wakes me up at night and I have to shake my hand to get it to stop. I am also having the feeling of losing strength in my hand and fingers, especially my little finger, feels like I am having trouble controlling my fingers, like writing and using the mouse. I go back to the hand specialist next Friday and was wondering what my options may be at this point, I feel that I do have these syndromes and do need treatment for them, but am afraid the doctor will dismiss me because the test was normal. Can this test be wrong? If so will most docs still go by your symptoms and not just the test results?
Thanks for your help

Nissenson · 10-04-2005, 04:05 PM

Have you ruled out a pinched nerve in your neck? It can cause similar symptoms (my CTS was originally misdiagnosed as a pinched nerve in the neck for that reason).

lauralu2000 · 10-04-2005, 05:33 PM

Im wondering the same thing. I have been in physical therepy for rotater cuff problems in my left arm. Although Im wondering if it is either CTS or a pinch nerve in my neck. My physical therepist thinks it may be in my neck. It's wierd though cause it's starting to go into my other arm as well. Can a pinched nerve give symptoms in both arms do you know?
I have pain in my shoulder, upper forearm which feels deep in the muscle, elbow, top of my arm,wrist and down in my fingers. Mostly middle two. The thing that flares it up the most is typing and sitting at the PC.
Sound like anything either of you have experieinced? When I was PG 3 years agao I had CTS very bad for the last couple months of my pregancy that lasted for 4 months after. Some of this feels just like that. THan again some of it is new. Just wish it would go away....hurts

Nissenson · 10-04-2005, 07:34 PM

Sure, in fact that's what fooled by doctors at first. I actually had CTS in both hands, but since I've had problems with my neck before, they assumed that's what it was. When the symptoms only got worse after 3 months of treatment (for a pinched nerve in the neck), I had the nerve conduction tests, and VOILA! Carpal tunnel. An MRI can determine if it's likely to be your neck. BTW when it was my neck, my symptoms are exactly what you're describing and it got better with rest, gentle stretching and avoiding heavy lifting and anything that pounds the spine (like running).

lauralu2000 · 10-09-2005, 09:14 PM

Thank-you for your response. This has just been giving me a ton of anxiety because it seems to be creeping over to the other arm and shoulder area and down and it worrys me that it's worse than a pinched nerve or CTS. Im going to go back to the doc this week to have her look me over again cause the symptoms are worse than they were a month agao when I was there and different than at that time as well. It's the pain in the bicep and tripcep area and elbow that really is annoying and worrysome to me. Although right along with it all is my painfull hands and fingers. Feeling swollen and hurting when I type and use them. So many different medical issues can have very similar symptoms.
When you said you had a pinched nerve and it got beter....do you remember how long it took? Should I not besurprised if this is what it is......that it still is causing me problems after a month of physical therepy? Thank -you again for your reply..
Laura