Anyone else?

sammyo1 · 07-11-2009, 02:20 PM

I had an EMG done shortly after having cervical fusion. I started to have pain, tingling, burning in my hand & fingers. Mostly the 2 middle ones.
the doctor who had done the EMG said we are not all wired the same & some times CT effects people different. My pain can go up the arm to under the shoulder, which my surgeon said Ct can effect the shoulder & the neck. Although the Ct showed to be severe a splint helped alot until recently. I'm pretty much up every night with burning pain that starts in my fingers & end up icing my hand, wrist & shoulder/neck area. my wrist area is bothered more & more & I can no longer use the hand in the morning or make a fist. Since I have issues with the other hand this leaves me really handicapped. I'm wondering if anyone experiances any of the same as I. I have a friend who has CT & she stated she does not experiance much of what I do.

I also have heard conflicting stories about CT surgery. Have been told its not really successful & then have heard the opposite. Since my doctor is asking me to consider surgery this makes it hard to know what to do. I believe my cervical is involved here but still my hand is getting worse & worse.
I would really appreciate anyone who has an opinion or even sharing your symptoms. Thanks for taking the time. Sammy

BeHappy2 · 07-11-2009, 05:18 PM

Oh yes Sammy, i have what you are describing.

Along with both of my wrist splints i also wear a elbow support, especially at bedtime. Oh boy can it hurt. i do have the CP in both wrists and yes i have the pain clear up into my shoulder.

For me, i use a cool muscle relief cream. Don't think i can mention brand names on here. You may need to try the cool relief creams to the whole arm.

i refuse to have CT surgery, i have read and talked to ones who have had it and it can return. So it really depends on you to make that decision on your own.

BeHappy2

sammyo1 · 07-12-2009, 01:08 PM

Thank you B, are you or have you lost strength in your hands?
I am up almost every night do you have the same problem. Its really getting to me here. I appreciate your time, yes this is painful & the burning is the worst. I have a ton of creams I'll give some a try. I forgot to add my PT told me the same thing about surgery. My friend just told me she saw a doctor who said there is so much involved in the wrist area its the one surgery to avoid if you can. I am afraid my Pm doc may try to push me to have this done & Ive had shoulder & cervical 11months apart. I really dont want another surgery you know? Thanks again. Sammy

BeHappy2 · 07-13-2009, 01:33 AM

I've lost strength in both of my hands. Being right handed my weakness is more noticeable to me. I refuse any surgery, this is something i will learn to live with and try the best i can.

I should have mentioned the splints my doc prescribed are the metal wrist splints and these are very important to wear when sleeping.
The metal wrist splints will prevent you from bending your wrist at night.
This is a must for me, tossing & turning has you bending the wrist or perhaps side sleeping and hands under the pillow-ouch! So the metal splints prevent any bending. If you don't have these , they are definately worth the purchase.

Hope you find a cream that helps, creams are a temporary relief but for me surgery is totally out.

BeHappy2

sammyo1 · 07-14-2009, 10:00 AM

Thanks Be, both splints have metal. Its funny as my surgeon who did my cervical gave me a script for the left as he thought I was suffering from the start of CT in that side, but it did nothing. I dont think its CT with that hand. Anyway I went in to get the splint & the gentleman noticed I already had the right one in a splint. He examined it & said it would actually be more comfortable then the one he was giving me. At first if I wore the splint I had very little pain but it seemed to stop helping so much.

My night one is much larger & prevents using my hand at all.

I have finally managed some sleep but have to take a mucsle relaxer & an anti inflammatory to do so. I dont want to take them every day you know?
I take them for my cervical & back as it is but could get away from doing so every night.

I honestly believe this is from the cervical problems but it sure does hurt.
I noticed for the first time the pain was going up my inner arm even splinted. I am having to use the night splint more & more. I'm with you as far as surgery. I dont want to go there, I trust my old PT & she warned me about the CT surgery.

Have you went through PT for the CT or tried any injections? My PM mentioned trying a cortisone injection. I really am loosing use more often & of course this worries me.
I can't write at all at times & cant make a fist. I scared to do to much with that hand & that really limits me. Today its going all the way up the dang shoulder. What a pain in the butt you know?
I really appreciate your input as this is new to me & I'm amazed at how fast this has progressed. In fact the CT hit me all at once. I had no warning & really no symtoms. Thats what leads me to believe it cervical related. I ended up in so much pain I could not touch my hand or move it, then it went up the arm where I couldn't move the arm then up the neck. Landed me in the hospital for 2days. The Er doctor said I was in such bad muscle spasm that everything kind of froze up. That was Easter night. I worked my butt of that day & the day before so we thought I did something to the fusion, lifting grocerys & all that good stuff. I feel for you as that burning pain is awful.
Once again thanks so much, Sammy