Chirogeek, Anyone.Question about numb and painful fingers - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Dimples5 · 09-09-2003, 09:25 PM

I have read that some of you have had symptoms of numb fingers that are also painful. I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op of cervical laminectomy through the back. My arm and shoulder pains, shocks and tingles are gone. Now am left with expected surgery pains, but still have extreme numbness of index finger on left hand as well as some numbness in thumb and middle finger and up hand. The numbness I can deal with but the index finger feels like I hit it with a hammer or that it is going to explode sometimes. I had this before surgery and am disappointed it is still there. Am I being too impatient or should I worry that something is still not corrected? Thanks. Pat

Sprytle · 09-09-2003, 09:47 PM

Pat -

It may take a while for the feeling to return. I was wondering if you were taking anything such as Topomax or Neurontin for the pain. Those meds are supposed to help the nerves stop being so over-reactive, since they were surprised by a scapel about 3 weeks ago.

I had sensitivity in my wrist after surgery. Even the AC blowing on the wrist hairs made me feel like someonw was holding a match to my wrist. The meds helped calm it down, and now, I can wear a watch without a problem.

Sprytle

Dimples5 · 09-09-2003, 09:53 PM

Sprytle, thanks for your reply. Yes, I'm on neurontin (600mg morning, 600mg nightly). I was on it pre-surgery also. It makes me pretty sleepy, but I've got nothing else to do right now. I guess I am just too impatient to be better. Thanks, Pat

Sprytle · 09-10-2003, 07:53 AM

Neurontin had the side effet on me of making me eat everything in sight. I switched to Topomax to help that.

Next time you see your doc, ask about a switch or doing an emg to see if there is a problem with the nerves. Also, you might have carpal tunnel syndrome, like I do. Sometimes my right hand is buzzing, but by placing palm up on my right leg, it goes away in about a minute. Go figure, it just works in my case.

Sprytle