Numbness of Forearm?

[disneychrista]

UPDATE:

I went for the xray of my neck and let's just say the results aren't pretty. It shows I have arthritis, degenerative disks and degenerative joints. Doctor no longer thinks it is Carpal tunnel (I never did) but nerves being compressed due to my neck issues. I am supposed to go to physical therapy but it could take several months to get in. In the mean time I am doing the exercises she gave me at home/work.

 

[BrianL]

UPDATE:

I went for the xray of my neck and let's just say the results aren't pretty. It shows I have arthritis, degenerative disks and degenerative joints. Doctor no longer thinks it is Carpal tunnel (I never did) but nerves being compressed due to my neck issues. I am supposed to go to physical therapy but it could take several months to get in. In the mean time I am doing the exercises she gave me at home/work.

That actually might be easier to deal with than carpal tunnel, though it can affect more. As someone who is no stranger to back/disc problems, I will offer my advice: Do the exercises! You can do PT without going to PT. It will work wonders, but you have to keep up on it and it takes time. You didn't mention, but hopefully the doctor offered a steroid or something to help with inflamation. Between that and the PT, you can get it to a manageable place and keep it there. Good luck!

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

That actually might be easier to deal with than carpal tunnel, though it can affect more. As someone who is no stranger to back/disc probleme, I will offer my advice: Do the exercises! You can do PT without going to PT. It will work wonders, but you have to keep up on it and it takes time. You didn't mention, but hopefully the doctor offered a steroid or something to help with inflamation. Between that and the PT, you can get it to a manageable place and keep it there. Good luck!

100% Start the exercises and don't give up.

 

[disneychrista]

That actually might be easier to deal with than carpal tunnel, though it can affect more. As someone who is no stranger to back/disc problems, I will offer my advice: Do the exercises! You can do PT without going to PT. It will work wonders, but you have to keep up on it and it takes time. You didn't mention, but hopefully the doctor offered a steroid or something to help with inflamation. Between that and the PT, you can get it to a manageable place and keep it there. Good luck!

I got a 10 day supply of heavy duty anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer. Honestly, I feel like things are worse now than they were before. She said that if after PT things weren't getting better then she would order a MRI to get a better look at what was going on. She also mentioned the possibility of a "shots.' And of course if things were still not getting better or were getting worse (as they are now) that surgery was an option. I DO NOT want surgery. It seems every one I know that has had surgery for something like this it didn't really help and they continue to have problems.

 

[BrianL]

I got a 10 day supply of heavy duty anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer. Honestly, I feel like things are worse now than they were before. She said that if after PT things weren't getting better then she would order a MRI to get a better look at what was going on. She also mentioned the possibility of a "shots.' And of course if things were still not getting better or were getting worse (as they are now) that surgery was an option. I DO NOT want surgery. It seems every one I know that has had surgery for something like this it didn't really help and they continue to have problems.

Oh, they did not do an MRI? They should. My sister was recently doing some PT for her back, and they didn't ahve an MRI. THe MRI showed that she should be doing different exercises. The need to know what's wrong in order to know how you should move.

Is teh anti-inflammatory a Prednisone type drug? If so, that usually at least helps (a lot!), but you can't take it forever either. You can't rely on it.

 

[disneychrista]

Oh, they did not do an MRI? They should. My sister was recently doing some PT for her back, and they didn't ahve an MRI. THe MRI showed that she should be doing different exercises. The need to know what's wrong in order to know how you should move.

Is teh anti-inflammatory a Prednisone type drug? If so, that usually at least helps (a lot!), but you can't take it forever either. You can't rely on it.

I am not sure why she is waiting to do the MRI. The first thing she said was she wanted to order an MRI and then changed her mind and only ordered the PT. I am seeing my regular doctor for my "wellness" visit tomorrow. I am going to talk to her about what is going on. I do think I should have an MRI to be sure that what they are think is going on really is.

The anti-inflammatory is meloxicam. She only gave me a 10 day supply with no refills. I'm not really sure if it is helping or not. It is strange but I seem to have more neck and associated pain then I did before I started taking it.

 

[caroline5177]

UPDATE:

I went for the xray of my neck and let's just say the results aren't pretty. It shows I have arthritis, degenerative disks and degenerative joints. Doctor no longer thinks it is Carpal tunnel (I never did) but nerves being compressed due to my neck issues. I am supposed to go to physical therapy but it could take several months to get in. In the mean time I am doing the exercises she gave me at home/work.

Wishing you the best going forward! Physical therapy is amazing and I hope that will give you some relief. I agree with others on trying Voltaren cream, especially now that you have had X-ray confirmation of arthritis.

I somehow just came upon this post...have been having similar issues (wrist/hand pain, plus numbness in one finger and arm weakness)- went to doc (suspected carpal tunnel; prescribed short term anti-inflammatory & wrist brace at night) and have a follow up next week. My massage therapist really thinks it is neck/shoulder related so we shall see.

 

[BrianL]

I am not sure why she is waiting to do the MRI. The first thing she said was she wanted to order an MRI and then changed her mind and only ordered the PT. I am seeing my regular doctor for my "wellness" visit tomorrow. I am going to talk to her about what is going on. I do think I should have an MRI to be sure that what they are think is going on really is.

The anti-inflammatory is meloxicam. She only gave me a 10 day supply with no refills. I'm not really sure if it is helping or not. It is strange but I seem to have more neck and associated pain then I did before I started taking it.

I think the meloxicam is for the arthritis. I will say that I am not a doctor, but if you have nerve pain associated with a bulging disc, I have had good luck using prednisone to treat that when it flares up. That's just my experience. I do recommend talking with your primary doctor tomorrow.

 

[disneychrista]

I talked to my doctor today and she was surprised an MRI wasn’t ordered so she went ahead be ordered one. So hopefully in a couple weeks I will have more answers.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I got a 10 day supply of heavy duty anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer. Honestly, I feel like things are worse now than they were before. She said that if after PT things weren't getting better then she would order a MRI to get a better look at what was going on. She also mentioned the possibility of a "shots.' And of course if things were still not getting better or were getting worse (as they are now) that surgery was an option. I DO NOT want surgery. It seems every one I know that has had surgery for something like this it didn't really help and they continue to have problems.

I was told to do PT more times than I can count and each time I left a million times worse than I started and the misery would last for days with swelling and such so I now refuse. When they ask about how you are and you fill out the form tell them you are in tons of pain when you leave and document it, it could be autoimmune which is common but the Dr's always prefer to spend in PT before testing.

 

[Southernmiss]

Also, don't discount a chiropractor.

I saw one for the first time for TMJ/ear congestion/ migraines. The nerves were all messed up.

I still have some ear congestion, but the TMJ is gone. They did X-rays first. Then set up a plan.

I went 3 times a week for 4 weeks and got adjustments and laser light therapy on the side of my face from my temples down through my shoulders.

I did not realize that in had very limited range of movement in my neck, but I did.

 

[disneychrista]

Also, don't discount a chiropractor.

My doctor specifically said to not go to a chiropractor.

 

[disneychrista]

Had the MRI yesterday and I do in fact have compression of the nerves in my neck. Now just waiting for the appointment with the orthopedic doctor to see what if anything can be done.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Had the MRI yesterday and I do in fact have compression of the nerves in my neck. Now just waiting for the appointment with the orthopedic doctor to see what if anything can be done.

If they say sugary ask for physical therapy. Don't say yes to the sugary until you have at least tried the stretches for a while.

 

[disneychrista]

If they say sugary ask for physical therapy. Don't say yes to the sugary until you have at least tried the stretches for a while.

The idea of surgery scares me. Both my mom & grandma had neck surgery that did not really resolve their issues and they still had issues.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Unfortunately there's probably not much they will offer you other than PT which may include neck traction.
IMO PT doesn't do much and I had neck traction once and it messed me up so much more.
So now 10+ years later I just deal with the compressed nerve in my neck mostly with heat and finally finding the pillow that works best for me.
If they offer surgery on your Cervical Spine I'd run in the other direction.

But who knows they may even suggest that that is not actually causing your arm numbness but something else as I have been told most people with age get compression of the nerves in the neck.