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Neurology  (Expert Forum)
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Arm numbness
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MedHelp Member's Question

Arm numbness

by Debbiewake, Dec 17, 2001 12:00AM
I've been reading some of the other post surrounding this topic but I have not found one that address my specific problem. My husband has been experiencing a severe tightness and pinching in his shoulder blades and a numbness in his right hand. The hand becomes tight at intervals during the day but occasionally (especially at night) becomes numb all together. We thought perhaps it was related to some form of carpal tunnel syndrome. We own a cleaning business, so some of the repetitive motions are sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. But we can't quite figure out why it is only his shoulder blades that pinch and only the right hand that goes numb. He has been checking the pulse in the right hand and it does vary slightly when the numbness occurs. Last night, however, he had trouble finding a pulse at all. These symptons have been happening for about a month. What do you think could be causing this and where do you suggest we start looking for help?
Doctor's Answer

by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Dec 17, 2001 12:00AM
From your description of your husband's symptoms, it sounds like there is a primary nerve problem in your husband's arm or cervical spine. The lack of a pulse could be due to positioning of the arm which can certainly happen in normal individuals if the arm is in a funny position, but also raises the possibility of a vascular problem. Start with a neurologist to get a formal examination of his arm's strength, sensation and reflexes to help determine exactly where the problem is. An EMG and/or MRI of the cervical spine (depending on the results of the neuro exam) would likely be the next step. If it's possible, tell your husband to go on light duty for a few days and see if that helps his symptoms. Also, try anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen or tylenol if there is any pain.  Ask your primary doc for a referral. Best of luck.
Member Comments (6)

by Concerned lady, Dec 19, 2001 12:00AM
You might want to go with your husband to a VASCULAR doctor also, in addition to the Neurologist, to see if he is getting THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME (TOS)!



If yes, there is a great website about TOS, which can be neurological, vascular, or a combination! It is at http://www.braintalk.org



They are doing some work to update the website, so it should be available again tomorrow.



Sincerely,

Concerned lady



***@****

http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

by mamawrita, Jan 01, 2002 12:00AM
i have been experiencing numbness in my hands, especially the thumbs for over 2 years. recently, my entire right arm goes completely numb & is severe enough it wakes me up several times a night. my doctor took x-rays & did an mri as i have calcium deposits & bone spurs in my neck & spine. he found 3 discs that are ruptured in my neck that are creating pinched nerves & is why the numbness occurs. have you had x-rays or an mri? just a thought. my husband had spinal fusion in his neck a few years ago & is what my doctor recommends for me. however, i have never been to a chiropractor before but am definitely considering before i submit to surgery. i have heard pros and cons but my sister has been having much the same problems as i have but not as severe. she recently tried a chiropractor for the 1st time & swears by how much relief she experienced from just 1 visit. just some options and ideas to pursue....i have had many people in my family who have had neck &/or back surgery & would not undertake it myself unless i had tried other options first. medication is not doing it for me. am in pain every day, 24/7. vioxx barely takes just the slightest edge off the pain but can't take the heavy-duty stuff & function. if medication works for you, i would say that would be as far as i would want to go....

by JLyne, Jan 23, 2002 12:00AM
On October 30th my employer offered free influenza vaccinations to any/all employees that were interested. I had never had a flu shot before in my life, but figured that since I am getting older (41), and my husband had taken them with the Military for many years, that I would go ahead and take one, especially since they were free and I didn't have to miss work in order to take it. Well, by November 15-20th my right arm started aching and burning and my last three fingers on my right hand were totally numb. I tried to deal with it, but by the 27th of November I just could not stand the pain any longer, so I called my doctors office and told them that my arm was hurting and my fingers were numb. They told me to go straight to the ER. To make a long story short, I ended up going to a Neurologist, who diagnosed me as having "Brachial Neuritis" due to complications from the influenza vaccine that I had received in my right arm. He put me off work for at least 6 weeks and then he scheduled a EMG test on Jan 11th.



In the Neurologists' notes on the EMG & Nerve Conduction Study he stated:

R brachial neuritis.

R Ulnar conduction velocity was slowed.

R MACN latency was prolonged. R Ulnar terminal sensory latency was prolonged. R Ulnar F wave latency was prolonged.



Momopolar needle EMG examination showed chronic neurogenic changes in proximal as well as distal group muscles of RUE.



Interpretation: These findings are consistent with R brachial neuritis.



Recommend recommencement of Physical therapy, increasing Neurontin to 300mg tid, Naproxen tid 500mg, MRI of R brachial plexus. Patient remains TTD.



I had never heard of this before, so I did some research on this illness/injury on the internet. I contacted the Nat'l Vaccine Injury Commission, the CDC, VAERS, and finally was told maybe I should contact a Social Service Orginization or an Attorney. When I inquired with my employer, she stated that "You signed the form stating that you were aware of possible risks". The ONLY thing that was stated to me was "Are you alergic to eggs, and do you have a fever". I need to know what is going on and get better. Can a influenza vaccine in the right arm cause "brachial neuritis"? I had a bad sinus headache about a week prior to the vaccination, went to doctor and he did both CBC & ANA blood tests, which came back fine. He gave me two injections just as a precautionary measure - Depo-Medrol and Rocephin. Could these two injections, plus the influenza vaccine have cause this? I did agree to take the vaccination, but NEVER thought I'd end up with anything like this!!! I can promise you that I will NEVER ever take another flu shot!!!





Thank You,

JLyne

by Concerned lady, Jan 25, 2002 12:00AM
Dear JLyne,



I'm with you, about avoiding vaccinations. You should look for an interesting website, by NVIC (National Vaccination Information Center).



Also, read an eye opening book called, "IMMUNIZATION, THEORY vs. REALITY, Expose on Vaccinations, by Neil Z. Miller(1996).



This book has many informative quotes from respected mainstream medical journals about this most controversial of "sacred cow" subjects.



You might want to check into some holistic health, to counteract the "adverse effects" of the flu shot you had. For example:



acupuncture



homeopathy



Vitamin B complex (if there are no "contra-indications" for your particular situation)



adequate amounts of good fats and oils, to help re-myelinate any possibly de-myelinated nerves,



digestive enzymes, if needed



etc.



I wish you the best!



Sincerely, Concerned lady



http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

***@****

by glorya, Apr 15, 2002 12:00AM
I have had tingling and numbness in both my arms with some hand pain, especially my right side.

I can't drive or hold things sometimes.

I am not sure if this has anything to do with a surgery I had 20 months ago. I had a large tumor removed from my aeorta and also had an adrenalectomy.

I don't know where to start. It seems to be worse than last week and I am worried.

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