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230625 tn?1216761064

Carpal Tunnel and MS

I have been Dx'd with Ulnar Nerve entrapment (both arms) by my neuro.

Lately, I've got a new Sx, and I'm not sure if it's a new MS Sx or not.  

My left shoulder and both elbows ache.   My thumb and forefinger (and sometimes the middle finger) tingle and ache.  Ibuprophen does help (as well as a wrist splint when I wear one).  

I awaken every night with numb/tingling hands.  Changing position will alleviate the numbness/tingling (but I'll usually awake later with the same thing again).   Both elbows (where the "funny bone" is) ache and are sore (ulnar nerve or OA?).

I know that I sleep with my elbows/wrists all convoluted and "close in".  I've known that due to the ulnar nerve Sx.   Neuro told me to use an elbow splint, but I've been bad and haven't.

At my first visit with my neuro back in January, he had me press my flexed wrists together (Phalen test).  I didn't have any problems back then.  I tried it last night, and I could reproduce the tingling (both wrists and hands actually hurt, "buzzed" and tingled for a few minutes after that).

Now, I'm wondering if this new Sx in my left arm is a Carpal Tunnel thing or an MS Sx.  If it's CT, it seemed to come on pretty fast.   I'm assuming you can have both, but this just started up.  I also have OA in my fingers.  Basically, my fingers to elbows on both hands are sore.  

Is anyone experiencing the same thing??

TIA!  Pat :)



10 Responses
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Avatar universal
Quix thanks for the tip on Hereditary Susceptibility to Compression Neuropathy, I looked briefly into this in the AM.

I went to the doc with timeline and hx in hand, I had some reservations because yesterday the office called and moved my time up because the doc was covering for someone at the hospital. I asked on the phone if the appointment would be rushed because if so, I would reschedule due to the fact that I wanted to be sure to have time to go over some stuff. They said come on in.

Mistake and a half, I walked out of the docs so frustrated and dismissed, I am almost thinking about calling the insurance company and telling them not to pay for an office call. The doc was way too busy to look at the timeline let alone see me!! He promised to look over the timeline and told his assistant he wanted to discuss my case with her. He asked about how my carpal tunnel was going, I said that has never been a real issue other than the tingling in the hands at night. I told him I am having more of issue with trying to find out why I am having all these various sx and explained that more that the CTS the ring and pinky fingers have been going numb not only at night but also int he day. I told him I was having balance troubles and told him that I could not stand rt heel to lft toe. I actually got up to show him, since he certainly wasn't going to do any exam himself. He did notice that I could not stand still that way and made a note in the chart. He again said he would go over the timeline later and explained he was too busy today.

He asked do you want me to do an EMG  to check the ulnar nerve? He had checked it in January and it was normal. I said yes since most of the ring and pinky stuff has happened since then. He said we will probably need to do an MRI of the neck. He just really did not have time for me today.

I go next week for the EMG and he said he will have more time then to talk. I will decide after that visit whether I am moving to a third Neuro!!! Thanks for letting me vent. Sorry that I have no brilliance to share with anyone yet!!!!

Nancy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
btw 6-paq,

Don't be discouraged if your Neuro either is negative about the 2 being related...or if he offers to test you through a commercial lab using the ELISA titer! This test is not very disclosing...
Helpful - 0
230625 tn?1216761064
Thanks for your replies and links.   It's good to know that I'm not the only one who this is happening to and am wondering if there is any relationship to MS.

I have an appt with my neuro on Thursday and will mention it to him.

Nancy ~ please let us know what your neuro says!

Take care everyone!  Pat :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there, and I hope you find your way to road of good health.

Carpal tunnel is a prime target for the lyme bacteria...This bacteria seeks out low oxygen parts of our bodies. Sounds sci-fi but true; my brother-in-law with past carpal tunnel issues in now in lyme treatment!!

As for the MS dx: you might want to go to lymenet.org; a guy is posting about what his expererience after being diagnosed PPMS...and now treating for Lyme Disease.

There's also a new thread a gal posted: titled:
They Knew in 1957 This if for People with MS or Multiple Sclerosis.

I always found that knowledge is power.

the very best to you,
tory
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have severe carpal tunnel syndrome too, and cubital and guyon tunnel syndrome (all compression syndomes; cubital being elbow, and guyon being the cannal on the other side of the wrist, under the pinky finger) in my left arm/wrist, But only mild carpal tunnel in the right.  My neurologist has suggested surgery, but said it might not alleviate it if it is the virus, or what ever condition is going on.  In my mind, that means that there is a recognized connection between syndromes of the nerves and carpal tunnel, though maybe not completely understood.  He said something about possible muscle spasms causing the compression and that even with surgery it would not be relieved.  So I've decided to wait on surgery, do some active release therapy (like acupressure/chiropractics) to alleviate pain in the mean time, and wait for a diagnosis.

I'm not sure if that helps, but that is my experience. Also, I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly, but you were from NJ, right?  You have to go to NY for the therapy, only once every other month, so not that bad.  I have to travel when I want it, but the laws should be changing soon.
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147426 tn?1317265632
See?!  I remembered!  I've been wanting to mention something to you since I read it in passing and couldn't remember who had the problem of all the "compression syndromes"  There is a known neurologic disorder of diffuse peripheral neuropathy called, "Hereditary Susceptibility to Compression Neuropathy."  It was in a discussion of the compression syndromes and I've always thought a lot of people here (too many) had compression syndromes.  But, it would be a good idea to mention this to your doctor.

Jon, I think you put your finger on the likely problem.  But, I'm wiped out and will be back later.

Quix
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I meant to put this in the last message. I posted this same concern in Quixes post on forum topics. It is now several pages back. I did find one study that seemed to imply that their may be a link between Carpal Tunnel and MS.

I am still interested in the seeming link between carpal tunnel and MS. I have found one study on this and I wonder if there are more out there that I cannot find.

Here is one such link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10761498&dopt=AbstractPlus
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have almost the exact Sx, however, I was diagnosed with CTS first in the right wrist in 2002, diagnosed with it in both in 2007. I now and having ulnar nerve problems I think they call this Corbital Tunnel Syndrome (not sure about the name). My ring fingers and pinky fingers go numb and tingle. Last Friday for the first time my left hand and arm became tingly during the day.

I am going to the Neuro tomorrow and one of my questions to him is about this seeming progression of nerve entrapment problems. I am hoping he can shed some light on this problem for me. My ring finger on my right hand can no longer cross over my pinky finger. Not really a problem, more of a fear that permanent damage is being done to my nerves.

I will let you know if the doc sheds any light on these sx. Please let me know if your doc gives you any helpful info into why this is occuring. Thanks

Nancy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh Yes, a big pet peeve of mine, because when I was DXd with MS by my Nuero, I had seen him just six months before testing for carpal tunnel. I go through all the same things you do and experience it the same way.  I have questioned him on it several times and he flatly states there's no connection and nothing to talk about.  

However I had read time and time again in this forum of people with MS or are possibly MS complaining of carpal tunnel (or hands, fingers tingling when they sleep).

I think there’s a connection and the research/medical community has not recognized it.

Is it possible that maybe MS has made us more susceptible to feeling it?  Its odd that these two supposed unrelated issues both started at the same time (within a year or so). Perhaps there's an unrecognized brain connection with carpal tunnel, that it is not all local to the wrist.  Well anyway, I agree with you, I think there's a connection, albeit unproven. So as far as I know we still have to treat it the same way, by alleviating pressure on the wrist.


JonM
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My mom has carpal tunnel and has problems with her hands alot. She gets pains in them and has trouble making a fist. I would suggest trying to keep arms straight or to use your splint. That might help. I'm not the best at following drs advice either. I HATE taking pills and HATE needles. But both are now part of my everyday activities. ( well the needles will be, when I get my copaxone). Anyways thats my advice, don't know if it helps or not.       Karina
Helpful - 0
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