Mystery illness

    
      Re: Mystery illness
    


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Posted by ccf neuro M.D. on June 01, 1997 at 17:19:02:

In Reply to: Mystery illness posted by Ann Gunty on May 27, 1997 at 18:27:01:

: My husband has severe pain and numbness in both arms, from elbow to pinky finger, on outside of arms.  He also has had bouts of dizzyness and has fallen several times. He is tired all the time and stays in bed whenever he is not working. His doctor says it's pinched nerves in both elbows and "weak legs".  He is in physical therapy for his legs and may have surgery on the elbows.  We aren't convinced that we have the right answer.  This has gone on for over a month with his condition only getting worse.  Any help would be appreciated.A. Gunty: ===============================: Dear Ann:: We recommend that you repost your question in The Cleveland Clinic's Neurology Forum.  A hotlink is below.: Med Help International
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Pain and numbness along the elbow side of the forearm is compatable with either pinching and irritation of the ulnar nerves, or, importantly and alternatively, secondary to pinched C& cervical spinal cord nerve roots, secondary to a herniated disk in the neck, for instance, or from arthritis and bone spurs. The first condition should have no effect on walking or the legs; by contrast, arthritis of the neck and specifically of the cervical spine CAN produce stiffness, imbalance, and weakness of the legs (and arms sometimes) and cause people to fall, and, if left untreated, can result in permanent weakness and even paralysis of the legs plus or minus the arms. If your husband has not seen a neurologist about his complaints already, I would strongly urge him to do so ASAP, as differentiating between these possibilities is critically important. The latter condition, known as cervical canal stenosis, is often misdiagnosed as a whole host of other illnesses, including "old age" etc. It is diagnosable by an MRI scan of the cervical spine; another test called an EMG is also helpful in that, if thoroughly and properly done, can help distinguish whether the nerve problem is down in the arm as opposed to up in the neck, guiding further testing. If your husband would be intersted in a second opinion here at the Cleveland Clinic specifically, our phone number is 1-800-223-2273 exttension 45559; if Cleveland is too far for you, I would suggest the nearest LARGE teaching institution or medical center nearest you (affiliated with a medical school preferably). Information provided in the Neurology Forum is intended for general medical information purposes only; actual diagnosis and treatment of your specific medical condition should be strictly in conjunction with your treating physician(s). We hope you find the information provided useful.