NEUROLOGY COMMUNITY
Peripheral Nerve, Brachial Plexus or other ????

Peripheral Nerve, Brachial Plexus or other ????

Hello,
I'm 50, female and am experiencing odd multi-symptoms (neuro, muscular, connective tissue ??) which is affecting work, family and day-to-day activities and this is new to me.  Symptoms started approx 11/2 year ago on left side with soft lump on side of neck towards the back, noticeably larger underarm (possible lymph node).  6 months ago, noticed entire left upper quadrant is larger than the right.  Changes to crease of elbow causing slight throbbing and stiffness.  Have a very high pain tolerance and do not run to doctor at the slightest don't feel-good-day.  Chalked it up to signs of aging.   Have read about Peripheral Nerve and Brachial Plexus problems, besides Lupus, RA and MS, but would like to know your thoughts.  My apologies for the lengthy post, but Drs are baffled.  

Last 6 mos:  Entire upper left side inflamed and painful; face, shoulder, chest, breast, arm. Periodic med-lg bulging soft lumps (or masses ?) started appearing with sharp spasm type pain just under the skin (in veins, arteries, tissue or muscle ??).  Mostly on upper left side on arm at elbow crease, above breast, clavical (above & below), shoulder, inside arm above elbow, above wrist and on wrist.  Couple episodes with a few mingled together on my right shin.  Lumps go down after 30 minutes, or so and some remain for several hours.  When they disappear, they leave traces as a soft tender mass like uneven skin texture and usually recur at some point.  The site and surrounding skin is then extremely painful (hypersensitive) to a slightest touch.  Periodic swollen right groin lymph and slight inflamed right leg with pressure, throbbing pain in entire right leg, including hip.  Range of motion is good at all joints except left side of neck.  Constant burning, tingling, prickly, pins/needles and numbing sensations of both hands and face.  Red and mottled skin over entire body.  Face appears as if sunburn.  Periodic smaller patches of brighter redness at elbows, hands, knees, breasts, upper abdomen, back of neck.  Periodic shooting, throbbing and vibration (as if electrical shock) which migrates throughout entire body.  Sometimes mirrored opposite side of body at hands and wrists.  Have had intermittent paralysis in entire left arm during sleep. Hands and fingers are bright red, burn and tingle 24x7 and periodic short-term paralysis at night.  They turn pale and grayish blue at times.  When face redness magnified, deeper red patch across bridge of nose and cheeks.  Sleeping 2-3 hours/night.  Hot baths immediatley help the pain.

History: Lifelong experienced mild to moderate numbness when pressure applied to arms, hands, legs and feet.  At age 16, 1 episode, could not feel legs at all when awaking, dragged myself out of bed and crawled (lasted about 10 min).  Early 20's, cluster/migraines 1-4 times/yr, went away for years and returned in 40's (Father with cluster hdaches).  Periodic muscle spasms in calves of legs.  Severe whiplash at 26 and have dealt with periodic neck problems.  Have seen Chiro in the past and have not had neck problems for a few years.   8 years ago, nerve root on left side caused chronic pain 24x7.  MRI showed very slight bulge at C5-C6, but nothing to worry and was likely caused by wasted muscle from old rotator cuff injury.  Physical Therapy and Neurontin for two weeks and pain was gone.   6 yrs ago, sharp stabbing pains, heavy feeling in legs-Neg Doppler.  General physical is always normal except for high calcium, retake is normal.  Have high pain tolerance and very seldom take OTC meds, or precrip pain meds.  See GP 1-2 x  a year for seasonal allergies.  2 yrs ago periodic left eye, eyelid twitches lasting weeks.  Past 7 yrs, periodic pressure, throbbing pain behind right eye, fluid, inflammation above and below eye (allergy-sinus diagnosis)  

Lab Tests:   aCL,RA, LAC, Protein Assays, IG Immuglobin, CBC, Thryroid, Lyme, Cat Scratch Fever, Vitamin K, Factor VIII.  (All negative except 1st aCL and RA, repeated aCL after 6 wks and showed negative.  
Diagnostic Tests:  Breast Mammo & Sonogram, Sonogram upper left arm, EKG & Nuclear Stress, Venous Doppler/Artery Doppler, Lung Xray, CT of  lung and throat. (All negative). Recent removal of 2 Left Axillary Lymph nodes (negative for malignancy).

Recently,  repeated all tests with another Rheumatologist and they are normal except for high C-Reactive Protetin at 1.6.  Prescribed anti-inflammatory and a non-narcotic sleep aid.  I discussed Neuro symptoms, but he wants to wait until I see him in 3 mos.  Another 3 mos!....that's a very, very long time to wait on my end of this health issue.  

Any advice is sooooo welcome.    Thanks... kindly,  Kim
Related Discussions
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Mood Tracker
See what affects your mood
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Pain Tracker
Track location and severity
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Moody Me
Have more happy days!
Download Now
Top Neurology Answerers
620923_tn?1335125657
Blank
selmaS
Allentown, PA
1475492_tn?1332887767
Blank
Sidesteps
Seattle Area, WA
338416_tn?1260996698
Blank
jensequitur
Fort Worth, TX
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
ggreg
NC
999891_tn?1330652344
Blank
rod44
Cork city, Ireland
1548028_tn?1324616046
Blank
ku111
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank