Re: Neck/shoulder pain

Posted By yvonne on April 22, 1999 at 09:17:28
I previously posteded a question regarding fasics in the legs, weakness on right side of body, headaches and back pain..The back pain is from the bottom of my neck to inbetween my shoulder blades.  I am also experiencing numbness and tingling in my shoulder blades.  The pain is getting severe and I am not sure what to do. Any suggestions???? Thanks for your time
Yvonne

[CCF Neuro[P] MD RPS]

Posted By CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on April 24, 1999 at 10:12:47
Dear Yvonne:
I would recommend that your visit your neurologist.  Although benign fasciculations can give you all the symptoms that you describe, it is always better to have someone look and exam.  Then, there is a baseline evaluation from which to judge other changes that might occur and the context of that change.  
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD

[Dave-J]

Posted By Dave J on April 25, 1999 at 08:51:41
I have the same symptoms, and they are getting worse. Now besides my fingers going numb on both hands (not always simultainiously) the tops of my feet are starting to tingle and grow numb. The pain is increasing in my shoulder/neck area, and even radiates upwards to my left ear and eye. I am not getting alot of sleep these past months because of it. I have a healthy diet, am fitter than most 44 year old males, but I'm wondering if that is part of the problem? Should I curtail my wieght program and stop playing soccer and squash? I hope not! THAT would devastating for me. Also, I use moderate wieghts (90-110lbs) with high reps. Two exersises that I can no longer do; "flys" and any exercise involving ANY pressure or wieght on both shoulders simultainously. I saw my doctor last week and he took x-rays of several juctures on my spine, and found nothing, and said the next step would be "nerve mapping". What the heck is THAT?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD RPS]

Posted By CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on May 22, 1999 at 11:40:28
Dear Dave:
Sorry to hear about the pain and numbness your experiencing.  I am not sure exactly what your doctor meant by "nerve mapping".  I think she/he is likely referring to an EMG test.  Here they look at muscle and nerves, by stimulating nerves or muscles they can tell how the electrical connections are functioning.  This sounds like a good idea.  Your symptoms can arise from a lot of various etiologies and I think an EMG is a good place to start.  Have you had basic lab work such as CBC, electrolytes, folate, vitamin B12, ANA titer, sedimentation rate, etc?  Likely, depending on the EMG, they will want to look at your spine with MRI (better pictures of the spine soft tissues and boney areas).  It is difficult to give you counsel about your activities.  Since you are not using heavy weights, using the weight you describe and good form in the exercises, likely will not harm you.  I hope that the etiology of your problems becomes clear soon.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD










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