Cause of right arm 'pulsations'?

[sarah19781980]

I had a TBI last year and thankfully survived and have been making good progress. Since the accident I have had no sensation in the last 3 fingers of my right hand. Recently I've been experiencing what I can only describe as pulsations along the length of my right arm; the episodes come and go but they worry me. For the last few days they have been happening but now my arm goes numb too. Last night the numbness seemed to continue up to my neck and my face, always on the right side (my injury was mainly to the left side of my brain). Then the feeling does come back.

Could you advise me as to what could be happening? When it started happening a few months ago I went to hospital and they scanned my brain but they said nothing unusual showed up.

I've just recently (4 weeks ago) had cranioplasty and the frequency of these pulsations has definitely increased since then. Also, I've been hearing sporadic 'clicking' noises since the operation - is this something I should worry about? I don't have my follow-up appointment with my surgeon for another 4 weeks.

Many thanks for your time.

[littlewildcatt]

I have similar problems as yourself, i have been taking gabapentin for radiculopathy down both arms and legs that did not show on an EMG, I am still in pain with 2 doses but my body can not handle 3.  I have been diagnosed with post concussive syndrome since the beginning.  For a year I was blown off that I was pretending to randomly not be able to walk, shaking, and just everything.  I collapsed with paralysis with feeling now 9 times, sometimes with shaking, most all my eyes would roll, all with consciousness but not always able to respond, these didnt last for a couple minutes but took me hours to recover, the ER here has treated me as if i were there to get attention because they really are that "out of it",  the last episode consisted of various types of seizures while conscious, my friend had sent me a TBI link the day before, i learned that people with prolonged post concussion syndrome and problems that was supposed to be reported to the state registry so that the victims could be monitored to assure they recieve all the resources and testing needed, since my accident a year ago i have had a ct scan of my head that was recent and a short EEG which made me sick, but was supposively normal and before any of these more severe and noticeable symptoms started, i was sitting in church one day and with my neck and inflammation of my nerves assumed the nerve made my arm shake and my eyes roll and my head and shoulder would clench together with my arm flopping, but the rolling wasnt so bad i continue to stay in service, naive to what was hapenning.  Numbness occurs in various parts of my body randomly including my scalp and face, and while sitting to pee with little improvement, before the medication, also on the medication.  The neurologist recently released me for non compliance that I am still unaware of why.  I beleive they had figured out they had neglected me and also tried to cover their trail by telling an er dr that i had a psychological disorder, which i do not, a conversion disorder, there was nothing to convert from... and did not fit any of my symptoms except the paralysis, but no other very crucial details.  Currently just waiting for the TBI program to get the information they need to help me.  I wasn't diagnosed ever diagnosed of TBI, I was told that post concussion syndrome was a result of it and by a chiro he believed I had one and wanted me to see a neurologist.  If you do a search there is probably a TBI program for your state.  Hope this info helps, I rambled a lot and cut out that part.  Be Blessed!!

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

I suspect the numbness in the fingers of your hand are related to the trauma you have sustained; it could be from damage to the nerves to the arm (which pass from the spine the arm in an area called the brachial plexus.

Your episodes of arm symptoms are unusual. It is difficult for me to localize them without obtaining more information from you. If they are episodic, meaning they start in a specific place, spread down your arm, then go away within minutes, one concern I would have is a seizure. Seizures are not uncommon in people after TBI. Most seizures are convulsions, shaking-type episodes, however sometimes they can manifest as migrating sensation. Seizures are diagnosed with a brain wave study called an EEG; if an EEG is done during the episode and does not show seizure, then seizure is likely excluded. However, again, it would depend on the exact description of your symptoms as to whether or not this is possibly a seizure. however, this is something I suggest you discuss further with your neurologist.

The other thing that can cause intermittent arm numbness is radiculopathy: The spinal cord is encased by bones called vertebra. Nerves start to form as they come off the spinal cord and exit through holes formed between the vertebra. If a nerve is compressed on as it exits through these holes, particularly in an area called the nerve root, a radiculopathy results. The compression could be due to trauma or arthritis of the spine or due to a herniated disc or other lesions. The symptoms include pain or numbness at the level of the problem (i.e. neck or back etc) and pain that may radiate down the arm or leg (depending on where the problem is). The numbness may worsen in specific positions. In more advanced cases, muscle weakness or sensory symptoms such as tingling or numbness may occur. A radiculopathy is often diagnosed based on history, physical examination, and MRI of the spine.

Your symptoms could be due to a variety of things including a peripheral neuropathy related to your trauma as well. Without being able to examine you and talk to you it is hard to know if your symptoms are from the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system. However, I do recommend you see your neurologist at the next available appointment to discuss your symptoms further, after he/she examines you he can determine if the problem is coming from the brain (such as seizures) or your nerves as they exit the spinal cord, or the nerves in the arm, and can go from there in terms of what tests are necessary and what treatment is an option.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.