Shoulder Pain and Nerve Pressure

[ellenc]

I have been having increasingly more noticeable numbness, tingling and pain in my left arm and hand. Simultaneously, I have been experiencing numb feelings in my other hand and in my feet. I have had a battery of tests to rule out AL, MS and PN
(brain and cervical MRI's, evoked potentials, EMG, nerve conduction) as well  as blood work galore, all normal. My Dr. now thinks there may be something pressing on my cervical area that is pressing against the nerves in that area. My question is; could contiued pressure on this area casue the symptoms I am having? Could it interupt my circulaton to the point that  it would affect my feet and hands ? I am at a loss, and getting totally frustrated . The Dr. did order a spiral CT scan of the area with contrast,and I will have results next week. Also, he did note that my pulse was diminished/absent when he held my left arm over my head. Please help, I have been living with this for over a year. Also, do you think I can safely stop worrying about MS? Thank you.

[steve]

I have disc rupture at c5-6 and c6-7.  My pain is mostly in the neck and shoulder, but my hands are numb to a degree.  My doc told me to NOT use a chiropractor as those types of spinal manipulation would only aggravate an already inflamed nerve.  Have you tried traction?  The device is cheap, it hangs on a door and lifts your head to separate the vert. and remove pressure.  Ask your Doc.

[steve]

Lana, I have cervical disk ruptures at c5-6 and c6-7.  I had my life wrecked by a chiropractor, stick with real science.  My doctor told me (unneccesarily after my previous chiro experience) not to have any spinal manipulations of any sort, as they can aggravate the nerves that are already inflamed.  Have you tried traction?

[ellenc]

DO you think the cervical pressure could cause the leg/hand problems, too? Please advise, I am becoming desperate for help. WHat should I look for in a chirpractor? What further tests should I have?  What treatments should I request? Thank you.

[ChiroDoc]

Yes it is in your cervicals. You may want to get a through exam by a Chiropractor with a series of treatments.

[ellenc]

Thank you all. Yes, TOS is EXACTLY what my PCP is thinking of, now  that I've asked! And, I have also requested a lyme test, as wll as inquiry into Chronic Fatigue. Judy, my heart goes out to you....I will keep you in my thoughts. PLEASE post when you return from the Clevland Clinic, OK? I will be watching.

Again, thanks to all, if I find an answer I will post. God bless us all, and let's hope we all feel better soon.

[Michael Bullers]

Have you discussed either lyme disease or some other tick borne virus with your doctor.  There is a new test that has just been developed by BBI North America.  (1-800-866-6254)  This test is supposed to be pretty good at determining lyme and other tick borne viruses.  What do you have to lose?

[Anonymous]

You may want to do an internet search for "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" also known as TOS. I have read about this condition and if I recall correctly, some of your symptoms seem to fit with its pattern.

Good luck...

[Judy - Follow-up question]

Hi Lana,

I am very sorry to hear about your problems. Although, selfishly I must admit that it is nice to know I am not alone. You and I are in very similar positions. I am searching for the cause of numbness, tingling and some pain. Mine includes my face, scalp, roof of mouth, both hands, feet, buttocks, below shoulder blades. I have had just about the same tests and nothing can be found to explain the symptoms. They have found DDD, c5/6 herniation, but not touching anything, atlantoaxial instability, but they say nothing explains what I am describing. I also have rheumatoid arthritis which complicates things.

I have been searching for the cause since July 1999. I have seen PCP, rhuematologist, 2 neurologists, neurosurgeon, dentist. All say that they just don't know the cause.

I have made an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. I hope and pray they can help. I hope to have an answer by end of November. It seems like a long time, but not really compared to the 14 months I've been looking.

If you find out the cause of symptoms, please post back on this topic. I will do the same. Perhaps, it will give the other one an idea to pursue.

I hope you are feeling better soon, me too.

[Emily Ann]

Thanks you for your reply. May I ask, What are DVT's?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Lana:

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms.  Since all of your tests are normal, including MRI of brain and cervical spine, EMG, EP studies, and lab work, one would be hard pressed to say that you have MS.  This would be especially true since you are not telling me that your symptoms are waxing and waning.  I am not sure why your physician is looking at a CT scan when the MRI scan is normal and not showing foramenal changes or disc changes.  The wide spread areas of both hands and feet would suggest either a severe spinal column problem (the MRI should have shown an obvious abnormality) or a systemic problem (the EMG should have been positive in a neuropathy, and lab work positive for a systemic disease).  Having no abnormalities leaves me stumped.

A vascular problem might cause parasthesias, but it would have to be wide spread to cause both feet and hand numbness.  Justing losing pulse with raising of the arm does not answer the lower extremity numbness (this test is pretty non-specific).  You do not tell me of vascular problems such as DVTs, Raynauds, clotting problems, etc. so I would not think this is taking place.  

Sorry, I am at a loss-given the information at hand.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD