Tingly 3rd/4th fingers - nerve or circulation?

[hotpineapple]

Problem:
For about two weeks the 3rd and 4th fingers of my left hand have been mildly tingly. The sensation varies in degree frequently throughout the day but never really disappears. Sensation often extends down the middle of the palm - in the area where if you were to draw a line from the 3rd and 4th fingers straight to the bottom of the hand.

It does NOT extend to the wrist, and symptoms have not worsened. I am not dizzy or lightheaded and I can move my fingers and left hand fine. No pain. I have a mild to moderate headache right now but that might be because I'm stressed about this.

Tingly sensation worsens with pressure on the brachial artery in the upper arm, and also worsens upon straightening of the elbow. Tingliness is most severe with outstretched arm and wrist/fingers stretched backwards. I took up to 600mg of ibuprofen to see what would happen - it seems to respond but not sure because severity of tingliness goes up and down on its own throughout the day anyway, so it may not have been the ibuprofen.

Background:
I was on the pill for about 4 months but stopped immediately once these sypmtoms appeared, having taken twice the dose for 4 days before symptoms began. High cholesterol (has always been and runs in family) and slightly high triglycerides, but excellent cholesterol ratio. 28 year old female of average weight and normal blood pressure. I have a ton of kidney stones. Currently taking two different antibiotics (was on only one when symptoms appeared) and decided to take 100mg aspirin a day when symptoms began...just in case. The aspirin doesn't really have any effect on symptoms. Diabetes runs in family too, though as far as I know I don't have it.

I have no recollection of injury to the area or to the left arm. The closest thing is bumping my funny bone several times quite hard in years past, and the tingly sensation in the two fingers is very similar to the "shock" you get from bumping that nerve. For the past several years, my funny bone aches from time to time but not so much recently.

Question:
Is this more likely to be a circulation-related problem (stroke, thrombosis, etc.) or a pinched nerve problem (Carpal Tunnel, etc)?

[Echarleb]

I am an Occupational Therapist and if you are just getting the sensation in 3rd and 4th digits that points to ulnar nerve problem. Not Median nerve which happens in carpal tunnel. Look into nerve impingement and entrapment of ulnar nerve.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How old are you?
I think if you have similar problems then the likely diagnosis would be Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.
If still the diagnosis by a health professional is in doubt you can take help of Nerve conduction study to detect any functional irregularity.
Electromyography studies can help rule out proximal injury to the median nerve or identify peripheral neuropathy.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[lalala28]

i am having a very similar problem........same symptoms

[JainMD]

Hi,
What is your name? How old are you?
I think it is related to nerve being pinched along its course.
As you rightly said, it could be due to Carpel Tunnel.
Your symptoms are related to median nerve distribution.
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel.
Have you seen any doctor so far for these symptoms?
CTS can be diagnosed accurately by careful history and physical examination, inspection for thenar atrophy, and detection of sensory disturbance via light touch or a pinwheel
I would be interested to know what doctor has to say about this.
Keep me informed.
Bye.