Hand/Finger Hyper-sensitivity, Disc Bulging, Arm Pain

[chris595]

I posted in May 2006, and now I'm back.  History:  Feb. 2006 onset of neck pain, radiating down arm to finger tips, numbness and hyper-sensitive hand.   Well...out of desperation, had CTS release in July.  Helped forearm mostly, but problem continues with hand.   Especially hyper-sensitivity to hand and index finger 24/7.    Saw Spine Surgeon last week.  Said surgery was 50/50 chance of helping.   I said no surgery with those odds.  He set me up with Pain Management referral, and now I'm waiting for that appt.  Also said depending on PM results, I might be seeing him again for surgery re-evaluation.      MRI shows 3 bulging and protruding cervical disks, plus narrowing and a spur,  and hand surgeon diagnosed me with a "double crush".   Spine Surgeon continues to stay with same diagnosis.  I'm not sure what to expect from Pain Management Doctor, or what I should be doing next to remain proactive.  I'm just tired of all this.  Why would my hand and index finger remain hyper-sensitive all this time?  It hurts to use my hand, but I have to.

W/C medical opinion:   Spine Surgeon said 50/50 because I'm Workers Comp.   Said this was factual.  I don't agree and felt he was biased.  What studies have been done on this regarding surgery outcomes with W/C vs. Non-W/C?   I'm working and not a deadbeat, but he sure made me feel like scum.   Good surgeon but lousy bedside manner.  

Thank you.

[angelkaz]

Hiya hun,

I'm sorry to hear all about the trouble you've been having.I suffer from a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) and the hypersensitivity, numbness and pain (does it feel like a burning pain and you feel like it's on fire from the inside out)all sound very similar to what I have.
I also get colour changes of my arm and leg (it originally started in my left arm after I broke a bone) and they can be either normal colour,red or a blueish colour.I also have temp changes so it feels hotter or colder than the unaffected side.The hypersensitivity can be so bad that at times even clothes rubbing on a slight breeze blowing on my arm or leg will cause me a lot of pain.
I also get swelling,muscle spasms,increased hair and nail growth on the affected limbs.
I really hope that the pain Doc can help you out with what is causing these problems for you.

Kaz x

[chris595]

Thank you for your reply Kaz.   The sensitivity is so bad with me that I can't touch my hair while showering.  It's like electrical currents run through my hand 24/7.  I've tried to de-sensitize hand by rubbing on my clothing, or a towel.  This is very painful.    My affected hand feels slightly warmer than the other hand, and is also stiff.  Swelling comes and goes, and it does turn from a light shade of purple, to almost pure white.  I am extremently senstitive to cold, but not so much to heat.  It feels good to wash dishes or soak my hand in warm water.  Hand Doctor told me already I don't have RSD, and this is probably coming from neck.  Spine doctor didn't say much about anything, just kept talking into his dictation machine.   I guess I'll just wait and see what Pain Doctor says.   I hope I don't have to live like this forever.   Someone out there should know what's causing this, and how to fix it.    Surely I'm not the only person in the world who has had this.  Thanks again.