Back problems or Parkinsons?

[Busymale]

Can C4 and C5 being stenotic cause hand numbness, twitching, tremors and spasms?

I have also other problems with my back:

c3/c4 causes minimal flattening of the cord
c5/c6 cuases cord compression and both are stenotic, the right being virtually totally occluded.
Large posterior bulge at D7/8 causing slight compression of the right side of the cord.
Minor posterior disc bulges at D2/3/4.
Shallow posterior disc bulges at several levels. Minor narrowing of left L4/5 foraen, not of clinical significance.

Help, I fear I may have Parkinsons!

[Busymale]

Thanks for your contributions.

I don't have any of the rigidity of Parkinsons as yet, but of course things develop. I started getting problems in mid September 2010 and they developed to spasms throughout my body from the last week of December to tremors in the last few weeks. The tremors in my right hand seem to appear when the hand begins to swell between the thumb and finger. I can be working at the PC or doing absolutely nothing when it comes. My hand gets heavy and its as though something had been inserted underneath the skin and it shouldn't be there. As I type, my hand is fine!

My "whole body" tremor only started last week during the night and I woke up as though I was having a mild epoleptic fit. I was lying on my left side. As soon as I stood up, it stopped! This morning I also felt what can only be described as a one second "Brrr" in my chest. A bit like a thump. I've had this before but only happens when I'm half asleep and it wakes me up.

I was lying on my back on the floor last week, and felt as though I was lying directly on a nerve. As I raised my arm my whole right hand and arm were zig zagging violently in the "no" fashion and it stopped as soon as I took the pressure off by sitting up. I get bad spasms on that spot under the shoulder.

My hands can be "trembly" whether I'm sitting on the couch, or a few weeks ago when I was socialising in the pub! I even felt my arm a bit trembly at an office meeting two weeks ago so it just seems to be there no-matter the situation. Again, as I write both are fine.

Probably worth stating I started this journey (September) by waking up from my sleep with both hands and arms frozen as if I had been lying on them - which I hadn't! I was passed okay for a blood test for vitamin deficiency.

At night I can wake up with numbness restricted to my palm, pinkie and wedding finger, (or exclusively the pinkie), or it can apply to both hands at the same time, next night shift from one hand to the other or affect the parts normally associated with Carpal tunnel - and the other bits are okay. Basically its at random as to what hand(s) it affects, and which fingers. Or as I say it can apply to both at the same time. I'm not going nuts honest - there is simply no consistency to this.

I also have a constant "feeling" on the base left side of my left foot which is like electricity "knocking" on the bone. It's not my pulse as it's much faster and not in rythmn with it.

I am getting fitted with insoles this week as my feet are swollen and its put down to fallen arches. I do however have sore and sometimes heavy calves which is where I do get lots of spasms. These are worse when sitting or in bed relaxed. My Consultant has said he expects the heavy feeling to improve with the insoles.

I have been told I have "minor" nerve damage originating from my neck from electric tests.

Perhaps its worth throwing into the equation I was subjected to high stress levels from a previous employer which lasted over a year. I recall saying to my Brother at the time I'll be lucky if I come through this without any ill effects, and sure enough the week after that conversation this problem first showed.

My mother died of Parkinsons 4 years ago but we always put that down to an accident she had on a bus where she hit her head. To my knowledge she was the only family member who has ever had it - though I did find out my aunt (on the same side) was epileptic when she entered her 60's.

I'll be 50 in August, and have until now gone to the gym for 15 years and eat fairly heathily. I've had back problems for 20 years, and went to a Chiro 10 years ago and he damaged my neck. The Consultant who looked at the neck  X-Ray 7 years ago thought I'd got the condition through being a Boxer, or a car crash, or from playing Rugby as my neck injury was consistent with their injuries. In otherwords it was due to a bad accident - but I'd never been in one. I just know the Chiro was over zealous in his neck twisting in one occassion and I've never really recovered.

Help!

[MZ33]

I have been battling pain and twitching for 2 years.
The twitching started after my 2nd cervical fusion.
This was c5c6 and after countless test and terrible pain.
I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia.
Hope this helps.
MZ33

[Medchrome]

Your symptoms look more Neurological than that from parkinsonism.
Parkisonism has characteristic features like Rigidity of movement,marked slowness of action, postural dis-balance, resting tremor ( tremor present at rest ) .
By the way what is your age? Any one with Parkisons in relatives?

C4,5 are root of Brachial plexus of nerves that supply hands, so likely to be due to compression.

Check if your tremor is present at rest or during an action.

Tell me details so that i can help