Flustered

[LisaJF]

I went to my Neuro today because yesterday I had issues with my upper left arm feeling like a tight band (like blood pressure cuff width) or vice like grip going around it, accompanied by pins/needles from that band like area down to the tips of my fingers. Now it was days in the making and I decided to call my Neuro yesterday when it was at its peak (painful and I could not barely touch anything without discomfort.

I go to see him today and in the morning it was "slightly there" but I could tell it was on its way out. By the time I get there to see him, the only thing that was remaining was slight pins/needles.  

He made this remark that made me feel as though I made it up.

This symptom I get comes and goes (intermittent). Sometimes it goes on for days ( like 3 or 4) and sometimes it pops up during the day and goes away and comes back the next but or only a short duration. I do NOT understand why but I asked him if it could possibly be carpal tunnel.  He did some maneuvering and said no he does not think it is.  He also said it should cause that much pain.  

so he tested my reflexes, etc and off I went.

By the time I got to my car, I thought, "Oh shoot I forgot to ask for the prescription of lidocaine patches" So I called the office back en route to home and asked the secretary to have the doctor do so.

I didnt hear CVS calling me back a few hours later so I made another call.  The Neuro calls me an hour later and says I got the message and I don't feel the lidocaine patches will do anything for what you have, whatever you are having (mind you last night on telephone he said he thought it may be a MS exacerbation), but I was so sure CTS. (Carpal Tunnel)

Anyways, he wants me to go to this Pain Management doctor to get a second opinion on this "odd" and unsual syndrome that I have (now its odd?) and see what he comes up with.  Now I'm a bit upset that I'm being passed onto someone else. He refused to order me the Lidocaine patches.  I told him yesterday (on telephone when he called back) that if I had them, I'd trace my hand out on them and cut it out and place it on the palm of my hand and wrap the other squares around the other areas that are affected.  

What made me more upset is that Lidocaine patches are not a narcotic. I'm not drug seeking and yet he did not accommodate me. He said, "Well you said it resolved".  I said yeah for that moment but it comes back. It's intermittent and sometimes its fleeting and sometimes it lasts for days.  

Yesterday was the first day where it was really intolerable. But it is a symptom that has returned from before. Not like its "new".

Now what do I do? Call this pain management doctor for an appointment for...what? Drugs? or Diagnosis of what is going on? He did mention he felt that he was more experienced in these kinds of things.

WTF?

Any thoughts?

Lisa

[HVAC]

My Neurologist sent me to a Pain Specialist years ago. It is the best thing that ever happened. The Pain Specialist understands pain better than the Neurologist. I thought I was being blown off. Find the best Pain Clinic in town. They are not equal. I ended up at the worst because that is where the Doctor referred me. One of my other Doctors knew the best pain guy in town. It took months to get in. He spent two hours with me the first appointment. I have to do drug tests and all but that is normal.

My biggest problem with MS was pain. Now I have the Cancer and Cancer doctors do not give pain medicine. I am so lucky to have the care I have. It took over a year to get on the right medications. I got off a lot. Over the years different doctors added pain meds and no one took any off.

I am glad I got in when I did because now you can't get an appointment. I go once a month and see the PA. I really like her.

Alex

[doublevision1]

It does sound neuropathic, very similar to the banding/squeezing pain in my hand. I don't believe lidocaine would have any effect. A gradual increase in gabapentin would seem a logical approach to try.

Is medical cannabis legal where you live? You might find that brings some relief and you only take it when you need it, as opposed to gabapentin which you must take daily.

[supermum_ms]

Sheeesh Lisa that so doesn't sound like a picnic........knock on wood the only thing I have that's 'sort of similar' [though definitely not the same!] is also in my left arm.

Everyone basically knows that intense nerve, screaming pain feeling, numbness and tingling you get running up and down your arm, when ever you whack your funny bone on a hard surface, well i experience it with out the whacking part. For me hot weather seems to make it happen more often, but the pain is short lived compared to the numbness or tingles, which kinda goes with my left leg's tingly vibration :D

I hope your appointment gets bumped up soon! Let us know how you get on!

Hugs...........JJ    

[LisaJF]

Thanks Sarah for your comment and taking the time to do so.

I was not asking for pain medication (Narcotic), I asked for Lidoderm patches (Lidocaine) lol.  Hardly can overdose on that (well...if you leave it on for too long...) I would have settled for an increase in my Neurontin. But he doesnt want to do so, he feels that 1800mg is a LOT. Which maybe it is..but I do know you can go to 3600mg/day.  And if 1800mg is not cutting it...?

Anyways, fast forward:

I went to my primary and he ordered a cervical MRI w/wo contrast.  The insurance company of course dismisses the contrast part.  So off I went.

I got the copy of the CD and looked at it myself.  I found a couple of lesions around the C5-C7 area.  The report states a small purtrusion of the C4 that may be causing my left arm radiculopathy.    Failed to mention the obvious lesions there.  

Anyways, I got ordered Prednisone that day when I went to primary. On day 4, the left arm was better.  Day 5 I felt like brand new!  When tapered and off, it returned.  

Called the Pain Management and they said that the next available appointment was in December 22nd. (LOL).  So I called my Neuro's office today and left a message asking if he could talk/call/email whatever his means of communication (they are on the same floor) and move up the date since I felt (dripping with sarcasm) waiting 3 months in discomfort without any means of other ways to alleviate my pain issues and sensitivity issues to touch, he called back and said he left a message for him and his office will call me and make an earlier appointment.

Yay.

So, still dealing with this left arm thing.  The intensity comes and goes.  Sometimes it's just pins and needles, sometimes its pins/needles and burning, sometimes its pins/needles,burning and hand sensitivity. (add numbish feeling sometimes in different spots). They combine, single out or just all out go together.

I hope this is not going to last too much longer.

Thanks again Sarah.

Has anyone had this?

Lisa

[SarahL2491]

some neuro's won't give any pain medications, they want you to go to a pain clinic; I think HVAC on here has gone to a pain clinic.

I prefer a neuro who does his own total management, thus I don't use the one in town.

Perhaps someone will chime in, its the week-end, and as you know, sometimes slow….