Help for numbness/weakness in both arms

[dustyrose15]

69yrs old. Fibromyalgia 22yrs, polymyalgia approximately 4 yrs (finally diognosed 1 yr) Migraines 40+ yrs, anterior ischemic optic  neuropathy 10yrs rt eye, 2yrs lt eye.
Since 2005, suffered "episodes" of sudden onset of numbness/weakness both arms, accompanied by "tghtness" around lower rib cage-radiating from mid-back spine.
Dec. 2005, lasted approx. 20 minutes,family called ambulance, thought I was having heart attack.  After  complete cardiac workup, nuclear stress test etc, lab work results--showed only a VERY low potassium level.
Have been on prescription potassium since.
After diognosis of polymyalgia a yr ago--was "finally" put on prednisone--for 6 mo. (f I had been given this med after floss of vision in right eye, I would not have lost vision in lt eye, however doctors would not prescribe it)
During the 6 months on the prednisone, I did not have any of these "episodes"--felt like a human being for first time in years!  Since weaning off the prednisone in Dec 2007, I have had 7 "episodes" lasting from a few seconds to 8 minutes.  I have seen 2 neurologists--one told me "since I was NOT a surgery patient I was wasting his time", the second did a nerve conduction study, I have carpel tunnel syndrome on both sides He was the one to diognose the polymyalgia and order the prednisone.  MRI cervcal spine showed degeneration in the discs, with one very close to the spine.
I am certain that these episodes are coming from my neck, and the "tighness is coming from my mid-uppper spine--I can feel them coming on, almost like a "wave".  Never when I am doing anything strenuous.

Please help! Frustrated, depressed---after so many years of "hurting" from FM, loss of eyesight (and no one listening to me, pain in shoulders and hips only at night.

Thank you,

Mrs. Rose  Van Alstyne
Fulton, NY
***@****

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
I am really sorry to read that you are suffering from so many health problems. The numbness in the arms is the result of a combination of factors. They are- Polymyalgia, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Fibromyalgia and degeneration of disc. The stiffness and tightness of muscles is mainly due to Polymyalgia and Fibromyalgia. There is no specific treatment for these conditions. A combination of medications (muscle relaxants, pain killers, antidepressants, steroids), physiotherapy and exercises, massage, warm compresses may help to relieve the symptoms. Lyrica has proved to be very effective medication for treatment of muscle stiffness. Numbness may reduce after physiotherapy. Please discuss the treatment plan with your neurologist and rheumatologist. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!

[Dianque]

Hi.  I am dianque.  I am 62 years old and have a 10 year history of fibro and poly along
with other problems.  I was on steriods for 9 years and during those 9 years had a
weight gain of over 30 pounds and had to have cataract surgery in left eye.  I am wondering, however, since you were diag. with poly, if you didn't have Giant Cell, that
may cause a loss of vision.

Moving right along, the poly has come back with a vengence.  My CRP count is 60, my
sed rate is 30 and I have a minor bladder infection.  The fibro is under control with my
Cymbalta and along with restarting Pednisone, she also gave me Methtroxate 2.5 mg.
x 8 pills once a week.  This last medicine was prescribed because she knew I didn't
want to go back on Prednisone.  This metho is for cancer patients and she said that
in some people, poly stays with that person in the form of flare-ups, which I am having.

She also reported of a low vitamin of D and Folic Acid.  So, I have to take those. It is hard
to understand why this has to happen but I agree with them that say it is partly genetic.
I remember my grandmother being riddle with pain.  She was also diabetic.  My cousin
has the diabetes and I have the fibro and poly.  

Right now, the pain in both shoulders is awful.  I have limited amount of motion and they
hurt all the time.  Night time is a different matter.  But since I had restless legs, I was
put on requip and it has done wonders.  After my shower/bath, I rub on a balm that is
meant for nighttime from Avon (I am a rep) and take my requip and in a few minutes I am
asleep.  You never know what you can do until despiration makes you try things and by
trial and error, you keep searching, like I did.  Oh, I stilll have the pain, but I can deal with
it and the balm helps me and sooths me.

I can see why you are upset.  Watch for other comments and read about what they are
doing and then go from there.  And remember, you can "fire" a doctor.  After all, you pay
them to help you, not insult you.  I've had to do that on several occassions.

Good luck,
dianque