Numb and tingling hands

[kazmina]

Both my hands have been numb and tingling for some months now and this affects all fingers, front and back of the hands and my wrists.  This started originally while I was pregnant 4 years ago and was dismissed as carpal tunnel without an examination. It eased off and was intermittent but is now constant and I have trouble doing every day tasks like pegging washing out, using cutlery as I am clumsy.  I went to my GP and am awaiting a nerve conduction study as that is the first thing he has sent me for.  What are the worst and best case scenarios please? Thank you

[caregiver222]

My goodness gracious. Sometimes credentials aren't everything. It depends on the individual practicioner. One thing I would avoid is ultrasonic treatment. It is commonly prescribed for some reason and the vibration only irritates and further inflames the nerve sheath. The axial traction, however, is an essential componant of recovery.

[kazmina]

Thank you, they sound exactly like the exercises that the physio was doing with me.  He sorted my neck/shoulder out but then my lower back started hurting instead and my hands got worse.  Do you think I would be best asking to be referred back to the physio rather than the neurologist?  Thanks

[caregiver222]

You can also use the following treatment protocol. Lie flat on your back on a rug and have someone apply axial traction. That is to say they grasp your head (gently) and pull you to as to separate the cervical vertebrae along the axis of the spine. They maintain the pull for a minute, then release, Wait two minutes and do this again. Generally a five-time session three mor four times a day is recommended, following by lying on the floor for several munutes followed by range-of-motion exercises. It is critical that you practicde posture and sit in a chair properly. Practice posture by placing your back against a wall and placing your head back so the spine through the cervical area is vertical.

[caregiver222]

Proper posture is definitely a componant in this syndrome. The "range-of-motion" exercises consist of forcing your head foward ahile remaining with your spine vertical and "rolling" your head around through the limits of discomfort. Five or six times performed four times a day. Sometimes before starting axial traction therapy physicians prescribe three days of prednisone, but this has fallen out of favor. The idea is to reduce the inflammation quickly. 400 mg of ibuprufin eight hours apart for two days should do the trick. Then 200 mg twice a day for four days.  The store bought kind comes in 200 mg.  Curiously, Metformin, the diabetic drug, sometimes provides relief because it affect osmolatity, which reduces pressure on the nerves. Fasting and keeping glucose levels within normal limits does the same thing. This can get worse and don't be afraid to exercise through the limits of discomfort. One problem is that people "self-splint" to avoid the numbness (and eventual pain) and end up with what is called a "frrozen shoulder".

[Gio77Italy]

your symptoms are too mild to be spotted on a nerve conduction study.

he could order MRI brain / cervical and when that is negative it can be due to another type of Immunological / Neurological issue.

blood pressure and poor blood circulation can be involved in peripheral neuropathy, it can worsen or trigger it.

[kazmina]

Thank you, that would make sense as my posture was badly affected when I was pregnant and I work in an office and have not been sitting correctly for a long time. I had to go to a physio last year as had bad pain and stiffness in my neck and shoulders.  He treated me and told me to sit better and then come to think of it this coincided with around the time my hands went permanently numb.  Hopefully the neurologist who I have been referred to for the nerve conduction study will diagnose easily.

[caregiver222]

Generally, your symptoms are consistent with spinal stenosis and poor muscle tone. This means the passageway through which the nerves are traveling in the cervical area is narrowed. I doubt this is carpal tunnel syndrome. Of course you need an MRI to rule out something really serious from a structural standpoint. Degenerative arthritis, for example.  A nerve conduction study seems pointless because from the areas affected the dermatome can be positively and easily identified. Look of the dermatomes for the hands on google. Treatment generally involves use of an axial traction device for five to ten minutes six to seven times a day. They cost about $35. Throw out the water bag that comes with the set.  Set it up so you gently lower yourself but are not fully suspended while hovering over a chair. Then range-of-motion exercises are prescribed as well as muscle tone exercises. The muscle tone exercises consist of placing a hand against the forehead, back of head, both sides, and in between those areas. Think each areas. Place the hand against those spots and force the head against them. Sit-ups are also helpful. Muscle relaxants and a cervical collar are contraindicated. Fasting helps a bit as well as keeping glucose levels down because of something called hyperosmolality.