Carpal tunnel affecting whole arm?

[DoItTooJulia]

I'm having a weird problem with my right arm. It's really difficult to describe, but I get an episode where I can feel the sensation coming on and my arm is like a dead weight. It's sore and just feels really uncomfortable and odd. Sometimes it's so bad I can't sleep with it. Then it goes sometimes the next day.

I'm wondering if it's connected to Carpal Tunnel, which I've had on and off since my first pregnancy 12 years ago.

I've been to see my GP, and she's ordered nerve conduction tests which I had today. But I'm wondering if it could be carpal tunnel related?

[TweedAddict]

Ulna nerve paulsy? Sounds like it, or an issue with a nerve with a nerve in your neck and its triggering in your arm. Nerve pain sucks but in a lot of cases something can be done.

[AhAgain]

Hi

It could be - my mother had terrible carpal tunnel problems and it did effect her whole arm during several very bad episodes.

[TryingtobePrepared]

My carpal tunnel at its worst sounded like yours. Got loads better after a DSE assessment at work and physio sessions. Am much more aware now and swear by pilates preferably with a teacher who is also a physio good luck hope it improves

[Bluecarrot]

My left arm currently feels like this and I suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. I'm seeing a chiropractor in a few days and I'm hoping he can do something to help- I'll update with any positive news!

[DoItTooJulia]

Yes please Blue

So it's not an outlandish connection then? The results take two weeks to get to my GP, I wonder what the treatment options are going to be: ibuprofen doesn't really help.

[CMOTDibbler]

If its your whole arm, then its more likely to be a problem at your neck, as carpal tunnel only compresses the nerves at your wrist.
When I've had nerve conduction tests, they told me there and then what they found - but that may be due to my weird problems!

[DoItTooJulia]

So the gp surgery had rung me and want me to see a Dr. The test results normally take 2 weeks, so I'm guessing there's a problem!

[DoItTooJulia]

*has rung.

[TweedAddict]

Any news op?

[DoItTooJulia]

Ah, nice of you to check back.

I have an appointment on Monday to discuss the results. (They couldn't fit me in for two weeks-so I don't think it's terribly urgent!).

The bruises from the EMG are still visible and painful-especially the ones on my hand and forearm.

I'll report back with the results when I have them.

[Bluecarrot]

Ok, so I've had 2 appointments with chiropractor. First one made my pins and needles worse but second treatment improved them. All the work is done at my neck.
I still have CTS but it's not constant st the minute.
GP only refers me for physio which is taking forever and since I'm pregnant they just give me straps for it and some exercises anyway, so not worth it.

[DoItTooJulia]

I'm back from the GP. Tests showed CTS but nothing to explain the feeling in my arm. I've had it pretty bad at the weekend and for the first time, in my other arm.
So I'm being sent to see a neurologist. Apparently there's a long wait, so in the meantime I've been prescribed amitryptiline (sp?) for the night time.

Blue would you recommend a chiropractor? I'm considering anything that might help!

[PollyPerky]

I had bad RSI like CTS and was told that it starts in your neck and ends in your hand. I think (?) this was a physio who told me this. I had to be very careful over posture at the pc and also now I use a special mouse mat which supports my wrist so there isn't so much of an angle using the mouse.

I paid for physio privately- something like £60- and only needed 1 session for assessment and advice.

[Nikki170786]

I have suffered with this quite badly during this pregnancy. The only thing I have found that helps me is running my wrist (the bad one) under very cold water for a minute (warning: it does bloody hurt) then keeping a hot water bottle over the wrist and hand afterwards. Alternate this throughout the day. It helps it to go away. I am 25 weeks today and have so far had it twice during this pregnancy, its been very painful but doing the above it hasn't lasted more than 24hrs. Hope it may help