For about 5-6 weeks I've had strange sensations in my left hand. It started with pins and needles and intermittent numbness. I also have horrible nerve pain, especially on contact with water - hot, cold or warm, even. Cold water (even brief contact) leaves me unable to feel my hand for at least half an hour after contact.
Weirdly, I have a sensation of pressure under the thumbnail too. No injuries, no damage to the nail or nail bed. No infection or fungal growth etc. My index finger feels similar. Both the 'pads' of the thumb and index finger are almost numb all the time.
Just recently I've developed a new symptom - my left hand occasionally goes into spasm and forms a tight fist which I can't release myself. I have to wait a few minutes for it ease off. Anyone who has suffered the agony of calf cramps in the middle of the night will appreciate the pain and intensity of these spasms. I feel it all down the inside of my wrist and forearm.
I've been referred for a nerve conduction study but it's not for over another 2 months. I'm not complaining - I understand and fully appreciate how stretched the NHS is. I've also had a CT scan of my head which didn't show anything concerning.
I've also had an ECG which was fine. I feel I'm wasting precious resources now.
My GP is perplexed. It is getting very rapidly worse and my GP thinks that carpal tunnel is unlikely given the rapid onset and deterioration.
I have two young children. Tasks I took for granted like changing a nappy or preparing a simple meal are becoming a huge challenge.
If anyone has any thoughts please feel free to add them. I am NOT looking for a diagnosis online but opinions, personal experiences or ideas from health professionals which may point me in a better direction would be great. Thank you!
PS. Please forgive me for highlighting in bold - I don't mean to shout or treat anyone like they're daft. I think it's a TL;DR post and many are likely to skip past that bit and suggest carpal tunnel as a possible explanation. Understandably!