Do I need to see the GP? Fingers going numb/tingling/weakness.

[DoctorStrange]

My GP surgery only does emergency appointments and this doesn't seem like an emergency, hence my confusion!

This has been going on for a month now, I was hoping it would resolve itself . The problem is with the 4th and 5th fingers on my right hand - originally if I had my elbow bent at or over 90 degrees for over a minute they'd get pins and needles and eventually go numb.
It's now gotten worse so that if my arm is ever out of one specific position I get the pins and needles and the fingers go numb about 20 seconds later. If I don't 'catch it' quickly and get into the right position to stop the numbness my fingers go into spasm and I can't move them. They also (seemingly randomly) feel either freezing cold or burning. I'm being woken up every 20-30 minutes overnight by it.

It's certainly annoying and if my GP surgery did 'normal' appointments I would have (tried) to book to be seen by now - the fact that they only do emergency ones is putting me off.

Yes you need to see GP.

Yes, you need to see a doctor and unfortunately, if there is no way at all to book a routine appointment then you'll have to take an urgent one. You are describing some sort of nerve dysfunction so you will need to have that investigated and the only way to do that is via a referral from the GP.

Google ulnar neuropathy.

Also google cubital tunnel syndrome

Yes! I had a prolapsed (slipped) disc, tow in fact, in the top of my spine that caused exactly this prob, but with shooting pains down the arm too which led to me not being able to use my hand at all in the end. If you're being woken up every half hour, this is severe. Some people would even call an ambulance for this. We all have a different view of urgent of course, but we have a free NHS and you are important and this sounds bad, so yes, get that emergency appt in now.

Please do. My relative had been experiencing numbness in her arm (not as you describe) & she's been diagnosed with breast cancer :(

Thanks all .

Symptoms definitely fit with cubital tunnel syndrome, which it doesn't seem like they can do much for in terms of treatment. I'll try and get an appt - you have to ring at 8am on the day you want one, and they're usually all gone by 10 past which makes it difficult to organise around work.

The being woken due to pain overnight has been going on for months after a knee injury skiing - I saw the GP after that and she told me it was just a sprain and to take some ibuprofen but it's still bad after 7 months so I should probably try and get a second opinion on that too. It's only in the last month that it's not been my knee 100% of the time, and is now a combo or either knee pain or this hand issue!

If you turn up at 8am the doors may be open.... that's how it was at ours : you could turn up from 7.30am.

Another google for you:thoracic outlet syndrome.

It does sound like carpal tunnel syndrome. But yes, I would go just to rule out anything more - x

Just to add - I had similar with my legs. The dr diagnosed it as peripheral neuropothy - x

Yes, I would class it as urgent, hope you have managed to get an appointment today.