Hello everyone
Two weeks ago i woke up with a stiff neck and a very sore right side occipital ; took some painkillers , all good untill next morning when again I needed help to get up , the pain went down my shoulder blade , took painkillers but didn't help; could only sit up , agonising pain when walking , couldn't sleep in the night . Rang the clinic for an appointment , told them I'm in a lot of pain, they said they'll get the doctor to ring me back for a phone consultation.
The doctor said she couldn't help me , and she will give me stronger painkillers( zydol and paracetamol) and she will refer me to a specialist ,asked when she said she doesn't know maybe next week ...Got zydol and paracetamol, with no luck .. constant horrible pain , day and night , next day been to a phisiotherapist(private), felt much better , in the night ... back to start again , another sleepless night(of course for my husband too).
Next morning decided to go to a hospital hoping I'll get some help , they said why you came here , go to your GB , this is not life threatening , however they gave me some different painkillers (codeine and paracetamol and diclofenac ). Still in pain .
The pain became worst , cramps in my shoulder blade joint , going down on my arm and my second and third finger became numb and having pins and needles
After a week started to improve , heat helped a lot , pain still in my right shoulde tho and my fingers still numb . Someone called me from a hospital and booked me in for a scan on 13th of november.
My question is ... will I ever get back my sensation in my fingers? Did someone had a similar problem ? I can't work with two numb fingers , all I feel is pins and needles , this job (as you all know ) it is based on sense of touch ...
I apologise for the long post and thank you in advance for taking your time to read and maybe answer .
xx
Have a look on youtube at "the fuzz speech" by gil hedley (contains images of cadavers) he will explain what is happening under the skin, you need to then take resposibility to start moving the area, GP is the worst option for musclular/ skeletal conditions, a well trained remedial masseur, or sports therapist will solve the symptom and address the cause which is more than likley posture related
regards
BGFL
Hi Cheshire Cat,
All the symptoms you describe, stiff neck, right side occiptal, pain in shoulder blade and tingling in fingers could be the cause of Carpal Tunnel or other symptoms like bursitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow. Carpal Tunnel is becoming a serious problem for many people, especially with computer use and using the right wrist and hand to direct the mouse. Have you moved your computer or keyboard lately? Are you slumping over when at the computer? This can affect the neck area. Is your keyboard too high or too far out of reach? Carpal tunnel is generally the cause of nerve compression (and less blood flow to the hands) causing tingling in the hands and numbness in fingers.
I am surprised your doctor and the hospital turned you away. I would definitely go back to your doctor and have this checked out. If these symptoms just started you could avert having to have surgery down the road or cortisone shots to release the pain and constriction. But first you need to find out the cause. If your doctor isn't willing, then maybe you should find another doctor.
Let us know what you find out.
Hi Cheshire Cat,
Some comments... Firstly the numbing/pins & needles in your 2nd and 3rd fingers indicates it could be a problem with your median nerve. Secondly given that your pain journey started in your neck coupled with the fact that you are experiencing pain in the shoulder says to me that the problem could be coming from median nerve compression at the cervical nerve roots (as opposed to at the bracchial plexus, elbow or carpal tunnel sites). The median nerve is derived from the C5-T1 nerve roots. Since the nerve roots also contain fibers for other peripheral nerves, symptoms of compression at the nerve root level may extend outside the commonly mapped area for median nerve sensory involvement.
What is causing the compression? Could be a number of things; herniating disc, a vertebra stuck in rotation, facet syndrome, muscle spasm etc. Normally I would say get it checked out by a reputable osteopath, cranial osteopath or chiropractor. But given the severity of your symptoms, a scan (and xray) of your cervical and thoracic vertebrae first is definitely a good place to start.
Hope this helps with your understanding. Please do let us know what the scan reveals.
Kind regards
Henry
Hi Cheshire Cat,
All the symptoms you describe, stiff neck, right side occiptal, pain in shoulder blade and tingling in fingers could be the cause of Carpal Tunnel or other symptoms like bursitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow. Carpal Tunnel is becoming a serious problem for many people, especially with computer use and using the right wrist and hand to direct the mouse. Have you moved your computer or keyboard lately? Are you slumping over when at the computer? This can affect the neck area. Is your keyboard too high or too far out of reach? Carpal tunnel is generally the cause of nerve compression (and less blood flow to the hands) causing tingling in the hands and numbness in fingers.
I am surprised your doctor and the hospital turned you away. I would definitely go back to your doctor and have this checked out. If these symptoms just started you could avert having to have surgery down the road or cortisone shots to release the pain and constriction. But first you need to find out the cause. If your doctor isn't willing, then maybe you should find another doctor.
Let us know what you find out.
I am also very surprised at the unhelpful attitude. Anything that causes loss of sensation needs to be investigated. I also feel you need to make a fuss at your doctors - see another member of the practice if you can.
Another two more weeks
Hello everybody !
And thank you all for your replies!
So 13th of november came and I thought (silly me) that finally I will have at least a scan..maybe a diagnostic.. but instead I;ve got a 5 minutes consultation and another two more weeks to wait to get a scan(MRI).
Hello everybody !
And thank you all for your replies!So 13th of november came and I thought (silly me) that finally I will have at least a scan..maybe a diagnostic.. but instead I;ve got a 5 minutes consultation and another two more weeks to wait to get a scan(MRI).
And how is your pain? Did you get any sensible answers at all?
Hi and thank you all for you replies, much appreciated.
The pain is still there but not as bad as it was.
I've just been back for my results and its caused by disc herniation at C6-C7.
The report says "There is moderate right foraminal narrowing with impingement of exiting nerve root".
They have recommended surgery and I'll be going for an initial consultation at the end of January. It sounded like the best option for getting the sensation back in my fingers, as they are still numb.
Thanks and any comments are welcome
x
Hi and thank you all for you replies, much appreciated.
The pain is still there but not as bad as it was.
I've just been back for my results and its caused by disc herniation at C6-C7.
The report says "There is moderate right foraminal narrowing with impingement of exiting nerve root".
They have recommended surgery and I'll be going for an initial consultation at the end of January. It sounded like the best option for getting the sensation back in my fingers, as they are still numb.Thanks and any comments are welcome
x
While I know surgery is an option, It might be worth consulting a chiropractor or osteopath to see if they think they can do anything. Ultimately surgery ,ay well be best in the long term.
I have had surgery on my lumbar spine - and the relief from pain was amazing! Good luck
Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone!
I have an appointment next month at Salford Royal with a Neurosurgeon to discuss the operation. Does anyone have any experience of having had this kind of operation (for a herniated disc C6-C7) or know anything about it? I'm wondering what questions to ask the Neurosurgeon when I see him. Is this a common operation? I'm a bit nervous about it as I'm 43 and I've never had surgery.
Thanks for reading x
Hello and Merry Christmas to everyone!
I have an appointment next month at Salford Royal with a Neurosurgeon to discuss the operation. Does anyone have any experience of having had this kind of operation (for a herniated disc C6-C7) or know anything about it? I'm wondering what questions to ask the Neurosurgeon when I see him. Is this a common operation? I'm a bit nervous about it as I'm 43 and I've never had surgery.
Thanks for reading x
It isn't uncommon - and is best done by a neorosurgean rather than an orthpedic surgeaon IMO.
Ask what they expecvt the op will do for you, what the risks of the op are, and how long it will take you to get back to normal activity. Also ask if there may be any long term restrictions on what you can do post op, Make sure they know what YOU want to happen, and what YOU are hoping the o will acheive for you.
Alos ask if there are any alternatives to surgery and what the outcome will be if you DON'T have the op, Surgery is only worth having if the benefits to YOU outweight the potential risk.
It is natural to be nervouse about surgery - and the surgeon will understand that. But go prepared with all yoru questions written down so you don't forget anything. And do NOT be afarid to ask lots of questions.
Good luck