Strange arm nerve problem??

[Ave Maria]

Hi everyone. I have been having a lot of trouble with my left arm lately. I actually have a lot of trouble with both arms as I have arthritis. I have also been known to have had at least one seriously painful incident of carpal tunnel syndrome in my right arm. Anyway, here's what is going on. I do a lot of computer work. I am a actually a Networker in training and spend probably 3/4 of my waking hours on my computer. Anyway, I will sometimes but my left elbow up on the desk so I can rest my head in my hand. Anyway, it seems like a lot of times when I put my elbow on the desk, I get this weird sensation go up my forearm to my hand. It feels kinda like a mild electrical shock or a numbing sensation that lasts a few seconds. It goes all the way up to my fingers. I am thinking that I have some kind of nerve problem in my elbow. Could anyone help me out with any possibilities as to exactly what is going on here? Is this a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome? I really don't know. When I had that incident of carpal tunnel in my left arm I basically had a severe pain my entire arm from hand to shoulder where I couldn't even pick up an inkpen without excruciating pain in it. And no, I didn't have a broken bone or a twisted muscle. The pain only lasted about 4 hours.

 

[brokenbananas]

Holly,

You probably should get that taken care of. You're way too young. I spend a lot of time on the computer. I did make sure that my workstation was ergonomic: chair height, arm rest, gel wrist pads, monitor height, etc. I also get periodic chiropractic adjustments for my arms, shoulders. I make sure to stretch out my arms, back, legs, neck regularly. I also massage the muscles in my arms and have a massage therapist help me in those areas.

When I've had a lot of excessive use, I try to ease off a bit and do other things that don't tax my arms as much. I also make sure during excessive use to ice down my arms. Make sure your nutrition is very good and that you get enough rest.

I used to experience some carpal tunnel issues, but now that I do these things I rarely experience pain in my forearms/arms.

Hope this helps,
Doris

 

[Ave Maria]

Thanks for the advice Doris. I really appreciate it. Unfortunately, I don't have any health insurance and can't afford to see a chiropracter or any other sort of specialist. I have thought about buying some of those wrist braces that are designed to support your forearm for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. I don't know if that would really help much though. Unfortunately, I use the computer a lot and I am actually a computer networker in training which means that I'll be on the computer for a good deal of the rest of my life. That's why I am so worried about this. I have heard of people before who have carpal tunnel syndrome so bad that they have to get surgery done and I really don't want that done. My Grandma had to get surgery done after she had a wreck and messed up her hand really bad. Unfortunately, the doctor only made it worse and now her fingers are permanently crippled and that makes it harder for her to use her hand. Turns out that the doctor must have accidently damaged a nerve or something. I don't want to take the risk of crippling my hands. My hands are way too important for me. My mom takes this supplement called Glucosamine Chondroiten for her arthritis and joint problems and it seems to help her. She also has carpal tunnel syndrome and she also experiences periodic episodes of extreme pain like I do. I have really only had one episode of the excruciating pain that I described above and that was a few years ago. It just happened all of a sudden and I couldn't even pick up something as light weight as an inkpen without my arm hurting so bad that it felt like it was going to just fall off or something. It almost felt like I was lifting a 50 pound weight with one hand or something which would definitely be a lot for me. I remember the pain being so bad that I actually wished I could just get my arms amputated because they were causing me so much pain and really weren't very useful to me at the time since I couldn't use them. Thank God that episode only lasted a few hours and was gone the next day. Now I am only afraid that I am about to experience another episode like that because of the problems my arms and hands have been having lately. Well, thanks again for the advice! I appreciate it.

 

[inHisgrip]

I would definitley suggest the wrist braces. I have carpel tunnel and my doctor has me wear the braces at night and it helps alot. Best of luck
In Him

 

[Ave Maria]

Oh ok. Thanks for the advice inHisgrip. My mom uses the braces occasionally.

 

[brokenbananas]

Holly,

It is your health. Many chiropractors are willing to help you workout a payment plan. You can talk to them about it. I know the 2 we go to treat my infant and toddler for free and they go monthly to get adjusted. Adults do have to pay, but many chiros get into this type of healthcare because they believe in a non-drug type treatment.

You can give yourself forearm massages or have someone do these for you. I would wait until the inflammation goes down. When massaging, I would massage down the arm from the elbow to the wrist, in straight lines, breaking up and tight spots. This may hurt to do, but it will help.

Ice it down. You can use baggies and fill them up with ice or buy at ice pack at Wal-Mart, they are not very expensive.

You can also do the stretching yourself. Extend your arm out in front of you. With your other hand, bend the hand of the outstretched arm back trying to touch the back of your hand to your arm (looks more 90 degrees). Feel the stretch? Hold for 20-30 sec. Now bend that same hand in the opposite direction towards the inside forearms. You can also do circles with your hands to help loosen those muscles in your wrist. Another exercise is taking a stress ball and squeezing your hands, loosening it, squeezing it.

You need to get the muscles in your forearm working and keep them flexible. This will mean you will have to rest. Is your company willing to fix your computer area so that it is ergonomic to you?

Ultimately, this is your health. You are so young to experience these kinds of problems and if you don't fix them now and figure out a way to avoid these problems, you're in for a world of hurt as you get older. I would take what extra money I have an set aside money for individual health insurance or emergency funds just in case you need to go to a doctor. You can always ask if you can workout special payment, financial arrangements ahead of time.

If you don't watch out for your health, most likely no one else is going to. You will be the one suffering. You're just too young for the surgery thing. This can be avoided, even if you are predispositioned for carpal tunnel. This just means you will have to work harder than someone who does not have these issues.

You'll have to be creative on how to resolve this. You may have to try to find another profession that's more health conducive to you. No job is worth your health, no matter how much it pays.

Blessings,
Doris

 

[hypocrite]

Generally speaking, the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be confirmed by electrophysiologic studies, mainly about Nerve Conduction Velocity, showing sensory or motor conduction velocity to be slowed at the wrist. Good Luck!

 

[fitmom]

Generally speaking, the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be confirmed by electrophysiologic studies, mainly about Nerve Conduction Velocity, showing sensory or motor conduction velocity to be slowed at the wrist. Good Luck!

Well, there you have it! I would see a Dr. Sometimes even shoulder injuries can present with 'electrical sensations' in the hands! Good luck, God Bless, J

 

[a servant of YHVH]

Greetings in the Matchless Name of YahShua [that's the name Jesus was called by His mom, dad, brothers, sisters, disciples and others who loved Him] !


The mention of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) always brings to fond remembrance Dr. John M. Ellis, M.D. (retired).
It was through the writings of Dr. Ellis that I learned how very simply that CTS can be handled. I've spoken with him from time to time through the years. A few weeks ago I called to touch base with him one more time after reading a news story on the Mayo Clinic and CTS.

What's up, Doc?

"One with carpal tunnel syndrome should first take 200 milligrams of vitamin B-6 every day for 90 days. If there is no response after that time then surgical options should be considered," Dr. Ellis told me. It was good to hear him sound so very robust at 87 years of age.

"In my experience I have found this regimen to provide a 90 per cent success rate," Dr. Ellis said.

That is saying a lot. The experience of Dr. Ellis with CTS goes back more than 40 years to 1961. It was then that he made the connection to vitamin B-6. He continued with this regimen until he retired in 1992 on the 50th anniversary of receiving his medical degree. That adds up to more than 30 years experience with CTS and vitamin B-6 with a 90 per cent success rate.

Good for the goose and gander

Dr. Ellis told me that he himself has taken 200 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily for more than 40 years. Many of his vitamin B-6 patients have passed the 100 years old mark. It won't surprise me at all to see Dr. Ellis do the same and will please me greatly to see that come to pass.

His 'Vitamin B6: The Doctor's Report' is one of my treasures. It is no longer in print and that is a tragic shame. It is one that I never loan out for it is too precious to risk losing. It covers far more than carpal tunnel syndrome.

Better yet

As for myself, I have never known a single case of CTS not responsive to vitamin B-6 going back almost two decades. Part of the 100 per cent success that I have seen might be due to not having seen as many people with CTS as Dr. Ellis. On the other hand, the success that I have always seen has usually been with only half as much vitamin B-6 or less than Dr. Ellis used, and always with results seen in less than 30 days.

Dr. Ellis experience was with what is called USP vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride). Man makes it in his laboratories out of petroleum. That is what is most commonly available everywhere. My experience has been with vitamin B-6 that is grown. It is not commonly available. There is a difference and the body knows it. Our bodies were designed for that which is grown (food) rather than for petroleum by-products (how about a spoonful of motor oil?).

The worst instance that I ever knew of was a woman with CTS for more than 5 years. She had been a factory worker for more than 20 years. This woman continually refused surgery. Both of her arms required special braces to be worn at almost all times. She even had to wear them in order to sleep.

After more than five years with CTS this woman received some relief in 30 days using 75 milligrams of grown (food) vitamin B6 daily. She doubled her intake to 150 milligrams and received more relief over the next 30 days. Complete relief for her came over the next 30 days with 225 milligrams of grown (food) vitamin B6 daily.

After some time she reduced her level back down to only 75 milligrams of grown (food) vitamin B6 daily. She continues as a factory worker in good health to this day.

Will they ever learn?

The recent article I read on CTS noted, "It's not understood why carpal tunnel syndrome is more common among women." If the folks at the Mayo Clinic would just study the works of Dr. Ellis, as well as that of another physician, Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D. out of UCLA, they would understand very well.

These two doctors showed that both pregnancy and menstruation bring about an increased need for vitamin B-6. Since men don't get pregnant or menstruate it should be very clear "why carpal tunnel syndrome is more common among women".

I have always noted this important detail to women with CTS, and that they may want to take a little extra vitamin B-6 at that time of the month. One woman who was very happy to avoid surgery for her CTS said she became annoyed when it suddenly started to flare up again. She told me that she then remembered what I told her about that time of the month. She realized that it was upon her and took a little extra vitamin B-6. Things went right back to normal for her again.

I am very thankful for the thorough work of Dr. John Ellis, and of Dr. Guy Abraham. It is a tragic shame that their work is so little known today.

Ahava b' YahShua
(Love in The SAVIOUR)
Baruch YHVH,

(Bless The LORD)


a servant of YHVH

 

[Ave Maria]

Holly,

It is your health. Many chiropractors are willing to help you workout a payment plan. You can talk to them about it. I know the 2 we go to treat my infant and toddler for free and they go monthly to get adjusted. Adults do have to pay, but many chiros get into this type of healthcare because they believe in a non-drug type treatment.

You can give yourself forearm massages or have someone do these for you. I would wait until the inflammation goes down. When massaging, I would massage down the arm from the elbow to the wrist, in straight lines, breaking up and tight spots. This may hurt to do, but it will help.

Ice it down. You can use baggies and fill them up with ice or buy at ice pack at Wal-Mart, they are not very expensive.

You can also do the stretching yourself. Extend your arm out in front of you. With your other hand, bend the hand of the outstretched arm back trying to touch the back of your hand to your arm (looks more 90 degrees). Feel the stretch? Hold for 20-30 sec. Now bend that same hand in the opposite direction towards the inside forearms. You can also do circles with your hands to help loosen those muscles in your wrist. Another exercise is taking a stress ball and squeezing your hands, loosening it, squeezing it.

You need to get the muscles in your forearm working and keep them flexible. This will mean you will have to rest. Is your company willing to fix your computer area so that it is ergonomic to you?

Ultimately, this is your health. You are so young to experience these kinds of problems and if you don't fix them now and figure out a way to avoid these problems, you're in for a world of hurt as you get older. I would take what extra money I have an set aside money for individual health insurance or emergency funds just in case you need to go to a doctor. You can always ask if you can workout special payment, financial arrangements ahead of time.

If you don't watch out for your health, most likely no one else is going to. You will be the one suffering. You're just too young for the surgery thing. This can be avoided, even if you are predispositioned for carpal tunnel. This just means you will have to work harder than someone who does not have these issues.

You'll have to be creative on how to resolve this. You may have to try to find another profession that's more health conducive to you. No job is worth your health, no matter how much it pays.

Blessings,
Doris

Hi Doris. Thanks again for the post. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know that I am unemployed. Anyway, don't feel bad about the mistake. Just wanted to explain so you could understand my situation better. Anyway, I am going to get one of those relaxation balls. I see them at various places and they seem to be pretty inexpensive so I might try it. If I can save up enough money, I might also get at least one wrist brace for my right wrist which is the one that seems to bother me the most. Thanks again!

 

[fitmom]

Remember, you don't know for sure if this is CTS! You need a diagnosis before treatment! J