Pinched nerve?

[monkey]

For the last several months my right arm has been going numb, falling asleep and my hands tingle. I wake up several times at night because it has fallen asleep, when I work on the computer at work it happens and when I am in certain positions at home (sitting on the couch)I thought it may be a pinnched nerve, but it has been going on for so long. Could it be a circulation problem? I quit smoking almost 3 months ago, so my circulation should be improved and I work out a couple of times a week, but am still overweight. Should I go to a Chiropractor, get a massage, see a doctor? Any advice is appreciated, it's making me crazy!

[Mysteefied]

Monkey, I am having this exact same problem, I keep waking up from my arm falling alseep, it's all tingly and it's not because I'm laying on it. Weird. I do have pretty bad arthritis. but I don't think that's it. If you find out, Please let me know.

[Coldwolf]

Chiropractor said mine was arthritis. same symptoms.

[TOT]

If you are interested in seeing a Chiropractor, Sierra Chiropractic Center is open this morning (Friday the 14th) until 1:30pm. We are closing early due to the holiday and will reopen Tuesday, April 18th.

559-683-5001

[monkey]

Originally posted by Coldwolf:
Chiropractor said mine was arthritis. same symptoms.
Dang! Not what I wanted to hear

Tot-I'm working today, but may be able to get in on Monday, I'll have to wait and see. Thanks!

[oakhurstleaf]

I think it could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Look into it. I have similar symptoms...and have for about 8+ yrs now...my brother had it too, and he had surgery and symptoms went away. My hand tingles and goes numb and creates an ache up to my elbow but felt in the forearm when I'm gripping something even lightly like an artist's paint-brush...watering with a hose, pushing a shopping cart, riding my bike. Hand and up to my elbow "fall asleep" when I'm sleeping and I have to shake it out. It doesn't happen instantly, just when the position, motion or grip is prolonged. It seems to flare up certain times of the month (hormonal swelling, I presume and it all began when I was pregnant with my 2nd child)...and the rest of the time is virtually non-existent. My brother's I think became a problem just with the nature of his work and repetitive motions.

Anyway, it sounds like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to me.

[monkey]

I feel it starting up at my shoulder then going down my arm, if that helps anyone diagnose me. If it is a pinched nerve, what can should I do?

[Dodgergirl]

Mine is in my shoulder, works it's way down my arm. Rhuematoid Arthritis. Diagnosed when I was 27. They wanna put steroids in, but so far, I haven't let them. It gets worse in cold, damp weather. I try not to sleep on that side, it tweaks it & hurts for a few hours after waking. The pain is mainly in the shoulder & elbow. When it does hurt badly, I'll sleep on the opposite side with a pillow under my elbow (keeping the arm and shoulder level) this alleviates a lot of the pain caused by pressure on the joints.
I also take tons of ibuprofen.

[Kim]

Monkey, you said your hands tingle? Do both of them, or just one?
Start by getting a neck and shoulder massage at a spa and see if that relieves your symptoms. If it does, even temporarily, it's a nerve problem. You would need a neurologist or a chiropracter, but (sorry Tot) try not to let a chiropracter go near your neck if it can be avoided. If the massage doesn't help at all, get referred to a rheumatologist.
Good luck, honey.

[monkey]

Thanks Kim, it's just 1 arm. I guess I will have to submit myself to a massage for purely medicinal purposes.

[Kim]

Sometimes health care sucks, doesn't it? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

[Summer]

Other things to think about are diabetes or clogged arteries. I don't have any numbness but I have the tingling on left side only - started out with just the arm (usually when I felt stressed) and now have it from head to toe, literally. Haven't had it investigated yet but I guess I should.

[oakhurstleaf]

Angina could give you a good ache in the arm...my dad was waking up nights with that. Seemed to mainly be a during-sleep, get you up quick problem. And stress seemed to make it more frequent. He sought medical attention...nitro-glycerin helped ease that problem.

Originally posted by Summer:
Other things to think about are diabetes or clogged arteries. I don't have any numbness but I have the tingling on left side only - started out with just the arm (usually when I felt stressed) and now have it from head to toe, literally. Haven't had it investigated yet but I guess I should.

[Summer]

Angina could give you a good ache in the arm...my dad was waking up nights with that. Seemed to mainly be a during-sleep, get you up quick problem. And stress seemed to make it more frequent. He sought medical attention...nitro-glycerin helped ease that problem.
Yes, this sounds very much like what I have. I have a friend who suggested this same thing also. It does happen during sleep, sometimes I am scared that this is the end and get up, walk around, etc. I am presently on atenolol and if I miss a day or two I feel it. I'm really thinking angina is the prob. Rapid heartbeat and tingling on left side.

[Kim]

Angina is more directly related to stress or exertion. A rapid, irregular heart beat is a symptom, and although I am by no mean discounting any of your symptoms, I seldom see it brought on by sleep, which tends to lower your heart rate and relax your systems. Summer, atenlol is a beta blocker which regulates your heart rate and absolutely you will feel symptoms when you miss a dose. Although Monkey should look at all of her symptoms and not rule anything out, angina is most commonly brought on by exercise, which depletes oxygen to the heart and causes pain. An EKG or a treadmill would be a good idea. But I would be surprised if angina was the culprit.

[monkey]

Ok, i guess I hafta get a massage on Monday (sigh). It probably wouldn't hurt to get a facial while I'm there, oh and maybe a manicure. Think I can write it all off on my taxes for medical expenses? http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Kim]

Absolutely. A facial will check whether you have any Bell's palsy, and your peripheral circulation can only be improved, as well as assessed more easily, with a manicure.
All of us should take care of ourselves as well as you do, Monkey. You're my muse http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/idea3.gif

[monkey]

Next you are gonna tell me I hafta sit in the hot tub with a glass of red wine http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif

[Kim]

After an evening listening to some good music!!!

[monkey]

What a great day! I started with a facial, (no Bell's palsy) then I had a wonderful massage, got a manicure and had hair colored and cut. Unfortunately, my arm is still going numb. Any other ideas? I loved today, but can't afford that again...I am so ready for the summer crowds now!

[rimar]

I had the same symptoms with carpel tunnel and tendonitis in my thumb. I had surgery in jan '05 and it's all better.

[Kim]

Since the massage didn't loosen up any thing that would unpinch a nerve, the next thing is to go to the doctor and have him refer you to a chiropracter or a neurologist. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sad3.gif Glad you got ready for summer, though.

[monkey]

Thanks, I will follow up on it soon. I appreciate your advice.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

this must be the season for limbs to fall asleep and tingle. Im going to the doc next week cos my right arm tingles almost constantly, and I too, am woken up from sleep cos of this. I know I def have something wrong in the cervical spine cos one night at work I turned my neck and felt a bolt of electricity shoot up into my head. It was OUCH! I tend to put all of my stress in my neck and shoulders ... .not even a massage loosens me up.

[MDB]

Sounds like symptoms of a C-Spine (neck) problem. Most Doctors will miss this and look a carpal tunnel. Numbness while using your computer mouse is classic as is pain behind your shoulder blade (refered pain). Neck pain is not necesarily a symptom, and classic carpal tunnel can be caused by this. Degenerative Disc Disease probably at c-4 or c-5 level is a common culprit. A neck MRI is where a Doc should start looking. You will probably find a bulging disc and some bone spurs that are compressing a nerve root. If you have an MRI and the word compression is in the narrative, its not a simple fix and not somthing to put off as the damage becomes permanent and irreversable.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

carpel tunnel is the dx of the day. Seems they all want to diagnose with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.

[backdoctor]

Sounds like many of you show signs varying from forward head posture to "pinching of one of the several nerve roots that feed the arm, to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I would be willing to meet w/ any of you, individually, to decide if Chiropractic could offer you anybenefit.

I am a Chiropractic Orthopedist, and have been serving our mountain communities for the past 3 years. In addition to Chiropractic care, we offer several additional therapies that may offer significant relief.

I'll offer you a free initial consultation (if you mention this thread) to see if we may be able to help you attain relief.

Our hours are Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri from 9-12:30 and 2-6 pm
559-683-5115