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Originally Posted by Sea Pines 50
I'm with Jo, don't see anything terribly unusual in your MRI report, at least from a surgical standpoint…
Have you been given a diagnosis (dx)? Could you tell us a little bit more about your symptoms (sx)? For example, are you just experiencing numbness in your arms and pinkie and ring fingers, or numbness AND tingling? These may be nerve pain sx coming from either your cervical spine at the C-5/C-6 level, OR from your brachial plexus, a few inches down. If it's the latter, you may want to look into Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ("TOS") as a possible dx; similar to the "brachial neuritis" noted in the report.
There is a TOS forum on NeuroTalk, just below this one. Check out the sticky threads at the top, there is a wealth of information captured in them which may be helpful to you even if you don't have TOS. Lots of great ideas in there for dealing with myofascial and nerve pain issues…
How do you like your PT? May be a good person to talk to about your more troubling sx, what's causing them and where you might find the best treatment (tx) at this point (what type of specialist or modality, etc.). You may also need to recruit a good pain management physician and a neurologist to be part of your tx team, if you haven't already.
I think you'll find that by becoming your own best advocate, things will start to look a lot better to you. Knowledge is power! We are here to support you should you have any questions or concerns. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing, OK?
Alison
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Hi Alison, thanks for your response. Glad to see the two of you agree on the MRI results. No, no diagnosis and that's bothersome. I just always say to myself...it must be the RA. I also have various doctors for various parts. For instance, one only does neck, then one for shoulders, and one for knees...etc. I'm like a ping pong ball with doctors which may in itself be an issue. Not sure really, they all read off the same charts.
I will take a look at the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome thread and thank you for that information. Per my last response (which I don't see here, perhaps will turn up later) I have been to PT, hate it, do it at home now. I have to do it or else I can't turn my neck. They just tell me it's very important to keep at it. Remember it's been five years that health issues keep coming. Like I'm falling apart at 50 well 45 when it all started. I feel extremely old.
Pain and numbness is usually only at night. It is the back of both arms, and gets numb all the way down in both ring fingers and pinky's. It's recent but has been happening some months now because I was wondering why I couldn't hold onto items. I work with computers and this is when I first noticed it. I couldn't hold onto the little bitty screws while taking the computer's apart. I guess because there was no numbness at that time, I really didn't pay attention to what was happening and thinking it was the RA in my hands.
I'm in between doctors now for the RA/OA, but I do have a pain management doctor he is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I think I may need to ask for a neurologist? I saw a neurosurgeon long ago to get a second opinion, however, I have not been in the last few years.
Thanks again for the support, explanations, and I will follow up.