Hi Cheryl,

The nerves that go down to the hand from the C-spine are the Median, Ulnar, and Radial. The median nerve is the one that causes the feeling of "carpal tunnel".



My hand always goes numb, and my arms get very weak & painful (spasticity??), whenever I am in a spinal lesion attack.

Here's more info, which will have to be copied into a word document to read because of the silly artwork that covers the words.

http://www.upstate.edu/cdb/grossanat/limbs2.shtml

I wonder though if yours is related to MS (spinal cord damage), because normally when my spinal lesions are acting up, I go numb from that point down . . . like when someone breaks their neck (only not complete paralysis, but same principle). That would be a severe attack anyway ....

I have had times when only my neck, back and arms hurt though too. It comes on like an attack, and leaves like one (2 - 12 weeks). . . so I believe this can occur with MS.

Cherie

So sorry you are in so much pain. Arm problems suck. Can they send you to a pain specialist?

I used to think my walking problems were bad, but that was before I started having arm problems.

They're not finding any lesions on my spinal column. Found two osteophytes, one at c3/4 and at t6/7. Carpal tunnel has been ruled out, twice. Yes, that was thought about at first because of my job.

No torn ligaments or rotator cuff damage, no arthritis, but there is a lot of inflammation right now and ice seems to be helping with the pain somewhat. Pain meds don't even touch it, ER doc says it's because it's pressure pain.

Radiculopathy has been mentioned along with nerve root damage but not what's causing either. No trauma and no recent injury. The mere fact that the steroids made me worse makes everyone suspicious of a damaged nerve somewhere and that's the reason for the nerve conduction testing...oh I hate that test!

Sure makes working impossible and I have a wedding to do Jan 2nd. Good thing I have good helpers. Bride and 3 bridesmaids, 2 mothers, 2 grandmothers, 2 table center pieces to do not to mention all the boutonnieres. I am slowly learning to be left handed and doing things with one hand!

I just need to research thalamus lesions and pain now...I will get this all figured out pretty soon. I have to.
http://ms.about.com/od/glossary/g/thalamus.htm

I just learned something....or remembered something I forgot! Now I just need to dig out my MRIs and remind myself where my lesions are...or just wait for the new MRI which is probably easier!



Thanks for the info Cherie.

Cheryl, I am so sorry about all this pain, it is so frustrating I am sure. I hope they figure it out SOON!

So they think it is pain messages not being transmitted properly to and from the brain, because of the thalamus lesions? I don't really know much about that area of the brain, but it is in the brainstem, isn't it?

Did you have a lesion there the last time they looked?

I don't have carpal tunnel either, but I have very similar symptoms because of the damage to the spinal cord root where those nerves branch out ...

Wouldn't they expect a nerve conduction test show as "negative", IF it is from MS (vs peripheral nerve damage)?

Cherie

Of course there is lots they still don't know about the brain . . . but it seems it is a gateway for transporting information to the cortex:

Thalamic Function: Overview

1. It parcels out and in some way integrates different inputs related to all sensory modalities except olfaction.
2. It plays a key role in the control of motor systems by way of its connections with the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and with its interconnections with motor cortex.
3. Together with the cerebral cortex, it is involved in conscious awareness, and probably language and memory.
4. It has a role in the maintenance of rhythmic sleep-wake cycles through its
intralaminar nuclei.
5. It has an important role in affect associated with emotional tone through its connections with limbic and prefrontal cortex.

http://hubio532.biostr.washington.ed...lamus.indd.pdf

A simpler link:

http://bci.ucsd.edu/107astudyguide/module_08.htm

Of course, even if the nerves are damaged in our spinal cord (which they are not thinking is the case with you at the moment ...), there really isn't any "damage" to where we feel the pain. It's a distortion or "phantom" (sensory perception of) pain/buring/numbness, etc.

Personally, I don't think they've nailed it yet for you, from all I've read.

Cherie

I guess we shall see when all the tests are done.

gosh cheryl, i'm sorry you're going thru all this.
it sounds like your dr is on top of it all.
hang in there thru the tests. i hope they find out what's wrong.

somehow doesn't sound all neurological to me.
feel better soon.

I know your pain sweetie and it plain sucks! Hope they can figure it out and get you relief pronto!!!

Carolyn

A little jaeger tonight and no more pain!! LOL!

Oh DM...where art thou!!!