[Juliesmile]

My journey began in 1997, made my first trip to Dr. Fatigue, hip pain, right side only, sharp shooting pain on one side of my head, piercing pain in my eye, tender elbows and just a tiredness in my arms. I was working out quite a bit, was in the best shape of my life, yet felt very weak at times. My hands would fall asleep writing and cutting hair, which is what i do for a living? Got the run around, ruled out rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, was told I had tension headache. Prescribed muscle relaxant, hated it, but used it for a bit. Tried chiropractor too.

About 3 years ago, I decided to try a pain management guy. Told him about my symptoms, which by now included soirees crawling on my legs, dulled sensation on the side of my right thigh, tightness in my groin and front of right hip, and shoulder problems. He referee me out for my shoulder which was torn rotator cuff, and that was repaired very successfully. He did radio thermal coagulation, which helped some with the hip for a while. He also refered me out for the pain in my head which had now spread to include numbness or dulled sensation in the left side of my face. That neurologist did an MRI which came back fine. He started me on neuron tin which solved the problem. About this time my husband was dx with ALS.

A year later, I began to have pain on my left outer calf and ankle, some piercing and stabbing pain in my heels, pins and needles, and more pain in my hands. I needed to find a new neurologist anyway because we had to move
once my hubby went on disability, this guy did nerve conduction tests on one arm and one leg and told me I had Peripheral Neuropathy. I asked what that was and he just said I had a disease of the nerves, I pressed and he seriously didn't give me anything!!! So.... I went on line and got totally depressed! I want into a serious depression! My husband was dying of ALS and it, was in no pain, but wasn't going to get to live, and I was going to live but in constant and excruciating pain!! I couldn't believe it! (somewhere in here I had arthoscopy surgery on the left shoulder,and carpel tunnel surgery on the left wrist)

I found a P.N. Clinic in Phoenix and made an appointment. He assured me I didn't have wide spread systemic P.N. He said I had entrapment neuropathies. He said I had a pretty serious ulnar entrapment on the right and mild on the left. He said I may need more RFT treatment, but after more MRIs he said it didn't look like suRgery was necessary at this point. Which was great news, but the ulnar surgery isn't always very successful and I am finding it almost impossible to cut hair, my fingers fall asleep almost as soon as I raise them up to start cutting. I still exercise, but suffer tremendously, I find that I can walk o.k. For about 20 min. Then I begin to slow down and find it hard to keep up, typing hurts, reading a book, my hands fall asleep, just about anything with my hands is difficult.

My husband died a year ago, I am on my own, trying to figure out how I'm going to get through the rest of my life, make a living when all i know how to do is cut hair and i cant seem to be able to do that anymore. It is such an isolating feeling, I can't even discuss this with anyone, I feel like such a loser. I'm not a complainer, but sometimes it feels like I have something to complain about!!!

Any input would be helpful.

[Jomar]

Since you are a hairdresser and with the arm & shoulder problems I'll suggest you read on our Thoracic outlet syndrome forum (TOS) for short.
It is similar to an entrapment - often a impingement or compression of nerves or even blood flow to the arms at times. Repetitive work and/or holding arms out/up are a common factor.
Does your neck get tight feeling also?

Here's the TOS useful sticky thread for you-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

[rebeccabf]

I have just recently joined this group, too. Your experience sounds just miserable. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how hard it is to not have answers. I hope you find some soon and especially find relief soon!

Best wishes,
Rebecca

[Darlene]

Juliesmile,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number and caring fellow members here to assist you. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways. Seems like Jo*mar has gotten you started.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene