Kitt, my right hand since late 2006, my left since this January and the left is worsening :(

Susanne, my physiotherapist is skeptical of doctors, apart from orthopedists. He thinks it a form of repetitive strain injury caused by hours of PC work, plus that my nerves might be trapped/pinched somewhere on the way. He does think in a mechanical way, like a real physio should do :) There is probably only one way to find out: MRI of shoulders and both hands.

My hands didn't worsen during the summer, probably because I was swimming A LOT, a few times daily. (they didnt improve either, but I could live with that, and I had no pain whatsoever, which was wonderful). They only got worse last week when I went to a mineral springs spa resort, it did feel like an inflammation. Hot water made them worse. Does that point to something? The neurologist I've seen today wouldn't even listen to such information :(

Let me give you the link to our thoracic outlet syndrome forum (TOS) for short...
even if you don't fit the exact diagnosis we have many posts & sticky threads with therapies & self helps.
main page- TOS
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

useful sticky -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html

Most drs are not fully knowledgeable on this condition, or they say they do but only a slight bit or wrong..
A very good PT or expert chiropractor might be of help quicker than chasing an actual diagnosis..

Thanks, I will have a look at that. I also read about B12. One thing I remember from the tests they did back in 2007: they did wonder about my EMG and repeated it twice. Something was bothering them, the results were inconclusive, but the nerves were somewhat slow. Hope that makes sense :( I've made an appointment with another neuro who wants to do EMG again, well why not, I'm ready to do everything what's possible or more :(

I would persue a legitimate diagnosis with a new neurologist who actually wants to look for one, in addition to trying therapy to get more use out of your hands now.

I will do exactly that, echoes. I am only 39, I do feel young and do not intend to get severely disabled if it can be averted. Certainly not because a doctor didnt feel like checking on me. Cheers

Conditions affecting the MOTOR (movement) neurons are more
immediately serious IMO than sensory.

Usually sensory neurons are affected first by most triggers. But autoimmune disease and things like GBS, affect motor neurons and one can lose mobility and maybe permanently.

Most toxins and poisons affect both feet and hands. If you only have hands affected, and this going on for years, then there is "something" causing this. Something mechanical most likely.

Many of the serious neuropathies are progressive, and the feet would be showing problems by now as you have had this for years.

Have you been evaluated for arthritis? Both OA and RA?
Do you have hard nodules showing up on your first finger joints?
http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/heber...ouchards-nodes
I have both of these types, on both hands, but they are not really large yet, except my right thumb. Sometimes they hurt and sometimes not. My magnesium lotion (Morton Epsom lotion) seems to keep them to a dull roar most of the time.
You can soak your hands in warm epsom salts in a tub and see if that helps. The magnesium works on pain receptors and gives some relief.

Do you have itching, or rashes?

Hi, no itching, no rashes. Just weakness and loss of movement. I did think it could be arthritis, so I did X-ray of both hands only last week. The ortho told me both were completely normal, not a sign of an arthritis. (but what is OA and RA you mention?)

I don't have these nodes.

I feel like posting pictures of my hands, maybe things would be clearer. (the neurologist today just made a very strange face when he saw them.. rather unprofessional and didnt exactly make me trust his experience .. ) I don't know if people do that here. It may help if someone has a very similar appearance.

Any other symptoms? Anyone else in the family have anything similar? Another EMG with a good neurologist might be in order since something was bothering them about the results of the one you had.