Hello Everyone, This is my first post so please be kind.

First off, any and all constructive feedback is appreciated, as I have registered in another board years ago for my hip replacement and it was VERY, VERY helpful, not to mention the support received.

Brief History: On July 2010 I fell with a glass bottle in my right hand, during the fall the bottle broke and I lacerated my palm and did nerve damage, mostly median. Surgery was done 1 week later, and went to rehab. Long story short, I do have full movement of thumb/fingers, the bottom of my index finger has always been numb after the surgery, a little tingling when I touch the palm where surgery was done, and the side of the long finger next to index is a little sensitive. The numbness never really bothered me, and there was never really any other pain/aggravation.

Now current day: Over the past 3 months, my index finger increased in tingling (all over), at times there is a burning sensation, and even some stabbing sensations. Also, and even less, there is a tingling sensation around my wrist on the same hand that happens infrequently, but nevertheless happens. This is 24x7 and is starting to wear on me emotionally and mentally. Went to Orthopedic surgeon, and he doesn't think another surgery will help to see if anything can be corrected, being that it's been 5 1/ years. My general doctor said to try a topical supplement, so I have been using Deep Blue. It helps my tennis elbow, but so far it doesn't seem to be helping my hand/finger. Update, Deep Blue has elevated the hand sensation so I stopped using it. I do have an appointment with a Neurologist for March 2, 20016 to have a EMG and NCV tests done. IMO, I feel this is related to the accident in 2010 and a possible Neuroma, or possibly my Tennis elbow that occured just before the hand sensation, or a combination of both.

Questions: I am hoping that the tingling, burning, and stabbing doesn't get worse, I am ok with not having any feeling in the index finger, I just want to have some emotional/mental relief from feeling this 24x7. The pain is bearable, it's just all the time which is starting to effect me emotionally. My questions are,
1. has anyone tried supplements?
2. What types of medicine(s) seem to help?as NSAIDS don't appear to help
3. Any feedback is welcomed that may provide me some insight on what the future MAY bring

Thanks All,

Bob

Have you tried the new Aspercreme with lidocaine?
This is a strong pain relieving lotion. It should work
For you in some capacity.

MrsD - I have not yet tried this, and will be going out today to purchase it.

Dear All, Following is a summary of Op Report from the surgeon that performed surgery on my hand in July 2010.

What is surprising to me is, for 5 1/2 years all was well, then in a period of 2 months this elevated tingling, burning, and stabbing pain started in my index finger. The only thing that happened about a month before is, I have been diagnosed with tennis elbow in right arm, and golfers elbow in left, with the index finger pain being the most prominent. The combination of all this 24 x 7 just works on me emotionally.

After reading a lot of the other posts I should feel fortunate it is not worse. I really wish and pray for all of those that are having more serious issues. God Bless.

Anyway, below is the Summary of the Operative Report (FWIW) from July 2010. Please do not confuse this with me stating the surgeon did a bad job. I am just sharing information as I feel the more informed a person is, the better decision and feedback can be made.

Also, attached is the details of the surgery for reference.


Pre-Op Diagnoses
1. Laceration of the right Palm with sensory deficit of the index finger and long finger
2. Previous vascular severe bleeding accident
3. Index finger flexor tendon laceration in zone IV

Operation
1. Micro surgical repair of the median nerve in the palm
2. micro surgical repair of the ulnar artery in the palm
3. Use of microscope x2
4. Repair of the flexor digitorum superficialis of the index in the palm
5. Right carpal tunnel release

In closing, I am taking 1 pill 300mg of Gabapentin at night (4th day taking), and will start 2 pills in 3 more days. It seems to help some, shall see.

Thanks All,

Bob

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The new aspercreme is amazing. I have an expensive compounded cream and the aspercreme works just as well on the burning patches on my leg. Definitely work a try.

I'm thinking what if the hand and associated symptoms are old news. It could be that the golf and tennis elbows have insulted the nerves enough to start the beginnings of Periferal Neuropathy. This would be trauma-induced neuropathy. Get the Aspercreme w/Lidocaine and between that and the Gabapentin you might be fine. None of us are getting any younger and the aches and pains are par for the course. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

Hello Everyone, this may be a stupid question, so please bear with me. In my opinion the symptoms I have lead me to believe they are sensory in nature and contained to the median nerve in my palm to the index and long finger. My motor skills/muscle strength for all fingers is intact, I just don't have much feeling in the index finger and it tingles, burns, and has the stabbing needles feeling all the time.

The question is, can a nerve be killed, deadened, severed, or whatever the word is so the sensory feeling will go away, but not the motor ability? Meaning, if the median nerve that feeds my index finger was killed so there is no more sensory feeling, what would be wrong with that, I don't have much feeling now. The one item I think of though is the phantom limb feeling, but again I know very, very little of PN and am just starting to learn by reading all the wonderful posts.

Hopefully the NCV/EMG being done on March 1st will uncover the root cause, like a Neuroma and the scar can be removed that's compressing/blocking the nerve.

Am I being silly with the above question?

Thanks and Best Regards All,

Bob

Ken(zkrp01) - I never thought of the tennis elbow in right arm possibly being the trigger for the PN, and will do some research/ask the neuro about this, Thanks!

I bow/feel so little to all the others that have so much more pain/discomfort than what I have. my heart goes out to you. Anyway, here is my latest updae,
1. just started taking the 2nd 300mg Gabapentin pill. It has reduced the tingling and burning sensation to somewhat of a manageable pain
2. Have also started to use the Aspercreme/Lidocaine. Seems to help for a short time
3. There are times, mostly between 8 - 10 pm where the pain is most (like tonight), and I do have Tramadol, and some other medicine within reach if needed, but I really don't want to unless really bad
4. There are time when there is a tingling sensaion around the wrist, and a electrical feeling sensation that shots up my forearm to the cress in my elbow. This happens infrequently, and only last 15 minutes or so.
5. See above post for some questions, and as usual, input always welcomed.

In summary, hopefully these tingling, burning, stabbing sensations do not progress more before the hopeful root cause is found.

Best Regards to All,

Bob

@Bob... If you tap your inner wrist do you feel a tingling in the palm and fingers? If so this is called Tinel's sign. It usually happens when there is compression in the carpal tunnel which is in the inner wrist. This might help:
Topical magnesium...is helpful for me. I've had carpal tunnel for over 30 yrs...sometimes it is minimal and other times it flares up.

The remedy many of us used topically Morton's epsom loton was recently discontinued by Morton which infuriates me. But there are other products designed to carry magnesium thru the skin to where it can work on pain or poor circulation.
This is one product that has been around for decades...
http://www.amazon.com/Kirkman-Labs-M...7KG0213NQJR2PS

There are others too on Amazon, so you can search there. They are all more pricey than the Morton's. Amazon raised their affordable price of Morton to an unrealistic amount. So don't get it. There are still some Walgreen's who have it on the shelf...you might check where you live, just in case. You don't need alot of topical product on the wrist, so a container will last you a long time. (some of us have a stash of Morton's now because we went out and bought out the local supply when we discovered Morton was discontinuing it. I suspect it never was popular enough to keep making it. They never advertised it, for example for some reason).

Topical magnesium is very very helpful. It does 3 things.
1) improves circulation to the affected area
2) blocks the pain receptors called NMDA
3) Provides magnesium to the body for use in the mitochondria for energy production, and many other biochemical reactions.

I find it more helpful than oral forms.