Something new?
 

I have been getting "electric shocks" down my left arm for the past two weeks. Is this a part of TOS?

Thanks
Rach

Rachael For the past couple of days I have been getting electric type shocks down my right arm. (My TOS side). Also, When I am typing I inadvertently move a finger on a key. I don't mean to and I'm not sure why. I see my neurologist on Monday and am going to ask him. Also, just having a very bad day of pain. Was running low on pain meds so had to wait exta hours. It's scary for 2 reasons. Scary that you can't go without meds and scary that you need them. I don't know. Anyway, yes I have experienced this recently. My moms boyfriend has parkinsons and anytime I see this type of thing I get nervous! Hopefully someone with knowledge can clue you in. I don't know the answer but hope it goes away. Linda

What things have you been doing at the times you get these shocks, or just prior?

Have you noticed any other new sx, or increases/changes in other sx?

Have you been possibly doing too much recently?

Were you in A/C when these "shocks" occurred?

Are you currently taking anything for neuropathic pain - i.e., Neurontin, Lyrica, Trileptal, Cymbalta, Elavil, amy/nortryptaline (sp) or other of the tricyclics or anti-seizure meds that are are often more effective than pain meds used alone?

More info please! :)

beth

Hi beth
 

Hi Beth, hopefully I can answer all the questions you asked...here we go:

What things have you been doing at the times you get these shocks, or just prior? Nothing really out of the ordinary. I notice it most when my arm is elevated or if I am using ex..reaching...lifting

Have you noticed any other new sx, or increases/changes in other sx? All my symptoms have increased over the last year. I used to be able to go a couple of weeks feeling good...now I am lucky to get a day or two feeling good. Increased pressure in my arms. Hands swelled, burning and achy. Headaches and stiffness in shoulders has increased as well.

Have you been possibly doing too much recently? Aren't we always doing what we shouldn't?? lol I try not to and to watch myself, but I find most times it doesn't really matter. A few weeks ago my P/T wanted to start doing some exercises in my wrists...after two times I was in a nasty flare and haven't done it again.

Were you in A/C when these "shocks" occurred? No, just inside the house. They almost feel as though I am sticking my finger in a light socket. The pain is more pronounced right at my elbow.

Are you currently taking anything for neuropathic pain - i.e., Neurontin, Lyrica, Trileptal, Cymbalta, Elavil, amy/nortryptaline (sp) or other of the tricyclics or anti-seizure meds that are are often more effective than pain meds used alone? The only pain meds I take is demerol daily. I suffer all day..some days worse than others until I can get home to take it. My family doc is looking to send me to pain management when I see him this week, although it takes a couple of months to get in. Quality of life is getting worse, surgery list is long and I am not sure how to manage this nasty beast.

My doc doesn't know what to do or how to treat....and to be honest, I get more info here that I do from him...thats why I asked about the new "sx"

Thanks for the help
Rach

Dr Togut had a namr for them, Zingers. From what I remember he said, Football players would get them. A player would get their arm knocked backwards in running, and zinger down the arm. The nerve is sending a hyper signal....
di

Hi Rachael
 

I get those also, the tip of my pinky finger on my affected side. It happens when i accidently brush it against something. The electric shock shoots clear up to my elbow and i about scream. Seems strange I can get those but yet that finger and ring finger are numb.

Di..
 

What would the hyper signal be telling me? It feels as though I have having one of those EMG's.Is this something I should worry about?

ihtos...I feel them from the neck down my arm, but very prominent just above my elbow.

Hurts like a son-of-a- gun...lol

Rach

Hi Rachael; I get this symptom as well. It is usually both arms, shoulder's and especially at both elbows. I had more emg studies, about a month ago. There is some compression at the elbows but not enough to warrant surgery for an ulnar nerve release. I find it's brought about from carrying, sweeping, mopping and sometimes just the way I hold my arm(bending it). Just a guess that the nerve bundle is compressed at the thoracic inlet and there's not enough room for the ulnar nerve. Just one of the many nerves that can be affected from imflammation. I have a certain amount of pain everyday but some activities really can flare me up more. Just pushing a grocery cart or carrying mail back from the mail box with my arm bent increases the pain in my upper extremity. Take Care:winky:

We had a DC on the old forum for a time and he would say that it only takes 3 or 30 grams?? or milligrams?? {can't remember the exact amounts} of pressure on a nerve to start causing a symptom.

So my guess is that something is starting to put some pressure on that nerve. Since it is just starting to happen now is the best time to try and head it off.
If you can use the anatomy links {in useful sticky} and maybe track that nerve to find out the best stretches or postures and relaxation moves to help release that pressure or run it by a expert PT or DC if you have found one near you.
Of course try not to do anything that will worsen or aggravate it.

Big Thanks
 

I will talk with my P/T and see if he can help. I am figuring it is par for the course, but would like to head it off....on a positive note...if I don't use that arm, it doesn't hurt!! lol.
I am almost 100% it is the Ulnar nerve, but the sharpest point of the zap is not exactly that spot on my elbow, it's more towards the other side of elbow...

zingers
 

Hi Rachael,
Towelhorse here, before my condition improved, I used to get the zingers all the time. They would happen most often in the evening and I could easily make them happen by wiping down the dining table. I believe they were occurring due to pec minor syndrome, as the day wore on and I lost scapular stability, the pec minor would become dominant and crush the brachial plexus. Any use of my arm away from my body would cause the electric shocks. I used to be a telecommunications technician, I worked with telex machines which operated on 50 volts and 100 volts DC. These Pec minor zingers felt to be well over 50 volts. The source of the zinger would vary sometimes, if I straightened my arm my elbow would pop. I reckon this was because I was putting tension on the nerves down my arm (as well as crushing) and trapping the nerve in my elbow. If I was you I would try and avoid making the zingers happen, the frequent crushing of the nerves will make your hand less useful and you will be further from the path to recovery. Regards Towelhorse

Hi Di....I would say it is a flared nerve. I can feel stress and triggers along the base of my neck. I am taking a list of nerve meds with me on Thursday to see if my doc will try something new. I am hoping he will. I have found over the last few months that I am progressively getting worse and need some sort of relief. I get new pains all the time and usually find my answers, or better yet, that I am not a looney tune when I read the posts here.

PS...Been doing the extra advil the last few days and it seems as though it is settling down a bit...thanks for that!

Talk soon,
RAch

Rachel,

A muscle relaxer to help release some of the tension in the neck area wd be one thing to ask your Dr about - most of us are on some kind such as Zanaflex or even Valium (I take generic for Zanaflex twice daily, have Valium to use as needed at night - save it for flares when NOTHING else will help a cervical headache brought on by neck muscle spasms). Ask also about the off-label use of epilepsy meds for neuropathy (best to just say someone mentioned this unless you know your Dr is receptive to Internet research).
These may take trial and error to find what works best for YOU with the least side effects, but they do make your regular pain meds more effective.

And, my friend, please consider asking about an antidepressant. Now that the pain is becomiing progressively severe, and "good days" are rare or vanished, the "feel-good" (seretonin) chemicals in the brain are decreased. Sleep usually restores them, but disturbed and scant amounts of sleep prevents this from happening. The antidepressant will restore the balance, and you will see a very REAL difference mentally and emotionally. Your moods won't swing so drastically and you will cope better - we've all been there, see, you're not alone! Also, Cymbalta, a relatively new antidepressant, has a neuropathic pain-relieving effect as well. It has worked wonders for ME. You might ask your Dr about it.

None of us made the decision to take meds easily or lightly, I believe. I know initially after my injury I was given rx's for increasingly heavier meds, but after 6 weeks or so I quit them all ( cold turkey - :eek: ) because I was still working, and a parent and wife, and couldn't function in a perpetual fog.

But 9 months later after beaucoup tests, therapies, treatments and tortures, it was obvious the pain was here to stay, and I wasn't functioning well without meds either. And in fact the first anti-depressant I was on really wasn't effective, although no one caught it til I was pretty desparate and reached out for help. A pain counselor is a REALLY good tool to have in your bag - someone to let it all out to - the rage, the despair, the sorrow, how family and friends just don't "get it".

Lately I find myself going through guilt over not being able to help my mother with health issues she and my stepfather are facing - they live 2 hours away, and I can't BE there like I want, can barely manage my own family. But I'm the only daughter, and my brothers (3) are out-of-state except the youngest, and wouldn't be of much help even if they were close. I hate to feel so useless when she's done so much for me - it's my turn to give back, only I'm not capable of doing it. :( Fodder for my next session, obviously. :o

Anyway, I hope your visit is productive, generally a Dr will only start one rx at a time, then wait a few weeks to see how you respond before adding another. Oh, be sure to let him know the PT exercises that have made you flare badly, and ask about possibly trying ultrasound and massage along with nerve glides/stretching to open up/ loosen the upper chest/pec minor area.
Or, if he's really that unknowledgeable, why not ask for a referral to a neurologist who will be able to answer your questions more effectively and arrange tests that may give you added information?

Best wishes,
beth :hug:

Hi Beth
 

Hi Beth...I have written down some of the options for meds that you all have given me here and will see what he says. He is suppose to set me up to get started with pain management. I may wait until then to see that they say. I would think they would be more knowledgable in terms of managing pain levels. I will let you know what he says. Di mentioned to take some extra advil, so I have for the past few days and that has seemed to help with the "electric shock" in my arm.
Arms are tired now....talk with you soon and thanks a million!!
Rach

Hi Rachael,
I have alot of problems with neck pain and muscle spasms (cervical dystonia) and I take generic Zanaflex and it helps me alot. My neuro told me to take it on a regular basis, whether I felt like I needed it or not. I also take Elavil at bedtime to help me sleep. I think Beth is right- make sure your dr. (and I'm sure he/she will) only starts you on one new med at a time just in case you have a reaction to them. My PM dr. tried me on Trileptal after I gained so much weight on Neurontin and a couple of weeks after starting it I had a severe allergic reaction to it. Hope you feel better soon!

Beth
 

I know the guilt trip. Worry about yourself and then do what you can for your mom. My mom has helped me forever. My one problem is telling her what is going on. I have to hear about, how many pills are you taking, what are you doing, why aren't you eating, etc. I know she is doing it for a reason but I won't tell her what's going on anymore if I have to then have a follow up session. She means well. I had a very hard time getting off meds 6 years ago. She is not without reason to be asking. But, it gets tiring.

Linda