Howdy I'm new and have a few questions!
 

First off, thanks for such a great sight you all have put together. I am a little bit keyed up regarding an EMG tomorrow (bi-lateral something or other on the arms). I am a younger guy (35) and cross train 5 days per week as well as martial arts 3 times per week too. Last October, after several trips to my Dr. who is an OS, he told me I had TOS like problems. He said that my 1st rib was always out and that combined with chronic pinched nerve in right trap. He gave me stretches to do and told me not to shoulder press anymore or bench, but rather work on strengthening my pecs-minors. So I did just that. I switched up my lifting routine to core and cross training exercises.

Fast forward to 2 months ago. The pain (nerve) in my right shoulder would not go away. It radiated out to my shoulder and neck and tongue. I went in again to see the OS (I have been in more times in the past year than the previous 10!) and he gave me cyclobenzaprine. I took one dose and the very next day both hands went cold ( I never get cold and run around in a t-shirt 365) and I started losing the feeling in both. Quit taking the cyclo and 2 days later, hand went back to normal......until 2 weeks ago. Out of the blue, they got cold again and stayed cold (would not warm up with exercise) lost fine feeling but did not change colors. Back I went to the DR who ordered blood work and EMG due to tremor in right hand same side I have most trouble with.

Blood work came back negative for thyroid or other disease, except off the charts low Testosterone. Dr thinks 1 of 2 things.
1. Low T is the cause of problems so take injections for 30 days and re-evaluate
2. I have some bad neuro disease. Very comforting to say the least.

Maybe answers tomorrow, but in the mean time, I thought that I would list my symptoms and besides the obvious ones, get some feed back for any other items that is TOS caused. In my line of work, I have to be very focused and ready for action at any moment....so this distraction is a real pain. Best reagrds and a Huge thanks from a North West Country boy!

1. Tremor like feeling in back of neck in certain positions
2. Tremor in 4th and 5th digits R hand while straightened out and same for left but only barely noticeable. Includes shoulder pain, spasm at inside of forearm near elbow and outer hand pain
3. Pain in 4th and 5th digits which are usually noticeably colder than other digits
4. Carpal tunnel like symptoms both hands
5. Skin on hand feels very odd and fingers stayed wrinkled easy in and out of water
6. Shoulder pain outside which goes to numb while sleeping
7. Heavy tongue one side every once in a while
8. Neck pain and trouble talking.....as if talking aggravates the neck muscles
9. Neck that needs adjustment 1 -2 x weekly
10. Pain above right eye (occipital) on occasion
11. Floaters and blurry eyes that come and go (I do not wear glasses)
12. Low Basal Temp
13. Abnormal Low -T14. Pushups do not hurt nor does exercise, but some shoulder movements hurt right now while other times it feels fine

Don't be surprised if the EMG shows nothing special.
Most of us have the issues with the smaller sensory nerves - the test doesn't work for those.
Only the larger nerves can be tested- but it is a good way to rule in or out IF those nerves are affected.

Low T # can make for more symptoms- so that is a good thing to check.

Are your traps or any other of the upper body muscles over developed?

How is your overall upper body posture?
head forward?
shoulders rolled hunched or forward?

there is also something called pec minor syndrome , so I wouldn't go over board on strengthening those either.

you might look at Sharon Butlers website and read about sticky fascia and how it can impact many of us.
www.seflcare4rsi.com

be sure to check out the useful sticky threads up above the main thread list.

Roger that JO. Working on posture. Typical hunched, etc and yes, accidently over developed front delts (shoulder press). I am certain that I have been shoulder dominate for years. Thanks for the quick response as well as the link.

Best Wishes to you friend! Hondo

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear your pain.
As Jo said it is most frequent that the EMG may not show some nerve damage until it affects the larger nerves that move the muscles. The smaller sensory nerves are the first affected These are the ones that feel heat of a candle, relay pain messages, the EMG is testing the larger nerves that make the muscles move...tell the arm to push pull lift etc.

However, it sounds like you may have some short bands of the neck that support the head. half of society has this anomolie, but for an injury or assault there may never be an issues. With short bands, nerves inflamed, then working them out can be a dynamic.
Falls, whiplash, repetitive strain, overuse syndromes.

With your muscle building the nerves being inflamed cause the muscle to splint around the nerve to protect it. As the muscles are spasm;s you are working them making the nerve very unhappy.

The nerves insert into the muscle; vicious circle.
Maybe if the person doing the test has you replicate the positions you are in when the pain is there may help.
Good luck tomorrow

Welcome

Jo*mar and DiMarie gave great advice.

It's hard to discern sometimes, even for doctors. I wish you the best.

It takes time to work out the wrinkles.

There's tons of info here. The "SEARCH" button is great for researching things.

Drink lots of water, as I'm sure you probably do already.

I might suggest a diary of what you're doing and taking, symptoms, etc, to help evaluate what is positive and negative for you.

Oh... about that cold business. Well, I did find that keeping my upper body "fleece" warm 24/7 cutdown on the pain tremendously. What a relief, until hot flashes started... :eek: :o :p

such a tweaking process, I swear sometimes I just want to jump off a clift. :cool:

Thanks to you all for the great advice. Your time to talk to me is greatly appreciated and the tips very useful. What a blessing to have some mentors like you all!

EMG came back showing no nerve damage or issues……just like you all said. The Dr however, was very helpful. He greatly encouraged me to get some more labs and to see an Endo. Apparently, he has been fighting similar things as I for the past few years and just found out it was a problems with his endocrine system. Everyone thought he was crazy, but at last, he was vindicated. Chalk one up for a straight shooter……..one who definitely demonstrated his compassion. Something I was certain the present healthcare industry was void of!

Warm regards to you all,

Hondo