New here, Im no longe able to lift my arm due to C5-C7 herniation, why is this?
 

I'm in extreme pain from my neck to my shoulder, left arm, arm pit, forearm,and hand is completely numb. It is starting to go down the right side. I have had a lot of PT, 3 EMG's showing C6-C7 Rediculotpathy, pain meds, nothing is helping and keeps getting worse. I'm supposed to be going in for a Steroid shot in my C6-C7 this week. I can not even move, laying still is the only thing that gives me a but of relief. I'm at a loss. Should I call my Ortho Dr. back to tell him that I can no longer move my arm? Could the herniations have gotten worse? Thank you for any help.

Hello BlueHerron,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Yes, if I was in your situation I would definitely call the doctor.

You might like to post over on the
Spinal Disorders & Back Pain Forum if you can to get some info and support there.

Hi Blue Herron,

Welcome! So sorry to hear about your trouble. Your symptoms are concerning. Are they certain that you don't have any nerve root compression? This sounds like a neurosurgery consult to be on the safe side. I am not a big surgical fan but nerve root compression is a time that it can be needed and often the sooner the better. Definitely let your ortho know, call tomorrow, don't waste time being polite waiting till your appointment. Any loss of use, numbness and pain combined ups your urgency for checking it out. Don't mean to be an alarmist or worry you but have known three people who went through this. They all needed surgery and had good outcomes. There is hope out there.

Sending Healing Love,
Littlepaw

Welcome Blue Herron. :Wave-Hello:

By any chance do you have a MRI written report to share, the spinal forum would be best to post that info.

If this could possibly be related to repetitive motion injury (desk work, overhead, heavy lifting, prior whiplash etc)- you might want to read on our thoracic outlet syndrome forum also.
C spine symptoms can be very similar to TOS symptoms, and possible to have both.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

I can't say enough thank you's! Last time I saw my Ortho on Tues, I couks still lift it, so it has gotten considerably worse since then. Honestly it's been a bit scary. Yesterday I could no longer out any pressure on it, or use it to pull myself up, but when waking up to not be able to even lift it... Crazy!
I wondered how serious I should be, and have a deep feeling something really isn't right. I'll be calling him at 8am. Referring to a neuro surgeon is helpful to know too! To know you know people who have been through this and have had success, thay are no words to say how much hope that gives me. It's been a long, tearful day. Thank you for giving me hope.

Thanks so much!
 

[QUOTE=Jo*mar;1129588]By any chance do you have a MRI written report to share, the spinal forum would be best to post that info.

If this could possibly be related to repetitive motion injury (desk work, overhead, heavy lifting, prior whiplash etc)- you might want to read on our thoracic outlet syndrome forum also.
C spine symptoms can be very similar to TOS symptoms, and possible to have both.


Thank you! I do have a copy and will post it there, thanks for letting me know that! Theycrazy thing is I actually had to stop working because of Lupus. I have not been nearly as active as I used to be, so don't do repetitive movement that I can think of. But I wonder if it could be both? I have had a lot of shoulder pain, and have a frozen shoulder they think on top of this, but he wanted to deal with the neck first. Can a frozen shoulder be TOS? Thank you so much for your help!

Some w/TOS have had/ get frozen shoulder due to lack of movement from high pain causes.

I will definitely bring this up to my Dr. I have heard about this bit don't know much about it. Thank you for bring this up to me!

I will tell you that TOS is one of those conditions that is not well known, or the dr may be biased or misinformed about TOS. So don't be surprised if you mention it and they roll their eyes...
It would be best to read about it first, so you have an idea if it might fit or not.