Nerve issues that don't show on medical tests?
 

I freely admit that my knowledge of nerve-related issues is limited. I'm not even sure if I'm on the right forum but I thought you'd be the most knowledgeable people. :o

Just over a year ago, I started getting tingling and numbness in both hands when I lie down. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and therefore, logic dictated that it was mostly likely carpal tunnel. I had nerve conduction tests on my hands and wrists which were totally normal. Around this time, it was noticed that my neck is very, very stuff (I assumed this was part and parcel of my RA) and the doctor then decided that it sounds like a nerve is being trapped or maybe just irritated. I'm awaiting MRI results from a scan on my cervical spine. However, earlier this week, the physiotherapist said it's unlikely to be that bad because the nerve signals were normal. :confused: How can they be normal? Obviously, it could well be a compression but it could just be an irritated nerve that won't show on the MRI. What does "nerve irritation" mean?

My main issue is that it's disturbing my sleep which impacts on every part of my life because I'm extra tired. I'm fine during the day in terms of tingling and numbness.

Thanks in advance.

You might read on our thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) forum sticky threads to see if some of your symptoms may fit, even if all don't , it can vary from case to case.
Often TOS or TOS like conditions , myofascial pain don't show on testing, until it is very severe.
The therapy suggestions may be helpful for many causes.

Just a few factors related to TOS , desk/repetitive work, sport injury/weight lifting, whiplash, forward head posture.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135.html

Nerve irritation- could be from soft tissue impingement or scar tissue entrapment.

Thanks for the helpful reply. Interestingly, I started a new job in July 2014 which involved long hours using a computer and lots of driving. The symptom onset was within a few months of starting this job. I've been seeing an osteopath who said my symptoms are classic of someone who is sitting with a poor posture at a computer.

Probably should have mentioned that osteopathy has not made any difference and I'm about to start physiotherapy. Fingers crossed it will help me sleep!