[Living_Dazed]

Had it in rt hand prior to ablations. Last 8-10 days it's in both hands. The MRI on my neck showed slightly bulging disc 10 months ago but the doctor also showed us that there was a gap still in the column not pressing on cord.

Am I making sense? Around same time had carpal tunnel shocking nerve test to rule that out. It was negative.

I am going to therapy 2 x a week for myofacial .... She works on my head neck and upper back. No adjustments.

Anyone else with this? I see Neuro next month. If it gets worse before I will call. Is this something I should call about now?

Happy loud noise month usa people. Ugh. My ears canals hate me with the ear plugs!

Jenna

[Mark in Idaho]

I used to have a chronic problem with tingling in my hands. It was inflammation in C-5, C-6 and just below. I don't remember the specifics but if the tingling is more index finger, it is usually one vertebra. If it is more the little finger, it is another vertebra. The elbow can also be a problem but if it is both hands, it is more likely vertebra related.

[Hockey]

Yes, because of the damage to my neck, my hands tingle. Sometimes the right one will just flex open spontaneously. It's very painful, and usually happens when I'm carrying some hot liquid or a treasured glass ornament.

How is your grip strength?

[music-in-me]

Hi Jenna,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Is it possible some of the myofascial therapy stirred this up? You shouldn't expect any adjustments with this treatment, because it is largely related to muscle and is intended to release tightness, as well as improve lymphatic and blood circulation to promote healing.

Also, if your disc is bulged, you can still experience referred symptoms to your arm/ hands because of pressure on the spinal accessory nerve coming off at the level of the bulge vs. spinal cord encroachment. I have 3 herniated cervical discs that do not press on my spinal cord, but I get bad pain/ tingling in both arms/ hands, especially if there is a drop in the barometric pressure, like when it rains. Lately it's happened to me much more because of the rain.

Maybe ask your therapist if they know why this might be occurring, or if symptoms worsen, I'd call the Neurologist and schedule a sooner appointment. Hockey is right about how this affects your grip strength as well. Could also indicate nerve impingement.

I use ice packs and Ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation, too.
Hope you get better soon. Take care, M-i-m

[Hockey]

Another question, do you have swelling in your hand?

[mrsD]

Are you doing "hand work" now? Is this worse after working on your jewelry projects?

Is it worse after fasting all night and before you eat?

Numbness and tingling may improve with night splints on your
wrists. These carpal tunnel braces, keep you from flexing your wrists while sleeping and keep the area where all the nerves and blood vessels go into the hand...open.

There are some comfortable ones now...made by Futuro...and very affordable on Amazon. CVS carries them at double the price:
http://www.amazon.com/Futuro-Energiz...ro+wrist+brace

This one is very comfortable and helps me quite a bit. My hands have had this problem since I was pregnant over 30 yrs ago.
Mine is due to a hypothyroid issue. I don't wear mine every night but I do get flares and then I wear the brace for at least a month and it seems to control things for me. I had EMGs in my arms back when it was severe during pregnancy, but I have avoided the suggested surgery so far.

I'd try one of these soft braces --say the right one for your dominant hand, and see if it works for you. Then if so, you can buy the left later.

Also as we age, your metabolism changes and blood sugars can go down in the night and tingling/numbness in the hands can be common. This trigger tends to vary during the day, and come and go. If you suspect this factor, you can have a small snack (avoid sugar consumption), before bed and see if your hands are better the next morning. I use a protein energy bar called Zone perfect for this, as they have protein added to them, and keep blood sugars stable longer. Even a 1/2 bar works for me in the night. Some nights I don't have one, but if I have a small dinner or no dinner, I always have a protein bar in the night. Target, WalMart and Kroger's sell these useful protein bars.

[Jomar]

How is your head/neck/shoulder posture?
Is head forward of the body, shoulders hunched or rolled, uneven?
Do you have neck and arm tension?

If you aren't seeing any improvements with that therapist try one with more experience.
Does PT check for trigger points? tiny super sensitive knots in the muscles- those must be released before any other muscle/fascia work will be helpful.
a easy clickable chart to locate TrPs-
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm

[Sitke]

Yes, I have numbness, tingling, pain in my left hand and mostly in my middle and pinky fingers, middle one is worse, I have a herniated disc at C7-T1 but MRI shows it's not pressing on the cord, one Dr said it's pressing on a nerve and another said when we have MRI's you're usually lying down so pressure is taken off.

I also have forearm pain with it and sometimes in my bicep.

One thing I do know is this pain is real!

[Living_Dazed]

So many wonderful replies with goooood suggestions and information. I'm going to reply in one post as I use my phone and iPad to see what's been said.

Mark. It is in both hands and everywhere but thumbs.

Hockey-my sister has MS. One thanksgiving her hand popped open on our stairs (new construction) and turned our cream carpet tan from the coffee she spilled. I love her more than perfect carpet! She felt so bad but stuff like that happens.
No swelling in my hands.

M i M. She does work on sensitive spots she will just touch a place with her finger and wow it hurts the. She works on it. Sometimes I get migraines after therapy. It's amazing because it doesn't seem like deep tissue work. She's very gentle. Good to know about the disc. I will talk to neuro. I'll talk to therapist tom too. Ice is my bestie since the accident.

MrsD. It's been too hot and humid to go in the garage to do my jewelry(that's where my supplies are) but my major form of communication is texting. I am hypothyroid and had both hands done by a wonderful doctor.

It could have been drive through for how fast and little recovery time. Best choice I ever made! Neuro tested me to see if it was back about 10 months ago and it was neg. I broke my hand during the accident too. After I got my cast off he gave me this great soft splint with the shoe laces and Velcro. Best split ever. Must find and wear it at night!

My metabolism is soooo different now. I have protein shakes I keep in fridge. I will try 1/2 of that before bed.

Jo*mar. My posture is bad. I'm large chested and my shoulders roll. When I sit I use back support always. Considering a reduction. My chin used to jut out and my vestibular therapist taught me what to do. I am always aware of keeping it tucked. Great advice. I

feel all my anxiety go straight to my neck. We had tornados come through here a few days ago and my ax iety went off the charts. Then to neck and shoulders. She does feel around for those pin point painful spots. Wow. Just a finger on them and it hurts. She works on them and I do feel good when I leave. I don't always get a migraine after bout 60% of the time.

Sitke. Yes the pain is real. It's not as bad as my carpal tunnel was and I'm so thankful for that. Do they even do standing MRI? Never thought about it making a diff with laying down.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!

peace and wellness

Jenna

[Sitke]

L-D,

The physiatrist explained to me that when we lie down pressure is taken off everything so it's not the same as of course when we are sitting or standing, there are tests that you sit or stand for...are they called MRI's? I still think they are but are not done everywhere and are more expensive.

Mine all gets worse standing or sitting, lying down it sometimes does but not so much, how about you?

Dr also mentioned my posture (ahem) mind you my neck has been in so much pain it's hard to keep a good posture and my left shoulder slopes down much more than the right so I look slanted.