Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 A high proportion of carpal tunnel symptoms relate to the neck - especially the scalenes. Many of your other arm sx's my relate to these mucsles impinging on the neurovascular bundle in your neck. There may be some role of degenerative changes in the vertebral foramina, but it is more likely a muscular/anatomical issue. This is a common error and why carpal tunnel release surgery in part fails. I am fairly sure your dr. Is chasing down the wrong path - autoimmune and thyroid issues are not likely related. Doctor's don't understand these issues well. A highly trained PT may be more knowledgable. Re: neuro appointment You likely have problems with you scalene muscles. Find a md, chiroprator (preferrably an upper cervical one), a PT, or a rolfer that understands this relationship, especially in regards to carpal tunnel. I would avoid any tunnel release surgery, etc as it is not likely to be helpful.... -----Original Message----- From: " JW " <joyfulfeathers@...> Subj: neuro appointment Date: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:26 pm Size: 14K <neck pain > Well, it's over with. I went and he doesn't think I have a pinched nerve. I asked him why I get the burning shooting pain going down my left arm and the pins and needles in my right arm/hand. He didn't know. He thinks my pain is from muscles being very tight. He did an exam, and then sent me to the lab for a blood draw to check for inflammatory issues. I looked at the lab slip and amongst other things he's checking my thyroid and also for rheumatoid arthritis. I asked him about my painful swollen hands (especially the left) and he said many times carpel tunnel will present this way and I also told him I wake up (both in the middle of the night and in the morning) with numb hands and sometimes numb up toward my elbow. He them tested my wrists by tapping on them with that little rubber hammer and I immediately for a LOT of pain in both hands. He wants to wait for the lab results before saying its carpel tunnel. So, now I get to wait even longer with a VERY painful swollen hand. :-( I'll be researching carpel tunnel in depth tonight. For now, I'm still going to keep my appointment with the back guy on March 6. Joi Gizmo, Yoda, Max, Jazzy, Artemis, Shelby, & Padme' <http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/joyfulfeathers/index.html> Joyful Feathers " Helping Birds Find People " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm still not too sure as I still get a lot of shooting pain or pins and needles from my neck to hands. I was not the driver when we were hit from behind. I did put my hand out to grab the bar (I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a grab bar right in front of the front passenger seat on the dashboard). I think my chiropractor has it right: slightly pinched nerve in my neck (surgery not needed) and because of that my nerves along that " line " are reacting causing nerve pain in my hands. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I do have carpel tunnel though as I have had symptoms for years and I work at a computer all day (editor, graphic artist, and website design & maintenance). I've been on an anti-inflammatory ever since the accident, along with flexaril. Neither seems to be helping anymore. It confuses me as to why my hand is swollen while I'm on the anti-inflammatory. It's like each day it gets a little bigger. It does go down a little by morning, but it just swells up again. I still have quite a lot of pain in that hand when I move it wrong (or right?). I'm also concerned about my wedding ring. I can't budge it anymore and that finger is VERY painful by the end of the day. I don't want to have to have it cut off but what should I do? The neurologist didn't seem alarmed at my hand being so swollen but I am. :-( Do I just wait to see the ortho guy for my back or find a hand ortho guy? I'm getting so sick of having to go over and over this with each health care person but I'm scared about my hand. The only thing I can think of that changed (after thinking about it for almost two weeks now) is I helped my neighbor with a cat. We had to go to her mom's and pick up the cat, put it in a carrier and take him to someone she knows to have him bathed. I thought to myself I shouldn't be the one to help with this, but there wasn't anyone else and she just had knee surgery and is on crutches. If her mom was my mom, I'd have told her it would have to wait until I wasn't on crutches and could carry the cat in the carrier myself. I can't believe her mom expected her to do that in the first place! Anyway, this cat is a VERY large cat...like 20-25 pounds not including the carrier. Could that have caused the flare up? I know my neck/upper back was burning with pain when I had to carry the stupid cat and actually my hands were hurting some too. They felt like the bones were popping. I just can't believe me doing that would cause the hand issue. I've always been a VERY strong person, so this is really weird for me. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crisom-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby & Birdie, pineapple & normal green cheek conures and Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Joi, That's great news that the neuro thinks you don't have a pinched nerve in your neck. So you don't need a spine guy. If it's carpal tunnel, I was thinking that maybe during the accident you gripped the steering wheel really hard and that's what aggravated your wrists. I actually have some carpal tunnel too, but it comes and goes. Perhaps you can take some anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or get steroid injections to take down the inflamation. The inflamation may be causing the pinched nerve in your wrist and not the other way around, so if you could get the inflamation down the nerve pain would go away. The wrist like the neck is a narrow area where lots of structures must pass through and nerve pinching is so much more likely. The kind of doctor you'd go to for this would probably be an ortho, who speciallizes in hand and wrist. Darn, then you probably do need to see one of the orthos that is now overbooked. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm still not too sure as I still get a lot of shooting pain or pins and needles from my neck to hands. I was not the driver when we were hit from behind. I did put my hand out to grab the bar (I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a grab bar right in front of the front passenger seat on the dashboard). I think my chiropractor has it right: slightly pinched nerve in my neck (surgery not needed) and because of that my nerves along that " line " are reacting causing nerve pain in my hands. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I do have carpel tunnel though as I have had symptoms for years and I work at a computer all day (editor, graphic artist, and website design & maintenance). I've been on an anti-inflammatory ever since the accident, along with flexaril. Neither seems to be helping anymore. It confuses me as to why my hand is swollen while I'm on the anti-inflammatory. It's like each day it gets a little bigger. It does go down a little by morning, but it just swells up again. I still have quite a lot of pain in that hand when I move it wrong (or right?). I'm also concerned about my wedding ring. I can't budge it anymore and that finger is VERY painful by the end of the day. I don't want to have to have it cut off but what should I do? The neurologist didn't seem alarmed at my hand being so swollen but I am. :-( Do I just wait to see the ortho guy for my back or find a hand ortho guy? I'm getting so sick of having to go over and over this with each health care person but I'm scared about my hand. The only thing I can think of that changed (after thinking about it for almost two weeks now) is I helped my neighbor with a cat. We had to go to her mom's and pick up the cat, put it in a carrier and take him to someone she knows to have him bathed. I thought to myself I shouldn't be the one to help with this, but there wasn't anyone else and she just had knee surgery and is on crutches. If her mom was my mom, I'd have told her it would have to wait until I wasn't on crutches and could carry the cat in the carrier myself. I can't believe her mom expected her to do that in the first place! Anyway, this cat is a VERY large cat...like 20-25 pounds not including the carrier. Could that have caused the flare up? I know my neck/upper back was burning with pain when I had to carry the stupid cat and actually my hands were hurting some too. They felt like the bones were popping. I just can't believe me doing that would cause the hand issue. I've always been a VERY strong person, so this is really weird for me. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crisom-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby & Birdie, pineapple & normal green cheek conures and Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Joi, That's great news that the neuro thinks you don't have a pinched nerve in your neck. So you don't need a spine guy. If it's carpal tunnel, I was thinking that maybe during the accident you gripped the steering wheel really hard and that's what aggravated your wrists. I actually have some carpal tunnel too, but it comes and goes. Perhaps you can take some anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or get steroid injections to take down the inflamation. The inflamation may be causing the pinched nerve in your wrist and not the other way around, so if you could get the inflamation down the nerve pain would go away. The wrist like the neck is a narrow area where lots of structures must pass through and nerve pinching is so much more likely. The kind of doctor you'd go to for this would probably be an ortho, who speciallizes in hand and wrist. Darn, then you probably do need to see one of the orthos that is now overbooked. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm still not too sure as I still get a lot of shooting pain or pins and needles from my neck to hands. I was not the driver when we were hit from behind. I did put my hand out to grab the bar (I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a grab bar right in front of the front passenger seat on the dashboard). I think my chiropractor has it right: slightly pinched nerve in my neck (surgery not needed) and because of that my nerves along that " line " are reacting causing nerve pain in my hands. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I do have carpel tunnel though as I have had symptoms for years and I work at a computer all day (editor, graphic artist, and website design & maintenance). I've been on an anti-inflammatory ever since the accident, along with flexaril. Neither seems to be helping anymore. It confuses me as to why my hand is swollen while I'm on the anti-inflammatory. It's like each day it gets a little bigger. It does go down a little by morning, but it just swells up again. I still have quite a lot of pain in that hand when I move it wrong (or right?). I'm also concerned about my wedding ring. I can't budge it anymore and that finger is VERY painful by the end of the day. I don't want to have to have it cut off but what should I do? The neurologist didn't seem alarmed at my hand being so swollen but I am. :-( Do I just wait to see the ortho guy for my back or find a hand ortho guy? I'm getting so sick of having to go over and over this with each health care person but I'm scared about my hand. The only thing I can think of that changed (after thinking about it for almost two weeks now) is I helped my neighbor with a cat. We had to go to her mom's and pick up the cat, put it in a carrier and take him to someone she knows to have him bathed. I thought to myself I shouldn't be the one to help with this, but there wasn't anyone else and she just had knee surgery and is on crutches. If her mom was my mom, I'd have told her it would have to wait until I wasn't on crutches and could carry the cat in the carrier myself. I can't believe her mom expected her to do that in the first place! Anyway, this cat is a VERY large cat...like 20-25 pounds not including the carrier. Could that have caused the flare up? I know my neck/upper back was burning with pain when I had to carry the stupid cat and actually my hands were hurting some too. They felt like the bones were popping. I just can't believe me doing that would cause the hand issue. I've always been a VERY strong person, so this is really weird for me. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crisom-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby & Birdie, pineapple & normal green cheek conures and Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Joi, That's great news that the neuro thinks you don't have a pinched nerve in your neck. So you don't need a spine guy. If it's carpal tunnel, I was thinking that maybe during the accident you gripped the steering wheel really hard and that's what aggravated your wrists. I actually have some carpal tunnel too, but it comes and goes. Perhaps you can take some anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or get steroid injections to take down the inflamation. The inflamation may be causing the pinched nerve in your wrist and not the other way around, so if you could get the inflamation down the nerve pain would go away. The wrist like the neck is a narrow area where lots of structures must pass through and nerve pinching is so much more likely. The kind of doctor you'd go to for this would probably be an ortho, who speciallizes in hand and wrist. Darn, then you probably do need to see one of the orthos that is now overbooked. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm still not too sure as I still get a lot of shooting pain or pins and needles from my neck to hands. I was not the driver when we were hit from behind. I did put my hand out to grab the bar (I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a grab bar right in front of the front passenger seat on the dashboard). I think my chiropractor has it right: slightly pinched nerve in my neck (surgery not needed) and because of that my nerves along that " line " are reacting causing nerve pain in my hands. It wouldn't surprise me at all if I do have carpel tunnel though as I have had symptoms for years and I work at a computer all day (editor, graphic artist, and website design & maintenance). I've been on an anti-inflammatory ever since the accident, along with flexaril. Neither seems to be helping anymore. It confuses me as to why my hand is swollen while I'm on the anti-inflammatory. It's like each day it gets a little bigger. It does go down a little by morning, but it just swells up again. I still have quite a lot of pain in that hand when I move it wrong (or right?). I'm also concerned about my wedding ring. I can't budge it anymore and that finger is VERY painful by the end of the day. I don't want to have to have it cut off but what should I do? The neurologist didn't seem alarmed at my hand being so swollen but I am. :-( Do I just wait to see the ortho guy for my back or find a hand ortho guy? I'm getting so sick of having to go over and over this with each health care person but I'm scared about my hand. The only thing I can think of that changed (after thinking about it for almost two weeks now) is I helped my neighbor with a cat. We had to go to her mom's and pick up the cat, put it in a carrier and take him to someone she knows to have him bathed. I thought to myself I shouldn't be the one to help with this, but there wasn't anyone else and she just had knee surgery and is on crutches. If her mom was my mom, I'd have told her it would have to wait until I wasn't on crutches and could carry the cat in the carrier myself. I can't believe her mom expected her to do that in the first place! Anyway, this cat is a VERY large cat...like 20-25 pounds not including the carrier. Could that have caused the flare up? I know my neck/upper back was burning with pain when I had to carry the stupid cat and actually my hands were hurting some too. They felt like the bones were popping. I just can't believe me doing that would cause the hand issue. I've always been a VERY strong person, so this is really weird for me. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crisom-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby & Birdie, pineapple & normal green cheek conures and Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Joi, That's great news that the neuro thinks you don't have a pinched nerve in your neck. So you don't need a spine guy. If it's carpal tunnel, I was thinking that maybe during the accident you gripped the steering wheel really hard and that's what aggravated your wrists. I actually have some carpal tunnel too, but it comes and goes. Perhaps you can take some anti-inflamatories like ibuprofen or get steroid injections to take down the inflamation. The inflamation may be causing the pinched nerve in your wrist and not the other way around, so if you could get the inflamation down the nerve pain would go away. The wrist like the neck is a narrow area where lots of structures must pass through and nerve pinching is so much more likely. The kind of doctor you'd go to for this would probably be an ortho, who speciallizes in hand and wrist. Darn, then you probably do need to see one of the orthos that is now overbooked. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I called my regular doc for a referral, which they will put in, to a highly recommended PT guy and he's even very close to my house! They are going to call me tomorrow to set up the appointment. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Fronted Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple green cheek conure Birdie, normal green cheek conure And Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment You likely have problems with you scalene muscles. Find a md, chiroprator (preferrably an upper cervical one), a PT, or a rolfer that understands this relationship, especially in regards to carpal tunnel. I would avoid any tunnel release surgery, etc as it is not likely to be helpful.... -----Original Message----- From: " JW " <joyfulfeathers@...> Subj: neuro appointment Date: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:26 pm Size: 14K <neck pain > Well, it's over with. I went and he doesn't think I have a pinched nerve. I asked him why I get the burning shooting pain going down my left arm and the pins and needles in my right arm/hand. He didn't know. He thinks my pain is from muscles being very tight. He did an exam, and then sent me to the lab for a blood draw to check for inflammatory issues. I looked at the lab slip and amongst other things he's checking my thyroid and also for rheumatoid arthritis. I asked him about my painful swollen hands (especially the left) and he said many times carpel tunnel will present this way and I also told him I wake up (both in the middle of the night and in the morning) with numb hands and sometimes numb up toward my elbow. He them tested my wrists by tapping on them with that little rubber hammer and I immediately for a LOT of pain in both hands. He wants to wait for the lab results before saying its carpel tunnel. So, now I get to wait even longer with a VERY painful swollen hand. :-( I'll be researching carpel tunnel in depth tonight. For now, I'm still going to keep my appointment with the back guy on March 6. Joi Gizmo, Yoda, Max, Jazzy, Artemis, Shelby, & Padme' <http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/joyfulfeathers/index.html> Joyful Feathers " Helping Birds Find People " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I called my regular doc for a referral, which they will put in, to a highly recommended PT guy and he's even very close to my house! They are going to call me tomorrow to set up the appointment. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Fronted Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple green cheek conure Birdie, normal green cheek conure And Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment You likely have problems with you scalene muscles. Find a md, chiroprator (preferrably an upper cervical one), a PT, or a rolfer that understands this relationship, especially in regards to carpal tunnel. I would avoid any tunnel release surgery, etc as it is not likely to be helpful.... -----Original Message----- From: " JW " <joyfulfeathers@...> Subj: neuro appointment Date: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:26 pm Size: 14K <neck pain > Well, it's over with. I went and he doesn't think I have a pinched nerve. I asked him why I get the burning shooting pain going down my left arm and the pins and needles in my right arm/hand. He didn't know. He thinks my pain is from muscles being very tight. He did an exam, and then sent me to the lab for a blood draw to check for inflammatory issues. I looked at the lab slip and amongst other things he's checking my thyroid and also for rheumatoid arthritis. I asked him about my painful swollen hands (especially the left) and he said many times carpel tunnel will present this way and I also told him I wake up (both in the middle of the night and in the morning) with numb hands and sometimes numb up toward my elbow. He them tested my wrists by tapping on them with that little rubber hammer and I immediately for a LOT of pain in both hands. He wants to wait for the lab results before saying its carpel tunnel. So, now I get to wait even longer with a VERY painful swollen hand. :-( I'll be researching carpel tunnel in depth tonight. For now, I'm still going to keep my appointment with the back guy on March 6. Joi Gizmo, Yoda, Max, Jazzy, Artemis, Shelby, & Padme' <http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/joyfulfeathers/index.html> Joyful Feathers " Helping Birds Find People " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I called my regular doc for a referral, which they will put in, to a highly recommended PT guy and he's even very close to my house! They are going to call me tomorrow to set up the appointment. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Fronted Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple green cheek conure Birdie, normal green cheek conure And Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment You likely have problems with you scalene muscles. Find a md, chiroprator (preferrably an upper cervical one), a PT, or a rolfer that understands this relationship, especially in regards to carpal tunnel. I would avoid any tunnel release surgery, etc as it is not likely to be helpful.... -----Original Message----- From: " JW " <joyfulfeathers@...> Subj: neuro appointment Date: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:26 pm Size: 14K <neck pain > Well, it's over with. I went and he doesn't think I have a pinched nerve. I asked him why I get the burning shooting pain going down my left arm and the pins and needles in my right arm/hand. He didn't know. He thinks my pain is from muscles being very tight. He did an exam, and then sent me to the lab for a blood draw to check for inflammatory issues. I looked at the lab slip and amongst other things he's checking my thyroid and also for rheumatoid arthritis. I asked him about my painful swollen hands (especially the left) and he said many times carpel tunnel will present this way and I also told him I wake up (both in the middle of the night and in the morning) with numb hands and sometimes numb up toward my elbow. He them tested my wrists by tapping on them with that little rubber hammer and I immediately for a LOT of pain in both hands. He wants to wait for the lab results before saying its carpel tunnel. So, now I get to wait even longer with a VERY painful swollen hand. :-( I'll be researching carpel tunnel in depth tonight. For now, I'm still going to keep my appointment with the back guy on March 6. Joi Gizmo, Yoda, Max, Jazzy, Artemis, Shelby, & Padme' <http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/joyfulfeathers/index.html> Joyful Feathers " Helping Birds Find People " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I called my regular doc for a referral, which they will put in, to a highly recommended PT guy and he's even very close to my house! They are going to call me tomorrow to set up the appointment. Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Fronted Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple green cheek conure Birdie, normal green cheek conure And Padme', rosifrons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment You likely have problems with you scalene muscles. Find a md, chiroprator (preferrably an upper cervical one), a PT, or a rolfer that understands this relationship, especially in regards to carpal tunnel. I would avoid any tunnel release surgery, etc as it is not likely to be helpful.... -----Original Message----- From: " JW " <joyfulfeathers@...> Subj: neuro appointment Date: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:26 pm Size: 14K <neck pain > Well, it's over with. I went and he doesn't think I have a pinched nerve. I asked him why I get the burning shooting pain going down my left arm and the pins and needles in my right arm/hand. He didn't know. He thinks my pain is from muscles being very tight. He did an exam, and then sent me to the lab for a blood draw to check for inflammatory issues. I looked at the lab slip and amongst other things he's checking my thyroid and also for rheumatoid arthritis. I asked him about my painful swollen hands (especially the left) and he said many times carpel tunnel will present this way and I also told him I wake up (both in the middle of the night and in the morning) with numb hands and sometimes numb up toward my elbow. He them tested my wrists by tapping on them with that little rubber hammer and I immediately for a LOT of pain in both hands. He wants to wait for the lab results before saying its carpel tunnel. So, now I get to wait even longer with a VERY painful swollen hand. :-( I'll be researching carpel tunnel in depth tonight. For now, I'm still going to keep my appointment with the back guy on March 6. Joi Gizmo, Yoda, Max, Jazzy, Artemis, Shelby, & Padme' <http://www.toolady.com/www/breeders/joyfulfeathers/index.html> Joyful Feathers " Helping Birds Find People " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                 \     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                 \     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                 \     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                 \     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,     Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it.    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement.                                                                               Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,     Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it.    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement.                                                                               Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,     Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it.    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement.                                                                               Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 Hi Joi,     Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it.    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement.                                                                               Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 This cat was an inside cat and declawed. No scratches that I can find anywhere. He's an old, really mellow cat. I'm just going for the ride at this point. I got a call from the car insurance saying that the chiroprator's report said he was now also treating for the previous back pain, that not all was due from the accident. While my hands might be that case, I know my neck isn't. I was NOT on perscription meds before the accident and was only seeing the chiro for adjustment and massage once per month. I can't not take the meds because my neck flares up so badly I can't stay upright if I don't. I have no idea where he got his info but I did call the office and left a voice mail for him. I'm not a happy camper. Joi > > Hi Joi, >  >    Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it. >    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement. >  >                                                                              Rochelle > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 This cat was an inside cat and declawed. No scratches that I can find anywhere. He's an old, really mellow cat. I'm just going for the ride at this point. I got a call from the car insurance saying that the chiroprator's report said he was now also treating for the previous back pain, that not all was due from the accident. While my hands might be that case, I know my neck isn't. I was NOT on perscription meds before the accident and was only seeing the chiro for adjustment and massage once per month. I can't not take the meds because my neck flares up so badly I can't stay upright if I don't. I have no idea where he got his info but I did call the office and left a voice mail for him. I'm not a happy camper. Joi > > Hi Joi, >  >    Maybe you have cat scratch fever. Some people do not remember being scratched by a cat. But the bacteria can be carried on the fur and if you had a small cut on your hand you could get infected. It takes over a week to show up, lasts a month or two and usually goes away on its own. The lymph glands are involved and your hand would be swollen and painful. Also the swelling would tend to reduce if your hand was elevated. Antibiotics can be used to treat it. If at all possible can you try to take your wedding band off. Elevate your hand above your head for a while, try oiling it. >    Because of the swelling and inflamation, your doctor is doing those rheumatological tests. There has to be some kind of inflammatory process, not just nerve impingement. >  >                                                                              Rochelle > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 That's what the neuro doc wants to do next. Does carpel tunnel cause swelling? Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple mutation Green-cheeked conure Birdie, normal Green-cheeked conure & Padme', rosirfons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 That's what the neuro doc wants to do next. Does carpel tunnel cause swelling? Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple mutation Green-cheeked conure Birdie, normal Green-cheeked conure & Padme', rosirfons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment Hi Joi,    A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that.                                                                                     Rochelle   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi Joi,     From what I have read and from people I know with run-of-the-mill carpal tunnel syndrome, there is no visible swelling involved. However, if you have some other illness that causes swelling in the wrist where the median nerve runs through then you can have pinching of the nerve and get all the symptoms of carpal tunnel. Some of the other causes of carpal tunnel-like symptoms are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, hypothyroidism (causes deposition of glycogen under the skin thickening the wrist--I saw this happen to my mom) and obesity,  Here is an article from webmd on Carpal Tunnel (They have great medical articles). Rochelle  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Symptoms The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain felt in the fingers or, less commonly, in the palm. Symptoms most often occur in the parts of the hand supplied by the median nerve: the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If your little finger is not affected, this may be a sign that the condition is carpal tunnel syndrome, because the little finger is usually controlled by a different nerve than the thumb and other fingers. See a picture of areas affected in the hand. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often occur in both hands, but symptoms are usually worse in one hand than the other. You may first notice symptoms at night. People with carpal tunnel syndrome can usually fall asleep, but pain or numbness may wake them up. Mild carpal tunnel symptoms primarily affect the hand and sometimes the forearm, but they can radiate up to the shoulder. Symptoms include: Numbness or pain in your hand, forearm, or wrist that awakens you at night. (Shaking or moving your fingers may ease this numbness and pain.) Occasional tingling, numbness, " pins-and-needles " sensation, or pain. The feeling is similar to your hand " falling asleep. " Numbness or pain that gets worse while you are using your hand or wrist, especially when gripping an object with your hand or bending (flexing) your wrist. Occasional aching pain in your forearm between your elbow and wrist. Stiffness in your fingers when you get up in the morning. With moderate or severe carpal tunnel symptoms, you may have numbness or reduced strength and grip in your fingers, thumb, or hand. It may be difficult to: Do simple hand movements, such as brushing your hair or holding a fork. You may accidentally drop objects. Pinch an object between your thumb and first finger (loss of pinch strength). Use your thumb while doing simple tasks such as opening a jar or using a screwdriver. With long-lasting carpal tunnel syndrome, the thumb muscles can get smaller and weaker (atrophy). Not all pain in the wrist or hand is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many other conditions with similar symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi Joi,     From what I have read and from people I know with run-of-the-mill carpal tunnel syndrome, there is no visible swelling involved. However, if you have some other illness that causes swelling in the wrist where the median nerve runs through then you can have pinching of the nerve and get all the symptoms of carpal tunnel. Some of the other causes of carpal tunnel-like symptoms are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, hypothyroidism (causes deposition of glycogen under the skin thickening the wrist--I saw this happen to my mom) and obesity,  Here is an article from webmd on Carpal Tunnel (They have great medical articles). Rochelle  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Symptoms The most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain felt in the fingers or, less commonly, in the palm. Symptoms most often occur in the parts of the hand supplied by the median nerve: the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If your little finger is not affected, this may be a sign that the condition is carpal tunnel syndrome, because the little finger is usually controlled by a different nerve than the thumb and other fingers. See a picture of areas affected in the hand. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often occur in both hands, but symptoms are usually worse in one hand than the other. You may first notice symptoms at night. People with carpal tunnel syndrome can usually fall asleep, but pain or numbness may wake them up. Mild carpal tunnel symptoms primarily affect the hand and sometimes the forearm, but they can radiate up to the shoulder. Symptoms include: Numbness or pain in your hand, forearm, or wrist that awakens you at night. (Shaking or moving your fingers may ease this numbness and pain.) Occasional tingling, numbness, " pins-and-needles " sensation, or pain. The feeling is similar to your hand " falling asleep. " Numbness or pain that gets worse while you are using your hand or wrist, especially when gripping an object with your hand or bending (flexing) your wrist. Occasional aching pain in your forearm between your elbow and wrist. Stiffness in your fingers when you get up in the morning. With moderate or severe carpal tunnel symptoms, you may have numbness or reduced strength and grip in your fingers, thumb, or hand. It may be difficult to: Do simple hand movements, such as brushing your hair or holding a fork. You may accidentally drop objects. Pinch an object between your thumb and first finger (loss of pinch strength). Use your thumb while doing simple tasks such as opening a jar or using a screwdriver. With long-lasting carpal tunnel syndrome, the thumb muscles can get smaller and weaker (atrophy). Not all pain in the wrist or hand is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. There are many other conditions with similar symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 No it does not cause swelling. Deb Rn From: neck pain [mailto:neck pain ] On Behalf Of JW Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 1:49 AM neck pain Subject: RE: Re: neuro appointment That's what the neuro doc wants to do next. Does carpel tunnel cause swelling? Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple mutation Green-cheeked conure Birdie, normal Green-cheeked conure & Padme', rosirfons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment Hi Joi, A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2009 Report Share Posted February 22, 2009 No it does not cause swelling. Deb Rn From: neck pain [mailto:neck pain ] On Behalf Of JW Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 1:49 AM neck pain Subject: RE: Re: neuro appointment That's what the neuro doc wants to do next. Does carpel tunnel cause swelling? Joi Gizmo & Yoda, Papillons " The Girls " Max, Blue Front Amazon Jazzy, Crimson-bellied conure Artemis, Painted conure Shelby, Pineapple mutation Green-cheeked conure Birdie, normal Green-cheeked conure & Padme', rosirfons conure " Helping Birds Find People " Re: neuro appointment Hi Joi, A while back when my hands were bothering me and also I had a lot of the usual neck pain, I had a nerve conduction test that showed it wasn't a flare of nerve root pain but carpal tunnel, which never would have occured to me. I was ready to do more epidurals but didn't need to do that. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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