I hate to ask, but the situation is just so bad... Earlier this year, I started having intense pain that would start in the index finger of my left hand and then radiate to the rest of my fingers and up my hand and wrist. It feels like someone is trying to hammer a nail through my fingernail, and then trying to smash my hand with a hammer while sticking an entire box of pins in my fingertips. To touch anything with my left hand while this is happening adds the additional sensation of feeling like my hand is on fire.
The first diagnosis was carpal tunnel syndrome, which turned out to be incorrect. The next suspect was peripheral neuropathy - potentially nerve damage as a result of an underproducing thyroid. I went through the EMG process, and no nerve damage in my hand, arm or neck was found.
Next step was MRIs. A bone spur and a compressed C6 disc in my neck were found, potentially causing the pain by pinching a nerve in my neck that connects to my hand. I've been going through physical therapy/posture retraining, which would hopefully help alleviate the problem.
It seemed to be working for a while - but basically since early December the pain is back and with a vengeance. It is terribly debilitating. A heating pad on my hand, for unknown reasons, often helps. But the pain can last anywhere from minutes to hours, and instead of the 2 - 3 attacks a day, I've been experiencing 5 - 6 a day, and waking up at night now with attacks 5 - 6 times a night. Any time I have to go out, I bring a pack that can be heated in a microwave - and often we find ourselves pulling over at fast food restaurants and paying them to microwave my heating pad!
The Docs are basically at a loss for what to do at this point, other than potentially recommend surgery to remove the bone spur. I am completely uninterested in neck surgery, though may have no choice but to try, because living like this is almost unbearable.
I'm starting acupuncture next week, and Gary and I are going to find an instructor in some type of marial art like Tai Kwon Do - something that involves a lot of movement, but smooth, easy movement. I sooooooo hope the acupuncture can help this unbearable situation! Your good thoughts, vibes and/or prayers would be so appreciated. I really hate asking for stuff for myself, but I seem to have hit a brick wall with this, and I really want to get past it!!!!!
The first diagnosis was carpal tunnel syndrome, which turned out to be incorrect. The next suspect was peripheral neuropathy - potentially nerve damage as a result of an underproducing thyroid. I went through the EMG process, and no nerve damage in my hand, arm or neck was found.
Next step was MRIs. A bone spur and a compressed C6 disc in my neck were found, potentially causing the pain by pinching a nerve in my neck that connects to my hand. I've been going through physical therapy/posture retraining, which would hopefully help alleviate the problem.
It seemed to be working for a while - but basically since early December the pain is back and with a vengeance. It is terribly debilitating. A heating pad on my hand, for unknown reasons, often helps. But the pain can last anywhere from minutes to hours, and instead of the 2 - 3 attacks a day, I've been experiencing 5 - 6 a day, and waking up at night now with attacks 5 - 6 times a night. Any time I have to go out, I bring a pack that can be heated in a microwave - and often we find ourselves pulling over at fast food restaurants and paying them to microwave my heating pad!
The Docs are basically at a loss for what to do at this point, other than potentially recommend surgery to remove the bone spur. I am completely uninterested in neck surgery, though may have no choice but to try, because living like this is almost unbearable.
I'm starting acupuncture next week, and Gary and I are going to find an instructor in some type of marial art like Tai Kwon Do - something that involves a lot of movement, but smooth, easy movement. I sooooooo hope the acupuncture can help this unbearable situation! Your good thoughts, vibes and/or prayers would be so appreciated. I really hate asking for stuff for myself, but I seem to have hit a brick wall with this, and I really want to get past it!!!!!
