Hey guys remember me??
As some of you know I had C5-7 cervical fusion with instrumentation back on March 26th of this year. I went back to work in late June as my time allowed off from work was at it's end. For the most part I have been managing my pain alright with various drugs and just taking it slow. Lately I have been getting numbness in my entire right arm starting from the shoulder blade, shoulder, right down to the wrist and middle finger. I occasionally have both forearms tingling with the wrists and occasionally both hands as well at times. My neuro says it can be stemming from pressure on my C-8 where the Ulnar nerves come in (I also wake up with both outer hands numb. Always both at the same time)
Good news is I'm going for an MRI this coming Monday (first one of my cervical since post op)
I read something about Thoracic "something" syndrome. Anyone have any thoughts??
Ps. still have my neck and shoulder pain
Thanks
Take care and Be Well
hi tpm...it is always good to hear from you and to know that you are back at work is wonderful. I am sorry to hear that you are still experiencing medical issues and of course pain however. I can't answer your question, but usually Bad Boy comes along about this time so he will most likely have these answers for you... best wishes and good luck.... Red
Hi tpm, it's Great to Hear from you!! I'm not familiar with the Area You are having Problems with, but I'm sure Someone will be on to Help, I just wanted to Say HI!! Best of Luck, and don't be such a Stranger!!
I do and it sounds like you may have scar tissue.......are you a red head?I also had c5-7 fused and massive scar tissue.....also had c 3-4 go down.....MRI is good but I believe I would ask for a disc o gram...have you fused?
TPM,
Good to see you again but sorry you are still having problems. I think the Thorasic problem you are talking about is called TOS, Thorasic Outlet Syndrome. Try looking it up on one of the medical sites. I have read about it but can't remember anything about it. Hope the MRI goes ok and hope you feel better soon. Glad I got to see a long lost friend on here. Welcome back and don't stay gone so long. God Bless!
Cajun Hugsssssssss,
MJC
Thanks for the relies everyone, really nice hearing from you all. Sorry I haven't been around but I 've been having a rough work schedule and then just crashing when I get home.
To answer your question Jayne... Yes and No One fusion is taking really well and the other hardly even started yet. (ex-ray taken in late August) Doc said to wait another 6 months to see what happens BUT if I get any arm numbness or tingling to contact him. He sees a problem with my C-4-5 which I knew was bad already and said it most likely is causing me pain due to the ridging that is showing. When I had my discography (same as a discogram??) back in January it didn't hold any contrast during the CT scan
Thanks again and it's nice to hear from all my friends!
I won't be a stranger Limbo, promise.
Take care and Be well
Just a little update
Had my MRI today and should have the report tomorrow or Wednesday. Will keep you posted.
An MRI seems like no big deal until you're actually laying in one and not able to move or cough, or.... It was pure torture, rather have an EMG test. (which I will have again next month).
Take care and Be well
Thank you imsckofit for the kind words. I'm hoping the report won't show too much but just enough to let the doc know what to fix. (if you know what I mean) Kinda hoping it shows a little something wrong to fix what's broken.
Thanks again
Take care and Be Well
tpm
Maybe it's something that can be fixed as far as the nerve compression goes.
As imsckofit says - TOS isn't something fun to deal with as I also deal with it daily. Would rather have all my wisdom teeth pulled the same day again than deal with this daily ....... lol
Some of the things they tell you to do with toss is to avoid doing things overhead or chest level. Try not to sleep with your arms under your pillow if possible (I can't do this one as I have slept with one under my pillow forever and a day).
When reading - put a pillow under your arms to help balance the book to lesson the strain on your arms.
I am sure I will remember more as time goes on - right now drawing a blank as most of mine are now automatically done.