Anyone have experience of nerve compression?

[funk]

First off definitely not seeking medical advice, let me make that abundantly clear!

Truth is I'm bricking it and I am wondering if anyone around these parts has had a similar experience?

Due to have an MRI later today for my right hand which may end up in surgery. I've lost feeling in some of my fingers, they don't have as much movement as my left hand, less strength, shooting pains up arm etc.

Essentially, I'm at fear of not being able to work properly (office work etc.) plus, having to tone down the small amount of gaming I do take part in, I'm not even 40.

On one hand I'm relieved it's unlikely to be arthritis and I've been told high level this should be fixable, it's just what I'm potentially going to have to part ways with or start living with strict moderation of anything that puts that sort of strain on me

 

[pobtastic]

YES! Me - this is 100% me. So ... in 2012 (at 37 years old) my diagnosis was;

...
Conclusion: Cervical spondylosis/ a large disc protrusion at C6-7 with compression of the right neural foramen.

Recommendation: For an urgent spinal surgical consultation.

They strongly recommended surgery (ACDF, where they open you up from the front through your neck) but also said that even though I was so far advanced that physio would be beneficial. I took the physio route and even though I had trouble walking, dizziness, couldn't feel either hand from the wrist downwards (and same, lacking in strength) - I did manage to make quite a recovery. Not a complete recovery of course ... I still can't always feel my fingers (actually, it's more like that it's abnormal that I can - and before then, OMG - I get crazy pins and needles in them) and moving my head left and right is still incredibly painful. But ... I'm a programmer, and spend all my time in front of a screen and I'm still going 9 years on from that diagnosis.

Honestly, embrace the physio. It's hard at first, and you don't even really feel like it's doing anything, but it paid off for me at least.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[funk]

Much appreciated thanks for taking the time to respond. The age, uncanny and exactly the same.

Sounds like you've been through the wars and have been much worse than I am right now, from where I'm at so far it's looking like my elbow/wrist and not my spine thankfully. It gives me some hope and for that I thank you!

Survey wise I'm ignorant, but I'm assuming elbow/wrist surgery will be much less intense than what was proposed to you. I believe there are the options for injections and physio combined for me but I'm waiting on confirmation around all that.

When I look back, having been a spectrum kid from about 5-8, then an Amiga kid, PC etc. I've been using mice for upwards of 30 years, near enough every day so I've only myself to blame.

 

[penrhos]

Same sort of problem - I've suffered from nerve pain for years brought on by a fall where I chipped a few vertebrae in my spine and fractured my coccyx. it manifests as pins & needles and loss of sensation in fingers & more worryingly in my case feet and legs.

I had a few MRI scans and physio with steroid injections, which cleared up most of the issues with my hands. But I've been left with Coccydynia and Sciatica as the nerve channels to my legs are restricted so it flares up with the slightest aggravation.

Having an MRI is weird it's like being inside a doughnut shaped scanner - not one I'd recommend for the claustrophobic among us.

 

[funk]

I'm more worried about falling asleep

said it'd potentially take over an hour.

 

[cools]

Learn to use your other hand, and get more exercise of your arms and wrists. Take the physio.

I developed problems in my teens and this was the only permanent solution.

 

[Shinydaz]

I have damaged nerves in my lower back, below my knee left feels constantly numb with pins and needles and is weak and also suffer with sciatica. I do try and keep very active. Its not half as bad as you guys, but its still a concern for the future.

 

[Retroman839]

went on mri to try to donate kidney to my brother- yeh pretty weird machine electro magnetic - like being in a big
crt!

back yep i get sciatica
sledging accident when was about 12
then work aggravated,

my friend just had spinal surgery amd he is much better after a crushed vertibra
they shaved a disc,
he is better now

 

[Bensonrad]

I had issues with my left arm/hand/wrist about 10 years ago, the doctors deemed it was Tennis Elbow or it might have been Golfers Elbow. What I did was stop using a normal keyboard at work and at a home, so have used an Ergonomic keyboard and and upright mouse since, also made sure my monitor was the correct height etc. That eventually seemed to solve it, I remember going to various doctors, hospitals, scans, having physio, steroid injections to the area, doing stretches etc. I was bricking it that it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and I'd have to have surgery, but eventually it seemed to go away.

 

[penrhos]

I must admit - when we were told to "Work from home" at the beginning of the first lockdown I checked with HR and was allowed to take my Ergo' keyboard, trackball-mouse, wrist rest, foot-rest & chair home.. I could have taken my monitor too but the one I have at home is much better so I didn't bother.

Having an Ergonomic office chair instead of the "Gamers chair" I had previously made a lot of difference to the level of back pain I get.

 

[Ropi Jo]

YES! Me - this is 100% me. So ... in 2012 (at 37 years old) my diagnosis was;

...
Conclusion: Cervical spondylosis/ a large disc protrusion at C6-7 with compression of the right neural foramen.

Recommendation: For an urgent spinal surgical consultation.

Almost identical diagnosis for me, when I was 39.

Had all the usual symptoms since mid 20s... painful arms/hands/fingers with the most burning pins and needles.

Couldn't keep my arms above my head for more than 30 seconds.

Couldn't even wear tight(ish) sleeves. Seemed to cut the blood circulation to my arms.

Couldn't rest my arms on any hard surface without all the above pains.

Finally got the diagnosis from my GP at 39 and went for all the scans and tests etc.

Scans and tests showed nothing so they sent me for physio.

Physio took about 15 seconds to diagnose the problem..."It's your posture. You need to sit up straighter" was their actual diagnosis.

That was 16 yrs ago.

Still have all these symptoms today.

Just learned to live with it.

 

[Bensonrad]

I must admit - when we were told to "Work from home" at the beginning of the first lockdown I checked with HR and was allowed to take my Ergo' keyboard, trackball-mouse, wrist rest, foot-rest & chair home.. I could have taken my monitor too but the one I have at home is much better so I didn't bother.

Having an Ergonomic office chair instead of the "Gamers chair" I had previously made a lot of difference to the level of back pain I get.

100% I had planned to still go to the office for one last day and bring all my stuff home, but Boris issued the lockdown (first one) that night, my work bought me a new keyboard and mouse and after a few months sent me a work office chair, that did the world of wonders, as my home casual chair was killing my back.

 

[ColinD]

I have had pins and needles in my right hand 1st and 2nd fingers for a couple of years. Kind of comes and goes with a bit of a baseline. I'm 50 this year. I also have a tendency to lie on my right arm, so thought it was possibly down to that.



My father had Cervical spondylosis and had awful pain in his hands, he got something cut in his wrists that helped relieve some of the symptoms so maybe he had two issues.

I had a x-ray a 18 months ago and yep got Cervical spondylosis too along with an extra rib (or part of) in my shoulder /collar? I think perhaps where all the nerves route through / around. No advice to get an operation, maybe that's to come if I get much worse ?




Had a little bit of physio (more advice than anything), he said I also had bad posture as soon as he saw me walk in, I have delayed reflexes and he advised stretching exercises (slides ?). That does help a little.


ColinD2021-02-22 11:34:35

 

[funk]

Although the posture thing doesn't impact me right now, what gets me is "improve your posture", so hard to do if you've been walking around and sitting as you do all of your life!