Nerve damage...

Hi everyone I am new here and wondering if anyone could relate to me...

I was diagnosed with 'Saturday night palsy' which I think is compression of the ulnar nerve around 3 or 4 months ago and was told it would get better in maybe a week, which it didn't! I had numbness and electric shock feelings (mainly in the little finger and fingertip of my ring finger) when I tapped the outside of my wrist on the outside edge. The numbness pretty much went but I wouldn't say I have 100% sensation in my little and ring finger but the electric shocks stayed, but it wasn't bothering me too much so I didn't go back to my GP (who is less than compassionate anyway). However in the last few days I noticed that when touching the underside of my hand I get very bad electric shock feelings in my ring finger and slight ones in my little finger and also if I tap the top of my hand. The fact I get these feelings when touching the bottom of my hand is really interfering with my every day activities... I have also noticed a slight lack of sensation around my ankles and constant tingling in my feet, along with a cold feeling although my leg is not particularly cold to touch. I get periodic pain with both areas that is sometimes severe.

I am horrendously depressed over this as it is really affecting my quality of life. Is there anything I can do or take to improve this? Is there a chance it can heal itself, seeing as symptoms pretty much went away for a couple of months? Could it just be signs of the nerve healing?

Hi there

The nerve is trapped or compressed (I really don't know anymore) at the wrist, I slept on it wearing a braceletthat was too tight. It's only really bad if touched and no position seems to make it better or worse... :(

I had PINS syndrome which involves the motor branch of the same nerve-at the elbow.

So my outer two fingers were paralyzed but not numb.

I second the idea of OT/PT-in my case the hand specialist-and yes you NEED a hand specialist many won't do nerves, was a PT rather than an OT.

I went about 8 weeks without treatment with two hand surgeons doing the whole you must have surgery thing.  I had read about the condition and decided that surgery could wait.

The neurologist agreed with me (have you had an EMG and nerve conduction test-if not go have those) agreed with me.

Therapy consisted of wearing a splint to stretch the tendons that were shorted due to the paralysed muscles, and doing all the things that made my hand hurt-obsessively. (don't do that unless a doc you trust tells you to).

My rhuematologist who I love recommended the surgeon and neurologist.

I never did need surgery, my range of motion is about 85% the constanct achy pain is gone.

Hmm, I told the hand surgeon to order PT, he was disgusted but did it.
Then when I wanted more therapy because it was working but I still needed more help and the original sessions were ending my rhuematologist ordered it.

I would go to the GP and say that you had done some research and therapy is usually the recomended conservative course of treatment, that you are still having pain and want to give it a try.

Quite frankly if a GP won't agree to that under the circumstances, I think I would fire him/her. I did fire the first hand surgeon who was so annoyed by my request for therapy.

i think time has proved him wrong. i would ask again and if he doesnt take action you really need to find someone else. its rediculous to suffer this long. has he no compassion?......pal pete

I'm very nervous of getting a EMG because I thik they use needles for one part of it?? I'm also quite startled as I accidently tapped the thumb side of my wrist and I am getting the same feelings in my thumb now too along with a slightly odd feeling radiating up my arm..

Hi Brasspetals & welcome to the chronic pain form. You have been given some good ideas here, but keep in mind none of us are doctors. We just speak strictly from our own personal experiences.

You would probably do well to see a neurologist since you are having trouble with both your feet & hands. This really should be checked by a doctor before doing anything. If your PCP is not willing to refer you out, then I would be finding a new PCP. Something is going on to cause these problems & you need to know what.

Take care & keep us posted....Susie