Hi, I'm new to this forum, even though I have been reading it for a couple of months now, I went to the dr today because of the symptoms of pain, it started with pain in right pinky finger and ring finger w/tingling and numbness, then moved to entire hand w/fingers, pain in both wrists, forearms, elbows and neck pain. Now I did go to the Dr approx. 2 to 3 yrs ago to get my previous carpal tunnel case reopened (had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery 1999 rt wrtist/2000 lt wrist) the Dr told me my NCV tests were normal and I was fine, well the pain did stop but bec of all the increase work it started approx 6 mos ago.

I had xrays done that did not show arthritis or broken bones, he said I have myofascia pain and will eventually go away with exercises.
I asked him if he was going to do the nerve conduction studies? he said no I don't need them with the exam he did?
I'm not sure if this is true or not?
I will be doing the exercises? but what is my next step?
He also told me to go to a chiropractor to have some muscle therapy done, and take advil for pain.

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're in pain. What type of dr did you see for your current symptoms? GP, ortho sports, ortho hand, neurolist etc.

Cindy

Hi Cindy again,

I went to an Osteopath D.O., because of the office exam he felt nerve conduction studies was not necessary, he stated I have muscular pain, or something, I'm not sure what I need to do now?

The pain and numbness in your ring and pinky fingers is a definite sign of CuTS. However, I think your smorgasbord of pain and symptoms threw off the doctor. It went from a "simple" CuTS case to something way more complex.

How old are you? Does your family have a predisposition to RA (rheumatoid arthritis)? If so, then perhaps you should get a blood test for that, as it's important to catch and treat it early.

Bottom line, once your pain went from something specific to an entire upper body experience, it became difficult for your doctor to diagnose and treat. But don't give up! Find another doctor and keep trying until you get to the bottom of what's causing your problems.

Happy New Year, sorry I've been away for awhile,
I am age 50 now.

I did see my regular physician (internal medicine)on this past Monday 1/11th for something else, I mentioned my symptoms to him, and he did some tests and stated I have carpal tunnel syndrome, the only thing that will help this pain is to have surgery again, he did give me splints to wear all the time, and some exercises to do, but in a couple of months if this doesn't help I'll need bilateral carpal tunnel surgery again, he will have to do the nerve conduction studies first, then send me to a hand surgeon.

I mentioned the pain in my pinky finger, he stated that's in the joints which is arthritis, I don't know what to think now?

Thanks

Hi,

I know how frustrating it can be when the dx is unclear. I'm a little confused by your last doctor's statement that your ring finger and pinky is arthritic. I was under the understanding that nerve problems (and a few other things) cause numbness, I've never heard of arthritis causing numbness??

I would try going to a hand specialist, upper extremity dr, or a sports medicine dr for another exam of your current issues.

Does your health insurance allow you to go without approval from a primary doctor?

When I had problems with my hands I was dx with neck problems, then dx w/no neck problems but instead ulnar issues at the elbow, then dx with no ulnar issues but tennis elbow, then dx with tennis elbow and golfer elbow, then carpal tunnel, and lastly dx with no tennis elbow or golfer, but ulnar problems at the elbow and mild carpal! It took five different doctors during this ordeal. Either I'm just unluckly or sometimes it takes a specialist in the area of your pain to truly help find out what is going on with you!

Cindy