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As I correctly assumed several months ago, I have nerve damage to my right arm. My year-long struggle with my neck landed me in an MRI where the radioligist saw nothing too serious. A couple of areas were compressed in the neck, but no ruptures. There was a herniation at T2, and although it causes exquisite pain, it wouldn't be shooting down my arm like this, would it?
A few weeks ago is the first time that it was noticeable. My wife could even tell that my right latissimus had gotten smaller, and my right shoulder and arm had too. It freaked me out a little, I must say. Now I am REALLY freaked out. My grip is so weak that it is hard to twist the top of my bud light. I have a shooting pain that goes from low in the shoulder and shoots down my right tricep in to my elbow. On the forarm I have a severe little mound of tension that shoots all the way down to my wrist. Argh! I will give anytning to fix this. I will tak to take time off for however long it takes. May I will drive up to Indiana and get Bill to work on me for a while!
What did your lower cervical spine look like on MRI?
The lats are innervated by a nerve originating from C5-6. If you have some issues at those levels or some direct soft-tissue problems involving the thoracodorsal nerve, you can certainly end up with some lat atrophy.
T2 is intercostal. Shouldn't affect the arm. T1 however may cause some pain down the inside of your upper arm. Otherwise it's a cervical/soft-tissue issue.
A quick test for T1 syndromes...squeeze your shoulder blades together and bend your neck/head forward. This will tension T1.
I know your pain, JP. Really, I do. I'm dealing with a C5-6 disc herniation (it's caused occasional problems in the past). I get a 'pins and needles' sensation in my left thumb and forefinger extending up the back of my tricep (the herniated disc is probably compressing both the C6 and C7 nerve roots). What's worse is the weakness in the left arm. It was actually much worse about 3 months ago----I went from flat bench pressing 100 lb dumbbells for 6 reps to struggling to do the same with 70 lbs literally overnight. It's a disconcerting feeling.
Fortunately, the strength is recovering (probably about 90-95%) and my physiotherapist is very good, I think (he's also helped me with a bit of a knee problem).
It's very frustrating, but there's every reason to believe that you'll get through it [img]smile.gif[/img]
The radiologist wrote that there were no herniations in the cervical spine. A couple of small bulges, but other than that it appears that my problems would be muscular. My problem at T2 isn't even something docs recommend surgery for in general. So some rehab to build my rhomboids back up is what they will probably recommend. There is just NO WAY that this atrophy on my right shoulder, arm, forearm and the sharp shooting pain through my entire arm could be anything BUT a nerve problem. My doc wants me to come in for some kind of nerve response test that is a bit more in depth. In the meantime I am sinking into a depression about it. I am scared that I will never get this fixed, and that I will never get in great shape again. Particularly frustrating when your career is getting people in shape.
One of the things that I think really made this problem more severe is carrying kids. Especially as they got heavier and heavier. It makes my arm hurt just thinking about picking them up. I also can't completely flex my right arm without pain.
I can understand why people turn to "alternate" forms of medical treatment when they stay in this kind of pain for so long. Going to an accupuncturist is sure starting to look appealing since the mainstream docs can't seem to fix this. Too bad it is so expensive and insurance doesn't cover it. Or maybe it is a good thing. It would probably be cheaper to take a plane up to Indiana and spending time and money on Bill to do some ART and physical therapy. Bill, you kind of specialize on back problems, right?
ACH! I just want this problem gone so bad! Oh, and in the meantime, I feel like I have turned into a soft ball of goo. To make matters worse, I have to have a painful lump of mysterious origin removed from my left nipple (I know, too much info!), and I have to get my vastectomy next month. Looks like I am going be out of action for a while!
The radiologist wrote that there were no herniations in the cervical spine. A couple of small bulges, but other than that it appears that my problems would be muscular.
Take heart in that it could be worse. [img]smile.gif[/img]
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My doc wants me to come in for some kind of nerve response test that is a bit more in depth
Sounds like an EMG to test nerve conduction (not something I know much about, although I've had one before).
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I am scared that I will never get this fixed, and that I will never get in great shape again.
I know the feeling
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Particularly frustrating when your career is getting people in shape.
Your reputation is strong enough that people already have trust in you, whether or not you're injured
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I can understand why people turn to "alternate" forms of medical treatment when they stay in this kind of pain for so long. Going to an accupuncturist is sure starting to look appealing since the mainstream docs can't seem to fix this. Too bad it is so expensive and insurance doesn't cover it.
The first thing you need is an accurate diagnosis. But you're right---there are things that we're not good at fixing. Like with all alternative therapies, my attitude is 'caveat emptor'. You don't always know what you're going to get. Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't. There's no way to predict the outcome
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Or maybe it is a good thing. It would probably be cheaper to take a plane up to Indiana and spending time and money on Bill to do some ART and physical therapy.
My physio does a lot of manual therapy (incl. ART) and he seems to be helping me (perhaps it's just the natural course of the condition to improve over time, though).
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JP, paying for the sins of his youth.
Just imagine how it will feel when you make a comeback [img]smile.gif[/img]
I don't have any medical or training advice for ya, but I'd like to say I can sympathize. I suffered a disability/illness very early in my military career which eventually forced a separation.
Don't fall into despair or depression. Whatever your diagnosis ends up being, I don't doubt you will do what it takes to repair yourself. After that you won't have any problem getting in what may be your best shape ever.
IMO, alternative therapy is fine, but you will want to figure out exactly what is causing the pain. Don't be afraid to get a second, third or even fourth opinion. Sometimes I know I can't see the car key on the counter no matter how hard I look for it; why should even the best doctor be otherwise?
No matter what, the diagnosis and repair of your arm will be short when compared to the entire span of your life. You can make it through this- just do everything you can medically, and don't focus on it any more than that. Even though sometimes that's easier said than done.
Well, despite being injured all around, I made a pretty decent showing in our last adventure race. I ran over 15 miles on a stone bruise on my left heel, carrying a pack despite the neck and trap pain, and rowed 12 miles despite the neck and right arm pain, biked 35 miles despite the nagging pulled right hamstring and aching knee, all on 2 hours of sleep, and still managed to come in the top 10 (8th place) in a sanctioned race with over 50 teams. Right now I feel fine, but my neck and right arm are bothering me still. Bill, I think I just need to come meet with you in person. Can you fix me in a week? (all I could probably afford!)
While I do have a bit of confidence in my abilities, I can't offer any guarantees. I would like to help. How long have you rested things? It doesn't sound like much.
I'm emailing you my number (I think you already have it)...let's talk a bit first.
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