Having an EMG

**KBear** · 09-26-2009, 04:04 PM

I am having an EMG later this month to determine if it is my carpal tunnel progressing causing all my wrists problems. My wrists and forearms have been giving me alot more trouble than usual. I am getting the deep bone pain and alot more numbness in my hands and fingers. I wear the carpal tunnel braces at night and during the day when it is real bad. My right thumb has been numb for almost 4 years. With Lyrica, the sensation is restored and I usually don't have issues from it. However, lately, that has not been the case.

I told my pain management doctor about my wrists and the pain. He did a physical exam, testing stregnth and sensation. Weirdly, the sensation on the left hand was not the same. He ordered an EMG and hand physical therapy. I go to the therapy on Monday. The EMG is in a week or two.

I had a cervical MRI last December and Dr. Zigler said it looked great. I never saw the report from it and am going to order it, just to make sure that there was absolutely nothing on it. I have zero neck or upper back pain, my upper arm also does not bother me.

I am almost positive it is carpal tunnel. If it is bad, I think I am going to push to have the surgery and get it over with. Since I have already met all my out of pocket costs this year, it would be paid 100%. Also, the pain has been getting worse, so I don't see it improving anytime soon. A couple of weeks ago it was so bad, I would have went in same day and done it, just to make it stop.

**New-disc** · 09-26-2009, 08:31 PM

Hello,

Sounds like a lot of testing comming up.

My bad disc in my neck started with right hand/arm problems only, neck pain started 2-3 years later.

Please keep us posted... and best of luck with your tests.

Todd

**Cindylou** · 09-26-2009, 10:06 PM

Kathy, thanks for the update. It does sound like you have some testing coming up. Do you know what brought on the carpal tunnel? Was it from your auto accident?

(How are you doing on your new pain med, btw?)

I do hope you are enjoying a nice weekend in Austin, with your sister.

**Justin** · 09-27-2009, 02:32 PM

Hey Kathy,

Good luck with the EMG later this month.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

**daveinaustin** · 09-28-2009, 04:41 AM

Kathy,

Best of luck with the EMG!

By the way, have you tried deep massage on your arms?

-Dave

**dalhousie** · 09-28-2009, 12:37 PM

Hope you get this sorted Kathy. It's hard enough coping with what you have to deal with post ADR nevermind added issues.

Good luck!

**KBear** · 09-28-2009, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Cindylou

Kathy, thanks for the update. It does sound like you have some testing coming up. Do you know what brought on the carpal tunnel? Was it from your auto accident?

(How are you doing on your new pain med, btw?)

I do hope you are enjoying a nice weekend in Austin, with your sister.

The numb thumb and deep forearm pain started within hours of having my second daughter, which was 2 weeks before the wreck. The doctors speculate that the IV could have hit something; but that should have been better by now. They have also said that when I was in the wreck, that my wrists might have hyper extended while I was holding onto the steering wheel. Don't really know.

My pain meds are working great! I am only having to take 1 or 2 vicodin a day, I feel normal!

**Dave** · 09-28-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

My pain meds are working great! I am only having to take 1 or 2 vicodin a day, I feel normal!

Kathy, that's great news. I hope this continues for you.

Originally Posted by KBear

They have also said that when I was in the wreck, that my wrists might have hyper extended while I was holding onto the steering wheel. Don't really know.!

This is very possible. My father had Carpal surgery after a bad wreck with a train. It was for hyperextension caused from cranking on the steering wheel.

**KBear** · 09-29-2009, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Dave

This is very possible. My father had Carpal surgery after a bad wreck with a train. It was for hyperextension caused from cranking on the steering wheel.

It does make sense.... I drive with both hands on the steering wheel, when I saw I was about to be hit, I naturally tensed up and gripped the wheel and upon impact, my wrists could have easily have hyper extended as my body was being thrown around.