Pain in left arm and burning on torso
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello, my husband had surgery a few weeks ago for colon cancer. Right after the surgery he started having an ache in his left arm, it was off and on at first. It started to progress and he developed a numb patch in middle of arm. When he extends it it causes a lot of pain. He now has numbness in his thumb along with finger and wrist weakness. He then started getting burning patches on his torso, it seems when his skin is stretched, but its excruiating and lasts for about 15 seconds and now some of those areas are numb to touch. He has gone to the neurologist and they seem to not have any idea what it is, he has done emg, brain and c-spine MRI all good. Does anyone have any idea or has anyone experienced this? Seems to get a second opinion other neurologists are months out. We are so scared. Thanks
0 likes, 6 replies
marc86412 michelle64951
Posted
research, research and research. These dr.s are not going to go out of their way to find something that doesn't make sense to them or they seem its not life threatening. Sorry to say this. I've found more things out researching things myself than what Dr.s tell me. If I see something then i mention it to them. That gets their attention and when you know all of your health. Second, and 3rd opinion, Get your answer and keep bugging them. keep it noted every time you visit. Take notes, make them explain. He’s important too. Don’t worry about how much time you need with the Dr.
michelle64951 marc86412
Posted
Thanks, that's pretty much where we are at, going to the doctors with no answers as of yet. It is getting so frustrating, seems a lot of the stuff he gets is always a mystery.
marc86412 michelle64951
Posted
i fell 17 feet off a roof and shattered my neck and dislocated both shoulders, seperated my elbow and punctured my wrist. dome dr.s say everything looks good neuro whys. but I have burning a lot of places and multiple things still going on. You just need to find the right dr.
I hope all goes well.
pippa58442 michelle64951
Posted
Sounds like a nerve may have been disturbed. I ended up with excruciating pain in my arm immediately after a blood test. It was constant and daily for two months and then it moved to come and go pain with almost constant tingling or numbness. The only thing that helps is hot weather. Doctors have no viable solutions for me other than low dose antidepressants which I don't want to take.
elizabeth20203 michelle64951
Posted
Hi Michelle,
I have had several surgeries over the years on my knees including knee replacements. Since my last two surgeries i have had Neuropathic pain. This includes burning similar to sunburn, tingling and pins and needles sensation. I even find clothes touching my legs is uncomfortable. I wear trousers because of my scars so you can imagine the irritation.
It does appear to sound like Neuropathic pain, it can feel different from one person to another and numbness is another symptom. What happens is surgery upsets the nerves and unfortunately there is no cure. I am not an expert, only going by my own experience.
Your husband needs to talk to the Consultant that operated, it may settle down after time. Usually for this type of pain they prescribe Gaberpentin or Pregabilin. I currently take Pregabilin. I manage on just one a night because it tends to be worse at night and helps me sleep. I don't like taking anything but it takes the edge off.
I hope he can find answers, or it settles down, if not to try medications for this type of pain.
Elizabeth.
michelle64951
Posted
Thank you Elizabeth, what you describe sounds like what he is experiencing and the burning sensations are on his torso. When he went in for his last surgery a month ago they made 6 small incisions on his torso, but these burning spots aren't in the same place as those but near by. He has been taking gabapentin but it doesn't seem to help really, plus he doesn't like taking it because it makes him dizzy. We are just worried that his left arm, wrist and finger weakness wont come back, he needs it to to be able to work.