Puzzling Ulnar Nerve Test Results

Hi Sharna,

You sound as though your'e having a tough time too.  I have what they call neuropathic pain which encircles my back and thus makes wearing a bra impossible as the area is super sensitive to the lightest touch.  I have been to various specialists, had an MRI, ultrasound, and a whole body bone scan and apart from expected degeneration in certain areas nothing showed up that could truly identify the cause of the pain.  I have now been given morphine patches but haven't used them as I am now going to see a chiropractor on Thursday to see if that will help.  I really feel your frustration as before Christmas I was fit,happy and healthy, going to the gym and now everything's changed.  But I will not let it beat me I still work really hard in the garden and I am also keeping busy in the house (I had just retired when this happened) so most of my plans have been put on the back burner.  I do so hope that you get some sort of help, I've tried orthopedic massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture and some other alternative therapy where a lady flicked what looked like an egg whisk back and forth and I parted with a lot of money (still makes me laugh now)!  Hope I have been of some help xx

 

Hello,

Some of what you are discribing sounds similar to what I've been experiencing. I often get strong pins and needles in my hand(s) at night. During the day I often get quite strong pains, mainly in my little fingers and ring fingers. It started on my left hand a year ago but moved to my right. I also get a similar pain in big toes but no pins and needles. This may not be related but it did start at the same time.The pains in my fingers are quite strong. I haven't noticed any triggers such as leaning on my elbow. They can start without me doing anything ... watching TV ... driving ... etc. The pains seem to effect one area at a time. So the left hand or the right hand but not both at the same time.

My nerve conduction test were normal as well. I've had several other tests but nothing so far.

I'd be interested to see how you get on and I'll be happy to tell you more about what I've had checked.

Regards .. Jon

Hello,

This sounds like the beginning of the same road I started down 8 years ago. I was diagnosed with cubital tunnel (ulnar nerve entrapment) and all of my symptoms matched this diagnosis perfectly.  I will condense my ridiculous path of seeing 30 doctors in two different countries - it turned out to be Thoracic-Outlet-Syndrome, compression of the ulnar nerve in the chest cavity.

While it is a long-shot that you have the same thing, I thought it worth mentioning.

I had the same symptoms you mention, including negative nerve conduction study findings.  A very reputable surgeon even operated on my elbow because of my ulnar symptoms, ith no results. 

Personally, ALL of my test results over the years were negative, including MRI's and X-Rays, until I was given the tests for TOS.  They are simple tests you can try a few times at home, and see if they give you a slight rush of ulnar activity/numbness.

Like I said, this is a long-shot when you consider how many causes nerve pain can have, but worth ruling out before you have drastic measures like surgery.

I'd start with finding a good neurologist and orthopedist who are interested in working with you to find your source. You might find your answer right away, and it could be as simple as a cortisone shot   But if not - just know that nerve pain can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint, you just need patience, a lot of research on your own, and hopefully a doctor who is willing to ride it out with you. Many doctors might give you a test, then give you an "I'm sorry I can't help you" if it was a negative result. Don't get discouraged.

A great forum is NeuroTalk.

Good luck!

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Hi,

No problem. I hope my personal experience I'm writing here doesn't lead you down a wrong road, but here's how it's been for me....

Were you affected in the neck or chest at all, or was it mainly your arms? 

I have never had much problem at all in my upper body, nothing that I ever thought was related or even something I'd mention to a doctor. My posture could be better, but this never seemed like something to talk to a doctor about.  My pain is only in my fingers, sometimes palms, and when it's really bad my forearms can tingle.  It's only been after being treated for TOS that I can recognize trigger points and problems in my back and chest that I had no idea were there.

My route went -

Hand Specialists/Surgeons - Nerve Entrapment tests (tapping/bending/moving arm parts)

Neurologists - Nerve Conduction Studies, Reflex tests

Orthopaedist - Structure exams, MRIs of upper body

GP - Blood Tests, Thyroid test, Spinal Tap

Pain Clinic - Medications

Neurosurgeon - Reflex & Entrapemnts tests

Psychologists & Psychiatrists - as I was told many times it was Psychosomatic due to my negative nerve conduction studies

Treatments I've tried personally -

Sleeping Splints (this can help if it's cubital tunnel)

Cubital Tunnel surgery

Cortisone in wrist

Manual Therapy

Physical Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy

Strength Training

Accupuncture

Medications: Anti-epileptics, Novamin-sulfon, Tri-cyclic Antidepressants, Topical creams, Lidocaine Patches

Vitamin B Shots

Electrotensgerat (muscle relaxation)

Muscle Cupping

Kinesio Taping

Pilates

Low-Glycemic Anti-inflammatory Diet, eating Paleo

MBSR

PMR

Jon and Sharna - I'll PM you both some links that explain things better.  You probably have a major difference in where to look for your symptoms.  If they are only in your hands, then you need to look more at structural problems. If you are also having numbness in your toes, you might need to look at neurological and metabolic problems. 

 

Hi Jennifer ..

If my toe and hand problems are caused by the same thing  ... and I think it's likely as the pains are very similar ... then it seems to point at neurological ... No-one has suggested metabolic problems. That's interesting. Can you tell me more about this?

Also ... which treatments do you find work for you?

There is one thing that happened a few months ago that was very weird. Until then I'd had pains in boths hands, mainly little fingers and ring fingers and big toes. One day I was trying to repair a light fitting and I gave myself a 240v shock in my right hand. I didn't sustain any injuries from the shock and in fact from that moment the pains completely stopped in my right hand for the next couple of months. They have now returned. I told my doctor thinking this might be relevant to my diagnosis but he didn't have much to say about this. Unfortunately .... I'm not trying it again as it really hurt and of course you can do real damage to yourself. I've tried tens machines since then but they had no lasting effect.

Follow up:

I have since had a cervical spine MRI and chest x-ray. 

The MRI was performed to look for signs of C8 radiculopathy. Results were normal, and showed no spinal stenosis or focal nerve root compression.

The x-ray was performed to make sure there were no tumours (e.g. pancoast tumours) causing nerve compression. Results were normal in terms of neurology, though thoracolumbar rotatory scoliosis was incompletely visualised.

It appears my GP doesn't know what to do from here, so I have a referral to see a neurologist. 

What would the neurologist offer me that hasn't already been done? I seem to be at another dead end!

Hi..

I am really sorry that you have hit more dead ends.

I've decided to keep a diary on pain levels, diet, sleep patterns, excercise, etc to see if I can find any patterns. It's worth a try I suppose.

Hello, I too am having these same symptoms... I have had two spinal fusions and I have cervical spondylosis as well as bone spurs. However they insist it is not from my neck. I have ahd ALL of the tests including TOS. My PT said months ago he elt this was the cause. I apparently have the "Extra Rib" that is reffered to i TOS. But the neurologial testing showed normal.  This has been going on since 2013 and I think that since the therrapist has been working on my neck anyway... it has gotten bette in that respect. However the pain continues in my shoulder, arm, wrist, clavicle and traps. I wake up with tingling fingers EVEN if I sleep on the opposite shoulder! It stinks.