little-ginge

For the past 4 months or so I have been experiencing a very intense, and often extremely painful,pins & needles type sensation in my left armpit, running down my upper under arm to just above my elbow.

Having mentionted this to my GP, she seemed to feel it was all part and parcel of another medical condition I have... but when mentioning it to my consultant today, he made me do loads of 'tests' involving movement of my arm/hand, and my ability to grip paper between my fore and middle fingers.

He also tried to clonk me in 3 reflex points on my arm - and only 1 of them worked .. he said i would need an x-ray (there was me thinking it would be weeks before this was arranged) ...and he got me an appointment for Tuesday morning.

He seems to think it could be Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - where a certain vein/artery is being severly compressed.

Having read up on this ( via google etc, so i know to take it with a large pinch of salt) it can be dealt with by physical therapy or at worst, 'decompression' surgery

I've never heard of this condition before, and thought I would ask you knowledgeable lot for any experiences etc of it.

ScoobyWon't

Never heard of it. Hope that helps

Would you like me to tell you about any other experiences I've had?

little-ginge

Not it doesn't, and no I don't

ScoobyWon't

You just can't help some people

little-ginge

I know All those pyschotherapists and straight jacket nutjob handlers were wasted on you

ScoobyWon't

That must explain the fixation with handcuffs

Oh, hang on...

little-ginge

I ask for help/advice and all I get is a fruit-loop

you'll feel sorry if i wake up to find my arm is withered away or even worse, lying on the floor

ScoobyWon't

You can rely on me to use laughter as a form of medicine

Were you after sensible advice?

drjsd

Artery or vein compression, occasionally nerve compression, sometimes more "in the head". Could also be cervical nerve root compression from what you say.

Shouldn't be serious and most fixes needing surgery are reasonably minor in the scheme of things.

Probably the best "medical" description eMedicine.com thoracic outlet syndrome - use it lots at work.

Hope this helps.

little-ginge

A sensible reply,, see SW, there are sensible peeps about

Thanks drjsd... am off to have a read now

warrenm2

nope, never heard of it

vindaloo

What's that Chinese stuff.... Feng shui? That's what you need.... :P

Or maybe it's this.... Tai chi chuan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers,

J.

Norman D. Landing

I have the same, accompanied by the same on the top of my left forearm down to my hand, a numb feeling in my left thumb, forefinger and middle finger, worse in the mornings and painful when I cough or sneeze.

Doc told me it was a trapped nerve between the 5th and 6th vertebrae but will need an MRI scan to confirm. Going for referral tomorrow.

I know exactly when it happened too! New years day this year, snapped my head around too fast and got that 'cramp' type feeling in the muscle on top of my shoulder, been like that ever since. Apparantly the possible treatments when confirmed are physio, osteo or surgery!

Leslie

I have got a damaged nerve in my left leg which gives similar symptoms occasionally. Feels strange when I touch that bit of my leg too.

Sorry you have the problem and hope they can sort it for you.

Les