United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have been having this weird numbness in both my hands. The right one is to be expected the doctors said last week because of the nerve being moved and tendon repair but yesterday my left hand started having the same numbness and its just the hand not the whole arm. It bothered me all day and now this morning I woke up and I still have the same feeling. I can't go see the surgeon that operated on my right for the left since he is a workers comp doctors and only see's me for that injury. I wish I knew what it was my husband is afraid its a stroke but I told him that doesn't take two days. What could this be?? Mare

Go get checked anyway!!! So many people die from stroke because it couldnt be. Or they become severly handicapped. If there is any thought that it could be stroke go get checked out!!! I hope its nothing serious but I have no idea so I want to wish you my best!
Hugs,
Amy

I'm really starting to get scared I went to my PCP and he said he had no idea why my hands were going numb but not to worry its not a stroke said I should go to the hand surgeon that operated on my right hand. That doctor said the right one is numb because I had surgery 10 weeks ago and that the left on is numb because it needs the same surgery that the right had (nerve transfer and tendon lengthening) I'm not buying it the one that had the surgery on wasn't numb for the 1st 7 weeks why now and the left one hasn't been injured I'm out of work since the surgery and it didn't bother me before like this. I wish I knew where to go for answers maybe a chiropractor? This feeling of both arms being asleep is making me nuts.

You might try the chiro if you are comfortable with that. subluxations in your sspine causes the nerves to have much less space than they are used to. Wich could be irratating them. Not sure why its just your hands though, that has me lost. Maybe try the chiro and see what they say, is that doesnt help seek out a different hand surgeon (one that is not a work comp dr.)

Good luck Mare! I hope you find the answer very soon!
Hugs,
Amy

Mare,

I sure hope you can get that looked at and get to the bottom of it. I just posted previous to this and was wondering the same thing. If I am lobpi, how on earth would I ever know the symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke. They always say your left arm will tell you the signs.

I'm dealing with some major issues right now and the anxiety is overwhelming. How on earth would I ever know? Anyways...Take care of yourself.
*HUGS*
Rachel

What exactly was the surgery you had for your right hand?Was this nerve tranfer and tendon lengthening closer to your neck or was it a procedure down at your right hand? Is your whole left hand numb or is it just certain parts? Stroke victims will usually see one whole side of their body affected, not just one small part like your hand. My clinical experience tells me if you are just experiencing hand numbness most often the problem lies down near that hand(if that makes sense) but not always. If you can I would call or email your doc who did your right hand and get his opinion if you cannot go see him personally.
Good Luck
Becky

My PCP said I would also have jaw pain, headache and chest pressure if it was a stroke. He has no clue what's wrong. The surgery was at the elbow to move the ulnar nerve it was compressed (but no numbness)and the tendons had to be lengthened to tuck the nerve under it. That was 10 weeks ago the numbness started about 3 weeks ago and its in both hands. The whole hand on both sides feel like they have fallen asleep. The surgeon said that was to be expected on the right side due to surgery but has no idea why the left is like that. He said it maybe from over use. I'm not buying that since I haven't been doing much at all I'm on workers comp and not working or doing much of anything these past weeks and the feeling is the same in both hands and never goes away. The OT just looks at me and says (that's interesting) and I think no its not its scarey. So I'm going to make an appointment with a chiropractor this week and see what they say.

That is a stumper. I'm an OT and from what I know as long as there is no injury to the brain then numbess, tingling, or pain just in your hand should be caused by compression of the nerves at the wrist. Its possible that your hand issues could be caused by a lower trunk injury of your brachial plexus up at the spine but you would most likely have symptoms down your whole arm. Definitely look into other opinions.
Becky

Thanks Becky I appreciate any input I figured I would ask my sons therapist tomorrow what she thinks, he's the one with the bpi but lately I feel I'm next. I haven't injured any part of my body except the compressed nerve in the right elbow which was from over use I design plantscapes in malls and maintain them so there is a lot of lifting and carrying. I have been having a stiff neck lately but I just figure I was sleeping wrong or my mattress was going bad I haven't lifted anything since Nov when I had the surgery and this just started. Thanks Again Mare

Mare,
I am praying that you get answers and relief soon.

Hello to Frankie.

((((HUGG)))) too,
Carolyn J