Maybe not neuropathy causing hand and arm weakness and numbness

Posted by joanland @joanland, Sep 16 8:56pm

An upper extremity EMG today revealed that the loss of strength and flexibility in hands and lower arms plus loss of some feeling in hands may not be due to PN. Suspected is a possible compression of a cervical nerve. MRI to follow. This has been a surprise; with definite PN in feet and lower legs, I attributed the change in sensations in my upper extremities to PN as well. Tests today showed that may not be the cause.

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It’s difficult to pinpoint causation with this apparently. I’m searching for mine. My EMG was negative. I want a spine MRI. Who ordered yours?

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

It’s difficult to pinpoint causation with this apparently. I’m searching for mine. My EMG was negative. I want a spine MRI. Who ordered yours?

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The neurologist who did the upper extremity EMG ordered the MRI.

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

The neurologist who did the upper extremity EMG ordered the MRI.

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Ok. Mine didn’t. My second neurologist didn’t either and he’s moved away.

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Profile picture for celia16 @celia16

Ok. Mine didn’t. My second neurologist didn’t either and he’s moved away.

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The neurologist also mentioned that it might be CIDP, which is a much more concerning diagnosis. Chronic Inflammatory Denervation Polyneuropathy is a slow progressive condition which is totally new to me. I have heard of CIDP before but didn't even know what the initials stood for. I have not had a lumbar puncture and that procedure hasn't been mentioned by the neurologist - not yet. Normally CIDP it shows up in 6th or 7th decade of life, I'm in my 8th. So we'll procede one step at a time. First the MRI to rule out a cervical pinched nerve.

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

The neurologist also mentioned that it might be CIDP, which is a much more concerning diagnosis. Chronic Inflammatory Denervation Polyneuropathy is a slow progressive condition which is totally new to me. I have heard of CIDP before but didn't even know what the initials stood for. I have not had a lumbar puncture and that procedure hasn't been mentioned by the neurologist - not yet. Normally CIDP it shows up in 6th or 7th decade of life, I'm in my 8th. So we'll procede one step at a time. First the MRI to rule out a cervical pinched nerve.

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There are quite a few discussions on CIDP if you want to see what others have shared - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=CIDP.

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Thanks much, John. I'm now following the Autoimmune section as well as Neuropathy. Great suggestion!

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Dear @joanland

I fell down 3-4 years ado in my garage. Thankfully my doctor that fixed & helped my pain, but…. My right leg is soft, little less feel, fall down, and on… that’s a year.. it’s a little one year and my brain user is better.. using my brain-injury helps to do things again. So I don’t fall down as much, daily. So, not my brain-injury that started 12 years ago, but trying to fix my right-leg to get back 3-4 years ago by falling down my garage.

I spend more time a week to lift and bending my leg..
Thx,
Greg D. @greg1956

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Check out post that talks about taking tart Cherry juice and magnesium it works!

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I have what I assumed was PN in my hands as I have it in my feet and lower legs. I also have cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, which causes so much pain in my arms and shoulders. I just recently started with tremors in my hands and an inability to hold onto utensils. I mentioned this to my doctor's Nurse Practitioner but she just put it off to an irritated nerve. I would like to see a neurologist but at my age (78) they probably would say don't bother.

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Your age shouldn’t matter! I sought answers after been diagnosed with Idiopathic Neuropathy. I met some amazing specialists along the way. Turns out I have Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma and Cryoglobulinemia Type1. I’m halfway through chemo and my left hand is no longer numb, right is almost clear, toes and feet changing. Keep looking for answers.

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