Ulnar Nerve Entrapment - Annoying as hell

[scho63]

Sometime around 3-4 weeks ago I began having pins and needles in my left pinky by the end of the day.

As time passed it became longer and more numb. Then it progressed to half of my ring finger next to my pinky and the lower 3rd of my palm.

In the last 10 days it's just completely numb and painful at times. Having some burning in my palm and some forearm issues.

It's my ulnar nerve and it's become entrapped somewhere along the nerve route between my tricep down to my wrist.

Making daily life a pain in the ass with any typing, laptop work or much else.

On steroids for a gout flareup but so far no effect on the inflamed and/or entrapped nerve.

Had this happen to my right arm in 1989 when I fractured my elbow. This time it appears that I rolled my arm back and forth across my counter will working on my laptop and somehow got it pinched.

I just visited my regular doctor last Thursday for the gout as well along with blood work.

Refered me to specialist and have to wait 3 1/2 weeks to see him.

This ****ing sucks!

[Abba-Dabba]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Mine is in my back somewhere, I stopped all the testing after a while. Got tired of getting poked and prodded with no relief so I just gave up.

If yours is in your elbow, it might be a lot easier to figure out the cause and fix it.

I think that is where mine is entrapped as well. I will put off any surgery to my back for as long as I able to. Matter of a fact I spoke to my sports medicine dr. today about this very thing. I only have numbness and no pain there so I can't see any reason to get all up in my spine.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Underrated comment if the day

OP, stop drinking and I bet it starts getting better

In the last 4 months I have been drinking almost nothing.

[scho63]

I can't believe how many people have endured this bullshit.

All these repetitive motion jobs with laptops / cellphones are killing all of health!

[Jenson71]

Originally Posted by scho63

In the last 4 months I have been drinking almost nothing.

I'm no doctor, but I think you need to drink more than that.

[Chazno]

When I keep my elbows bent for too long I have the same issues. Middle finger-pinky all go numb. It happens when I sleep and especially when I play video games with a controller. I went and saw a doc about it and he did nerve flossing on me. If you aren't familiar, its stretching with you wrist,hand and arm all in particular placements. It was pretty painful. I never noticed any changed in the symptoms, so I just decided not keeping my elbows bent for long periods of time was an easier, less painful fix.

[Holladay]

I had the same thing. I had surgery on my ankle and they did my elbow at the same time. After 2 yrs, left pinky still a little numb. I had it start a "tad" in my right hand.

2 things:

I sleep on my back and I would have my arms folded over my chest. Straight arms keep the nerve from hyper-extending. So I have tried to change that.

Sitting at the desk: I have folded towels and or cushioned arm rests at every work space where I rest my elbows.

Bottom line: it takes time and don't hyper extend the nerve at the elbow. There are some stretching exercises that you can look up. They didn't help me, but I didn't do them much.

not keeping my elbows bent for long periods of time was an easier, less painful fix.

THIS

There is a reason why the nerve is "caught/stretched". If that and over time it will be fine.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chazno

When I keep my elbows bent for too long I have the same issues. Middle finger-pinky all go numb. It happens when I sleep and especially when I play video games with a controller. I went and saw a doc about it and he did nerve flossing on me. If you aren't familiar, its stretching with you wrist,hand and arm all in particular placements. It was pretty painful. I never noticed any changed in the symptoms, so I just decided not keeping my elbows bent for long periods of time was an easier, less painful fix.

Having numbness in the middle finger suggests it might be more than just the ulnar nerve. Usually, ulnar nerve issues affect the pinky and ring finger. Not saying that's not your issue but you might have more going on there.

[shakesthecat]

I've worked in IT for over 20 years and developed the exact symptoms about 4 years ago.

I tried just about everything. Nothing worked. I figured I'd have to live with it.

About 2 years ago I started getting pretty severe migraines. Every day. This was not something I was willing to live with, so I ended up seeing a neurologist. He prescribed me Gabapentin.

It not only cured the migraines, but it also cured the ulnar nerve issues.

Good luck

[notorious]

Originally Posted by scho63

In the last 4 months I have been drinking almost nothing.

Well, there's your problem.

[Kellerfox]

Finally getting put on Allopurinol has been a game changer for my Gout. Haven't had a single flare up in the year plus since going on the drug. My diet hasn't changed - still eat and drink all the shit I want. No experience with issues related to my Ulnar Nerve though.

[Chazno]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Having numbness in the middle finger suggests it might be more than just the ulnar nerve. Usually, ulnar nerve issues affect the pinky and ring finger. Not saying that's not your issue but you might have more going on there.

Apparently you are right. Its been a while since I had symptoms. I guess you could say my divorce was my cure. I now have a woman who doesn't mind if my hands are on her when we sleep and have a lot less time to play video games because we like to do things together.

[Holladay]

Having numbness in the middle finger suggests it might be more than just the ulnar nerve. Usually, ulnar nerve issues affect the pinky and ring finger.

True.

[Mr. Wizard]

Seriously, have you tried a tens unit? They are no longer expensive. I have neuropathy in both feet. Bought a tens unit from Amazon.
AUVON rechargeable. $33.00.
It works. I use it daily while watching tv. Have used it on other wounds too. Worth its weight in gold.

[scho63]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wizard

Seriously, have you tried a tens unit? They are no longer expensive. I have neuropathy in both feet. Bought a tens unit from Amazon.
AUVON rechargeable. $33.00.
It works. I use it daily while watching tv. Have used it on other wounds too. Worth its weight in gold.

Never bit I'll check into it. Thanks!

[scho63]

Been up since 1:35 AM with a raging gout attack in my right foot after I just finished 6 days of steroids yesterday morning that fixed it.

**** my life this last month.

I thought losing 40 pounds was good for your health.