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My fingers in my left arm start tingling slightly 3 weeks ...
Sent to Health Experts October 12 02:35 PM

My fingers in my left arm start tingling slightly 3.5 weeks ago, and every day it creeps up my arm more and more. It has now reached above my elbow towards my shoulder, and feels like it's mildly asleep and slightly weak (not too bad). However, I can function perfectly and grab, hold things just fine. I sit at my desk and type pretty much all work-day but have never experienced this before; EVER. It is ONLY in my left arm but now it feels a bit like when the cuff is first put on the arm just before pumping it up for blood pressure test. I have a doc appt in 7 days but was wondering what the heck is going on, and what to tell her?

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on October 12 2006 at 2:50 PM

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 44

Already Tried:
Massaging my own arm a bit, stretching, shaking arm. Not much, really.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9.95
Answer
October 12 7:57 PM (5 hours and 21 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Dear Eleanor,

Your symptoms resemble Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which is caused by a pinched nerve and inflammation due to some type of repetitive motion of the wrists, hands or fingers. Many people who used keyboards to type frequently often have a problem with CTS. Symptoms are numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in the fingers and hand, that can sometime extend up to the elbow or even as high as the shoulder.

I suggest you talk with your doctor about your symptoms. There are surgical treatments for CTS. Steroid injections are also available for temporary relief. In the meantime, using a splint on the wrist can help eliminate the repetitive motion. Anti-inflammatories can help if you are experiencing discomfort.



Edited by AnnlynnRN on October 12 2006 at 7:58 PM

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