first post back and neck

[dewbo]

Hi to all, This is my first post.......Where do I start? Seems I've lived my life thus far 53+ years with some sort of pain......Most associated with my life style......Big sports guy, did the softball stuff when I was younger, Right out of college we even played tag football into our mid 20's. I've slowed considerably, mostly non contact stuff now.....Playing catch with my son, 15 years old. Golf, kayaking, power boating, fishing......I'm a pipefitter by day.....currently laid off. Slow time of the year.....OK, enough about me....lol. My turning to here is a last resort.....I started having a nagging pain between my shoulder blades just after being laid off from work......Its came and went for years......Now my left arm is going numb, and when its not numb, my meaty part of my palm and left two smaller fingers stay numb.......Not to mention, the pain at times is unbearable in the elbow and wrist!!!!!!! I had a MRI last week, and EMG two days after that.......see doctor next week, hopefully for an answer.......I cant sleep, only sitting up, and breathing at times is hard without pain.....even a hard step sends a shock up my spine.....Like an electrical shock!!!!! I'm a mess.......Never felt this bad my whole life.......I hope I make it through the weekend........Any thing you guys can think off to get me through till Tuesday would be appreciative........ Thanks to all for reading.....Best regards......

[dewbo]

Hi
  Thanks for your input and time.....Most kind. Since last post, I have seen my doc, and he sent me to a spine neurologist ......they definitely see issues. I don't have the report in front of me.....but, there is stuff going on near the base of my neck and mid back area......I'm thinking the stuff going on in my neck region.....is causing the pain in my upper back.....arms too. The neurologist has sent me to a pain management doctor, he has given me some meds for pain( I swear they don't work), my Motrin seems to work better.....also gave me a muscle relaxer too. I started physical therapy last week.....3 visits thus far.....and 3 more next week.....I really feel better when I leave the office....but, as the day goes on.....the pain starts building....I really feel he's working the problem area, and it's going to take more visits, to rid me of this pain. This is the first step to correct this....and I hope it helps and works.....I see the neurologist next month.....we will go over other options if it doesn't ......I'll keep posting back on my progress here....Best Regards, Dewbo

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems.  The numbness could be due to nerve compression. This is possible at various levels. It could be due to compression of the spinal nerves at the cervical spine level or, ulnar nerve at the elbow level or even at the wrist. Once a nerve is compressed, it can cause pain or numbness anywhere along its path.  Hypothyroidism, diabetes, tumors and infections of the ulnar and spinal nerves and rheumatism can all cause numbness of little and ring finger. Please consult a neurologist with your MRI and EMG reports. You will probably need extensive physiotherapy, and may need to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Aleve or Mobic. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.