Carpal tunnel? Pinched nerve? What next?

September 1, 2018 8:33 AM

When I woke up Thursday morning, some fingers on one hand were numb and/or tingly. I think it has gotten better but it’s Saturday and they’re still tingly. Now what?

It’s possible that I was messing around with my phone in bed before I went to sleep Wednesday night. When I woke up, my left shoulder and arm hurt, plus my pointer and middle finger on my left (non-dominant) hand were numb/tingly (thumb too but less so).

It’s been two days and it’s gotten better but those two fingers are still tingly. I’ve had a hard time sleeping the last two night, waking up to try to adjust so my arm didn’t hurt. I don’t think my strength has been compromised in that hand/arm but it doesn’t feel 100%. I’ve been trying to use it less.

I’ve had minimal run-ins with carpal tunnel syndrome before (no official diagnosis though) but I haven’t had anything like this go on for days. Should I call my GP on Tuesday morning if this persists? Should I call him even if it doesn’t persist? What can I do in the mean time?

Thanks!

posted by kat518 to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

hey, I just did something like this a few weeks ago. i ended up going to a walkin urgent care clinic where they said it was just a pinched nerve (I think?) and gave me a weeklong prednisone pack that cleared it up.

I think mine was related to switching the chair I use at the computer at home. I've since purchased an adjustable height chair for that desk.
posted by noloveforned at 8:43 AM on September 1, 2018

Yes, talk to your GP. Give your phone a rest a few days. Take some Ibuprofen, it may help. If you can give your hand a rest (not a lot of typing, mousing, etc.) for a few days, do that.

I have RSI, have had for 20+ years. There are exercises you can do to improve your forearm strength that will help reduce problems with RSI, and I'm sure much has improved in our understanding of RSI since I saw a doctor for it in the early 90s. Typing, using my phone, using a mouse, all that exacerbates my RSI.

If you work on the computer, I strongly recommend an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. And spend less time using the phone - Whenever I spend a lot of time fiddling with my phone, I wind up making my condition worse.
posted by jzb at 8:46 AM on September 1, 2018

Mrs Freedomboy had similar numbness and it was a blockage in a vessel, ultrasound revealed it. So a little research might be wise. Be well.
posted by Freedomboy at 8:58 AM on September 1, 2018

After I had awakened a few times with partially numb hands, my P.C physician said that sleeping with my arms bent at the elbows was the culprit. Apparently, I am now too old to bend my elbows as much as I may like. He said the bending cut off circulation to a nerve or nerves. I had to train myself to sleep with straight arms and when I do, there is no numbness. Even holding a phone or a book can cause the problem. I bought a sort of soft splint thing to wear, and was told that even wrapping my arm in a towel (anything to keep it straight) would work. I no longer need these aids and mostly keep my arms from bending in my sleep but when they do bend, numbness results and sometimes it does last for days, which is worrisome but apparently not a serious problem.
posted by Hobgoblin at 10:42 AM on September 1, 2018

Don't fool around with random pain/numbness in the left arm - definitely get it checked out. While it could be something as simple as sleeping position, dehydration, or a pinched nerve it could also relate to circulation and be significantly more dangerous.
posted by NoDef at 10:54 AM on September 1, 2018

You've been having days' worth of unexplained nerve issues. It's doctor time. A walk-in urgent care clinic would be a good choice.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 1:49 PM on September 1, 2018

I'm an emergency physician/toxicologist.

You need to see a neurologist ASAP

Google "out patient neurology clinic (enter name of closest big city)" right now.
posted by BadgerDoctor at 6:52 PM on September 1, 2018

Numb fingers were my major symptom for carpal tunnel. By the time the surgery came around, I had four completely numb fingers and a half-numb thumb on that hand. I had some lingering numbness and tingling in my pinky for a few months after the surgery but it's completely gone now. Definitely see your GP, and ask to be referred to a hand specialist if there's one in your area.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:32 AM on September 2, 2018 [1 favorite]

Wow, quite the range of responses you've gotten.

I had a similar experience some years back. I don't remember the details precisely anymore, but the short version is that I (apparently) slept on my arm wrong, woke up with a combination of discomfort/tingling/numbness which mostly dissipated but the numbness lasted for a surprisingly long time in my thumb. After several days I mentioned it to my doctor and she was unconcerned, said it was most likely a pinched nerve and should resolve itself within another week or so. And it did. I've only had one recurrence and that was almost certainly due to a combination of using crutches for several weeks and spending waaaaay too much time playing about on my phone.

I'm not sure what country you're in or how difficult/expensive it is for you to see your GP. I'm in Canada where I don't have to pay to see my GP and if necessary I can go to her (non-emergency) evening clinic without needing to book an appointment, so my default attitude is yeah of course go talk to your doctor and get a professional opinion.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 9:28 AM on September 2, 2018

Response by poster: Thanks, folks. I tried a video appointment with a doctor through my insurance and she said it was probably carpal tunnel and prescribed an anti-inflammatory. Hopefully that will be the end of it. Thanks again!
posted by kat518 at 11:42 AM on September 2, 2018 [1 favorite]