Numbness and tingling in fingers and toes I'm in doctor hell - Please help?

Question

Hi. I've been having tingling ,stiffness and numbness in my fingers and toes. It all started with my left pinkie being partially numb and progressed to both my left and right hands, especially the left pinkie, left and right index and thumb fingers.
My family doctor diagnosed carpal tunnel. Yet, I was referred to a neurologist for confirmation. The neurologist detected some minimal carpal nerve damage in my right hand and compression of the left ulnar nerve at the elbow. However, according to this doctor, the damage is not enough to cause significant symptoms. Uh?
Then, I went to the hand specialist, as per the neurologist. After an x-ray and exam, he sees nothing wrong and sends me back to my family doctor and physical therapy. I'm now set for a battery of tests... I'm really scared that something is really wrong with me especially because now I'm getting a similar sensation on my left foot.
has anyone shared a similar experience? What was the outcome? Any advice is appreciated.

Forgot to mention that I had an episode of severe neck pain and stiffness that comes on and off, yet never got checked. I always thought is just stress or poor positioning when I'm in front of the computer or desk at work...

To all of you who have responded:
You guys have no idea how much I appreciate all of your suggestions and comments. Thank you.

To Morningglory:
I am not sure if sitting creates the problem but it definitely aggravates it. I have not noticed any vision problems or problems walking.
I have not yet noticed any reactions on my fingers when cold.
I though about MS ... I will definitely bring it up next time I see the doctor. Thanks

Answer 1

Go get a second neurological opinion. You definitely has some nerve damage going on. Since it has started in you toes now, I would hate to suggest something spinal.

Get another opinion.

Answer 2

Sounds like Reynaud's Syndrome to me. I have been diagnosed with this and there's not much you can do. It's a narrowing of the blood vessels and it causes numbness in hands and feet (OK, fingers and toes.) It can be brought on by the cold, like walking through the frozen foods dept in the grocery store, being outside in the winter, having the air conditioning on so it's too cold. It's normally symetrical. This means that if your pinkie finger on your left and is affected, then the pinkie on the right will have a reaction as well. The same for feet.

For me it's my index, middlle and ring fingers that are affected. The index fingers usually start first with the rest following. They get cold, then they go numb. They go from normal flesh color to red to "candle white." When they get to white, they are numb enough that if I was to hit them with a hammer or stick a pin in them, I can't feel a thing. When they start to thaw, they feel hot to the touch and the fingers themselves feel like they're burning, then tingling.

I've had this for about 20 yrs. the Dr says it's because I probably had a mild case of frost-bite that wasn't and didn't need medical diagnosis. It's periodically uncomfortable but I've learned to adapt. Avoid the freezer section if I am not wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts. (Thats how sensitive I can be.) I also don't wear gloves in the winter, I wear fleece mittens EVERYWHERE. I don't hold onto cold glasses of water, soda or anything with ice. I try to avoid handling frozen foods (either microwave or thawing to actaully cook) if at all possible.

I'm not sure if what I have is what you're suffering with but it might be a suggestion you could make to your Dr. The only "cure" is surgery, similar to what they do for carpal tunnel but I am not goiong to have it done until I have constant pain from it.

Take care. Stay warm!

Answer 3

Hello-- I have a question or two. Mind answering?

1. Are your fingers or toes a bluish color when exposed to cold?
-If so, this could be Raynaud's Syndrome. It's not fatal or even serious, it just afflicts with those who work with their hands.

2. Do you notice that the tingling happens when you're sitting in a certain position or just plain sitting?
-This could just be simply a pinched nerve or lack of blood supply to a nerve.

3. Are you experiencing vision problems or trembling, or a strangeness in your limbs when you're walking?
-This could be a sign of MS or multiple sclerosis. If these symptoms are shockingly accurate, see your doctor immediately.

4. Do you have nausea, headache, or dizziness that accompanies your tingling?
-This could be environmental poisoning, which could possibly cause neurological damage. See your doctor if you're unsure.

Whatever you do, if the tingling is truly bothersome, don't be afraid to see your doctor.

Good luck, and I hope you find what you're looking for.

Answer 4

I need to ask you this: - What specialty of doctor did you visit? Pulmonologist or general practitioner? - What is your hope? Totally cured? Keep in mind that allergic people or asthmatic tend not to be cured but only controlled / managed. The best you can do is avoid the allergen. - Did a doctor diagnose you with migraine? Half side of head ache does not mean a migraine. Migraine symptoms are tend to moderate-severe; nausea, vomiting, photo-phono phobia, etc. For number 5, you need to see a neurologist, might be a nerve entrapment or something disturb the nerve at cervical area. Might also be an abnormal shape of bone, or stenosis. For number 6, how pale is the patch, like vitiligo? How spread is the distribution? (Actually for skin problem, best way might be post a picture with a good quality). Any symptoms like itching, pain when touched, etc? For number 7, same with number 6, best with picture. Is it a varicose? Do you have other systemic condition other than asthma? Like diabetes, hypertension, hypotension, etc. Editted: I don't know about chest specialist (none like that exist here that I know). I only know cardiologist who are good at heart problems and pulmonologist who are good at lung problems ENT as for ear, nose, and throat? If you have asthma, then you need a pulmonologist, not a ENT specialist. I don't know whether have you do the spirometry test since you went to ENT, not a pulmonologist. You did: X-ray: X-ray is good for checking bones. asthma won't show up in x-ray, best test would be spirometry. but an X-ray is needed as a standard test to rule out other diseases. So it's not wrong to do this. CT-scan: Ct-scan is basically a rotating X-ray. I would suggest best way to check your head-neck region with a MRI. but I also know the expensive price of MRI. Well, if the CT-scan was clear, no abnormal bone, your neck doesn't look straight (normally our neck should make a C-curve), then the doctor can rule out bone etiology. Blood test: Well, a high eosinophil means you have an allergic/allergic reaction / infection (infection perhaps not in your case). But not really able to tell what is the cause. For the skin problem, is there any kind of patern? line, circle, centrifugal, etc? Can you see clearly the border of the white patch? I am thinking of tinea versicolor/Pityriasis versicolor. It's a fungal infection. Try google/wiki and see if is it a match with your problem. Anyway, if you think your skin problem disturb you, you can always take it to a dermatologist. Still, I would think you need to re-visit your neurologist or simply visit other neurologist. The problem is either the bone abnormality or inflammation of the nerve at spinal region.

Answer 5

Are you athletic? My husband is (Mountain Biking, Running) and has similar problems in his hands and feet. His hands and feet also get cold easily even when its not cold out. This could be because your blood vessels are close to the surface of your body so, it causes them to be very sensitive. Which can cause a tingling sensation and your limbs to get cold easily. Our doctor also told him because he has such a low percentage of body fat it can play into his symptoms. With my husband there is nothing he can do. His symptoms come and go. Another possibility is your Back. Bulged disks, pinch nerve, or your back just being out can cause these symptoms. I have two bulged disks in my lower back and I know I need adjusted when I have problems with numbness in my hands and feet. It is amazing how much your entire body is affected by your back not being in alignment. So, you might want to get your back checked out but , make sure they do a full work up of x-rays, balance test, check how you walk to see if your hips are straight. Don't just let them adjust you without a full work up and go over your history. A good Chiropractor will do a lot of tests first before they ever touch you. Hope this helps

Answer 6

It could be MS(multiple sclerosis) as someone else mentioned, but if your doctor or neurologist didn't suspect that or say any thing, then its probably not. You should goto another neurologist in a different city(preferably a bigger one possibly out of state) for an MRI and another opinion.
But good luck i hope everything works out okay.

Answer 7

Have you been tested for syphillis? Neurosyphillis may also present this way with the numbness and tingling. I believe the doctor would have to do a specific test for it.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

if you have neck pain, it could be a simple case of a pinched nerve, or several pinched nerves. The tingling and numbness in your arms and fingers might be from a pinched nerve in your neck and the tingling in your leg and feet might be from a pinched sciatic nerve.

Answer 10

it sounds like it is computer related..did you tell your doctor that you are in front of your computer at work all day?

things to look into...

1. I would go to a chiropractor....they are wonderful and amazing..try a few visits..most insurance covers it..(and might be able to chalk it up to workers comp....talk to them about it)

2. look into an euro ball..it is a ball that is attached to your chair..so you sit on the ball and it corrects your posture...

good luck..feel better

I had problems with my ulnar nerve...after an injury..broken wrist...I feel for you....

contact OSHA regarding exercises you can do at your desk to prevent leg and carpal tunnel pain...