- Jan 9, 2001
- 7,572
- 2
- 76
Background: in early February, the very tips of my thumb, index, and middle fingers on my left hand began to feel a little funny. Not numb/tingling, not painful. You know that feeling if you clip your nails too short and the skin of your nailbed feels irritated? It's exactly what that feels like. Exact location, too-just the skin right around where my nail meets the skin.
When it persisted a couple weeks, I freaked out about carpal tunnel syndrome (I'm a professional pianist, so it's a bit of a scary idea) and went to go see a GP. GP referred me to a hand specialist. Hand specialist did a bunch of "in the office" tests, moving and manipulating my wrist, holding different positions, etc. Since none of them produced any symptoms (no numbness or tingling, no loss of mobility, no pain, and no change in the "dry fingertip" feeling) he concluded it was not CTS. However, he noted my numerous lipoma tumors (I had had them for years in my left forearm) and referred me to a dermatologist to have them removed (GP had alluded that that would probably be the case), as well as to a physical therapist to work on "brachialis plexitis" as a possible cause.
So, the lipoma was removed over a month ago, stitches out, etc. I've been having weekly PT where they've been doing a lot with neck muscles and "flossing" my median nerve, etc. It's a little frustrating because she's always trying to create symptoms ("does this make your fingers go numb?" and the answer is always no unless she squeezes the fuck out of my wrist with both her hands).
I guess I'm frustrated because it's been over two months, not much has changed (maybe it's slightly better? but just as persistent). If it is a nerve issue, I know that can take months to heal so I just have to hang in there and be patient.
HOWEVER, I'm still wondering if it's actually more of an external, i.e. skin, issue, rather than a nerve issue. Here's why:
*no "actions" (playing piano, typing, holding anything) make the feelings more noticeable; i took a few weeks off of playing completely and felt no difference. Resumed playing and felt no difference.
*no "numbness or tingling", no loss of sensation, no loss of mobility, no pain
*does not get worse at night or when sleeping, just stays the same
*ice, ibuprofen, etc doesn't seem to have any effect.
*what DOES make it worse? Right after I clip my fingernails, it's much more noticeable. It's also exacerbated considerably when in the shower or pool.
*applying heavy-duty lotion generously to my fingertips (really trying to rub it up under the nail as much as possible) relieves symptoms completely for about 15-20 mins.
I mentioned these things to the PT, they kind of brush it off and go back to working on my nerves.
Any thoughts? I know its a long, boring post, and I appreciate your reading it. The symptoms are mild enough to be considered not much more than an annoyance; its only because of my profession that this continues to be a concern for me.
When it persisted a couple weeks, I freaked out about carpal tunnel syndrome (I'm a professional pianist, so it's a bit of a scary idea) and went to go see a GP. GP referred me to a hand specialist. Hand specialist did a bunch of "in the office" tests, moving and manipulating my wrist, holding different positions, etc. Since none of them produced any symptoms (no numbness or tingling, no loss of mobility, no pain, and no change in the "dry fingertip" feeling) he concluded it was not CTS. However, he noted my numerous lipoma tumors (I had had them for years in my left forearm) and referred me to a dermatologist to have them removed (GP had alluded that that would probably be the case), as well as to a physical therapist to work on "brachialis plexitis" as a possible cause.
So, the lipoma was removed over a month ago, stitches out, etc. I've been having weekly PT where they've been doing a lot with neck muscles and "flossing" my median nerve, etc. It's a little frustrating because she's always trying to create symptoms ("does this make your fingers go numb?" and the answer is always no unless she squeezes the fuck out of my wrist with both her hands).
I guess I'm frustrated because it's been over two months, not much has changed (maybe it's slightly better? but just as persistent). If it is a nerve issue, I know that can take months to heal so I just have to hang in there and be patient.
HOWEVER, I'm still wondering if it's actually more of an external, i.e. skin, issue, rather than a nerve issue. Here's why:
*no "actions" (playing piano, typing, holding anything) make the feelings more noticeable; i took a few weeks off of playing completely and felt no difference. Resumed playing and felt no difference.
*no "numbness or tingling", no loss of sensation, no loss of mobility, no pain
*does not get worse at night or when sleeping, just stays the same
*ice, ibuprofen, etc doesn't seem to have any effect.
*what DOES make it worse? Right after I clip my fingernails, it's much more noticeable. It's also exacerbated considerably when in the shower or pool.
*applying heavy-duty lotion generously to my fingertips (really trying to rub it up under the nail as much as possible) relieves symptoms completely for about 15-20 mins.
I mentioned these things to the PT, they kind of brush it off and go back to working on my nerves.
Any thoughts? I know its a long, boring post, and I appreciate your reading it. The symptoms are mild enough to be considered not much more than an annoyance; its only because of my profession that this continues to be a concern for me.
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