Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Right arm update - 11/1/11

Last week was interesting. I got a call from my PCP's office that I was scheduled to see a neurologist for possible nerve damage in my right arm/shoulder. That appt is later this morning. Not sure what, if any, kind of testing will be done on my arm/shoulder area, so I am a little nervous about my appt.

Based on my PT eval the week before, I wasn't sure what was going to happen at my PT appts. I am happy to report that my PT has been a lot more pleasant in every session since the first one, and my right arm and shoulder pain seems to be improving. Whether or not they like it my Acup, Chiro, and PT are working together since I tell each of them what seems to be working in my other appts and any other pertinent info one of them may say about whatever they see is problematic with my rotator cuff muscles. My PT said I have issues with my T4 and C4 and 5. I have no idea what that means, but I try to ask about everything he is doing, what muscles he is working on, so I can get more familiar with the anatomy of my arm/shoulder. I have not been given a lot of exercises like I was for my knees. In fact I was just given my second PT exercise to do on my own, at home at my appt yesterday. Interesting.

I was having problems relaxing my right side. My PT said that was because I had prolonged pain in those muscles, so I don't really have a lot of control over them. That got me thinking that maybe that tugging feeling I am still getting along my scar is from those muscles. He said it could be possible, but was not definitive about it.

I was really bummed that I had to tell my climbing partners that I had to hold off on climbing for another couple of weeks. At least I can run, so I am trying to do that at least twice a week. I'm starting all over again, doing the jog/walk thing, trying to go a whole mile without stopping. Trying not to over do it. So far, my knees are doing fine.

So, I have this neurology appt....just hoping for the best. Everyone seems to have their own opinion as to whether or not nerve damage is an issue or not. I really hope it is not what is going on in my arm/shoulder. But I have to wonder because I seem to have "cell-phone-itis", that is I get that numb pain in my right elbow whenever I spend a lot of time on my cell phone checking emails, texting, checking Google+, etc. A couple of years ago I switched my mouse at work from my right hand to the left because my right arm was getting numb from using the mouse. Not really carpal tunnel, I don't think, but that numb feeling I was getting in my wrist feels the same as the dull/numb pain in my elbow....could that all be contributing to my right arm/shoulder pain, then refereing to my scar giving me that tugging feeling in that area?!? I wonder....

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