AboutLauri Ordway Expertise I can answer your questions related to peripheral vacular disorders. This includes all arteries and veins except those inside the head and inside the heart. IE: neck (carotid), arms (carotid subclavian bypases to Thoracic Outlet) belly (aortic aneurysm & occlusive disorders, renal artery stenosis), legs (iliac, femoral, popliteal, peroneal, dorasalis pedis, posterior and anterior tibial) arteries. Aneurysm & occlusive disease, atherosclerosis, leg pain, arterial wounds and gangrene, amputation prevention. Vein disorders: Blood Clots (DVT), post-phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers. I can help with vascular wound treatments. Also, Raynauds, Buerger`s disease, Thoracic Outlet and other miscellaneous vascular disorders.
I CANNOT answer questions about your heart disease, blood pressure, brain aneurysm, although I can help with questions about the arteries that go to and from those organs.
Experience I am a nurse, I have worked for 14 years with two terrific peripheral vascular surgeons, one of them is also the inventor of very innovative wound care products and surgical instruments to make vascular surgery procedures better and faster. I wrote and manage our clinic website and field questions from patients all over the world.
Expert: Lauri Ordway Date: 3/25/2004 Subject: arm numbness
Question Hello. I am a 47 year old white woman who was diagnosed in August 2003 with idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Prior to this illness, I was in excellent health. I was hospitalized for 4 weeks in ICU. My spleen was removed, numerous blood transfusions, prednisone therapy and ultimately am only on cytoxan to maintain immune system suppression. Of late, I was diagnosed with an 1st degree AV block with inappropriate atrial tachycardia. Beta blockers were considered however, my resting pulse is in the mid 50's so the cardiologist didn't want to slow me down any more.
For the past month, I have awakened with one or both of my arms asleep. Repositioning my arms does not seem to have any affect on the numbness. The numbness lasts sometimes for 20-25 minutes. Do you have any ideas what might be causing the numbness and if so, what should I do?
I am trying not to be paranoid but once one's body has betrayed them, the fear that something else is wrong is difficult to overcome.
Answer this really is outside my area of expertise, and the only thing that crosses my mind is
thoracic outlet syndrome, although yours are not classic symptoms, it is a commonly overlooked diagnosis whch does involve numbness, tingoling in arms, there are specific tests you can actually do at home to see if
this might be the culprit
It is important to understand that presenting with the symptoms listed below in no way indicates a definitive diagnosis for thoracic outlet syndrome.
Professionals understand the importance of coupling diagnostic testing skills with the patient's report of what hurts and what doesn't seem to be working properly.
Don't self diagnose! Neurologic and vascular symptoms can be indicative of more serious conditions.
Vascular symptoms include:
Swelling or puffiness in the arm or hand
Bluish discoloration of the hand
Feeling of heaviness in the arm or hand
Pulsating lump above the clavicle
Deep, boring toothache-like pain in the neck and shoulder region which seems to increase at night
Easily fatigued arms and hands
Superficial vein distention in the hand
Neurologic symptoms include:
Parasthesia along the inside forearm and the palm (C8, T1 dermatome)
Muscle weakness and atrophy of the gripping muscles (long finger flexors) and small muscles of the hand (thenar and intrinsics)
Difficulty with fine motor tasks of the hand
Cramps of the muscles on the inner forearm (long finger)
Pain in the arm and hand
Tingling and numbness in the neck, shoulder region, arm and hand
Cramps of the muscles on the inner forearm (long finger flexors)
Pain in the arm and hand
Tingling and numbness in the neck, shoulder region, arm and hand
