#1 ·
Around late October or early November, I started feeling numbness in my left arm. The first time it lasted a few hours. A couple of days later, my left arm went numb again, though it was much more intense and lasted longer this time. I could still move my arm and everything felt normal physically, but there was this constant tingling or burning sensation. I called my primary care physician, and she suggested it might just be my cervical spine. She told me to try some exercises, take some Advil, and check back in a week.
I went in for blood work the next day (CBC, TSH, CRP, sedimentation, urinalysis, metabolic panel, TSH). Everything was within the normal range except for my MPV (12.2, whereas the limit is 10.4), and my monocytes were at 11.4% (normal is up to 12%). During that week, the general tingling subsided, but I began experiencing nerve and muscle pain. The pain started spreading into my back, shoulders, neck, and head (mostly the forehead and the back of the head). I called my doctor again, but she wanted me to continue the Advil and exercises for another week.
I decided to go ahead and schedule a full physical on my own (breast ultrasound, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, lymph node ultrasound, EKG, CBC, urinalysis, PAP smear). Results showed BI-RADS 2 for the breasts, erythroplakia on the cervix measuring 1.5cm, elevated monocytes at 12.6% (limit 12%), slightly high MCHC at 349 (limit 345), and an MPV of 12.3. My PAP smear showed reactive changes in the cells related to inflammation. The doctor who performed the exam noted that everything looked fine overall.
I saw a neurologist, who suspected cervical brachial syndrome. He ordered an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine, an SSEP of the median nerve, an EMG, and an EEG.
In early December, I had the MRI done. For the cervical spine, there were abnormalities—osteophytes, and a disc protrusion at the C5-C6 segment (1.3mm) paramedian to the right, which reduces the anterior epidural space, along with minor degenerative changes. For the thoracic spine, the findings included straightened thoracic kyphosis, and at the level of the Th8, 9, and 10 vertebrae, a length of about 6.2cm where the disc slightly widens the central spinal canal, measuring 1.2×1.5mm.
I went back to the neurologist, and he said the MRI doesn't actually explain the cause of my pain and numbness. Because I mentioned joint pain, he now suspects arthritis and recommended I see a physiatrist.
I saw the physiatrist, but she didn't find anything significant either. She said there were no signs of arthritis (my elbows were sensitive near the lateral epicondyle but the Milsov test was negative; positive Tinel sign over the left carpal tunnel, ID around 5-6cm, and flat feet). She recommended therapy consisting of five ultrasound sessions on the trapezius, local massage, and five TENS sessions for my neck and hands.
Other tests I had done in early December include an ENT evaluation (vasomotor and allergic rhinitis with chronic tonsillitis, enlarged angular lymph nodes), an orthodontist visit (who gave me a splint because my TMJ clicks), and a neck ultrasound (small reactive lymph nodes near the anterior edge of the SCM on both sides, a couple of reactive submandibular lymph nodes up to 15mm on both sides, and an inhomogeneous thyroid structure suggesting possible lymphocytic thyroiditis—maybe Hashimoto?).
Over the last few days, I've been feeling joint pain and have had ringing in my right ear a few times. Today, I'm feeling pain running from my right knee down to my foot.
I was pretty active in sports until I was 14, but I just started lifting weights about a week ago. I don't smoke or drink. I tend to get sore throats during the winter, and I've had a few strep infections (the last two didn't involve a fever, just a scratchy throat). Generally, I spend most of my time sitting or lying down. I'm 5'2" and 95 lbs, 22 years old. In my immediate family, there is a history of high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism with suspected Hashimoto, benign uterine tumors, glaucoma, and arthritis. I should also mention that my mental health has been pretty poor since all this started (I've lost weight because I have no appetite).
Does anyone have any ideas on what to do next? Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this.
I went in for blood work the next day (CBC, TSH, CRP, sedimentation, urinalysis, metabolic panel, TSH). Everything was within the normal range except for my MPV (12.2, whereas the limit is 10.4), and my monocytes were at 11.4% (normal is up to 12%). During that week, the general tingling subsided, but I began experiencing nerve and muscle pain. The pain started spreading into my back, shoulders, neck, and head (mostly the forehead and the back of the head). I called my doctor again, but she wanted me to continue the Advil and exercises for another week.
I decided to go ahead and schedule a full physical on my own (breast ultrasound, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, lymph node ultrasound, EKG, CBC, urinalysis, PAP smear). Results showed BI-RADS 2 for the breasts, erythroplakia on the cervix measuring 1.5cm, elevated monocytes at 12.6% (limit 12%), slightly high MCHC at 349 (limit 345), and an MPV of 12.3. My PAP smear showed reactive changes in the cells related to inflammation. The doctor who performed the exam noted that everything looked fine overall.
I saw a neurologist, who suspected cervical brachial syndrome. He ordered an MRI of my cervical and thoracic spine, an SSEP of the median nerve, an EMG, and an EEG.
In early December, I had the MRI done. For the cervical spine, there were abnormalities—osteophytes, and a disc protrusion at the C5-C6 segment (1.3mm) paramedian to the right, which reduces the anterior epidural space, along with minor degenerative changes. For the thoracic spine, the findings included straightened thoracic kyphosis, and at the level of the Th8, 9, and 10 vertebrae, a length of about 6.2cm where the disc slightly widens the central spinal canal, measuring 1.2×1.5mm.
I went back to the neurologist, and he said the MRI doesn't actually explain the cause of my pain and numbness. Because I mentioned joint pain, he now suspects arthritis and recommended I see a physiatrist.
I saw the physiatrist, but she didn't find anything significant either. She said there were no signs of arthritis (my elbows were sensitive near the lateral epicondyle but the Milsov test was negative; positive Tinel sign over the left carpal tunnel, ID around 5-6cm, and flat feet). She recommended therapy consisting of five ultrasound sessions on the trapezius, local massage, and five TENS sessions for my neck and hands.
Other tests I had done in early December include an ENT evaluation (vasomotor and allergic rhinitis with chronic tonsillitis, enlarged angular lymph nodes), an orthodontist visit (who gave me a splint because my TMJ clicks), and a neck ultrasound (small reactive lymph nodes near the anterior edge of the SCM on both sides, a couple of reactive submandibular lymph nodes up to 15mm on both sides, and an inhomogeneous thyroid structure suggesting possible lymphocytic thyroiditis—maybe Hashimoto?).
Over the last few days, I've been feeling joint pain and have had ringing in my right ear a few times. Today, I'm feeling pain running from my right knee down to my foot.
I was pretty active in sports until I was 14, but I just started lifting weights about a week ago. I don't smoke or drink. I tend to get sore throats during the winter, and I've had a few strep infections (the last two didn't involve a fever, just a scratchy throat). Generally, I spend most of my time sitting or lying down. I'm 5'2" and 95 lbs, 22 years old. In my immediate family, there is a history of high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism with suspected Hashimoto, benign uterine tumors, glaucoma, and arthritis. I should also mention that my mental health has been pretty poor since all this started (I've lost weight because I have no appetite).
Does anyone have any ideas on what to do next? Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this.