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Advice please!

N

Natalie

Member
Messages
22
Hi,

I have a T1 uncle who is currently recovering from a serious case of pneumonia. Since he's been released from hospital he's been unable to feel some of his fingers on one arm and gets shooting pains up his arm that also hurt his chest, especially if he tries to straighten the arm. It's been about 6 weeks and it's still the same - the doctors have said it's probably something to do with the tendon but aren't too concerned about it, because they have many other things to assess and treat too in relation to his illness, such as fluid on his lungs. Since it's lasted so long and with the loss of feeling, he's worried that it's something to do with his nerves instead. It could obviously be something to do with the after-effects of the pneumonia, but the loss of feeling seems to point to nerve damage to me, but I don't know enough to either confirm or dispel his worries.

Could someone more educated offer an opinion? Someone also mentioned to him there is a test to see if it is nerve-related, does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks for any help

x
 
Hi Natalie,
The tests you are referring to are EMG/NCS examinations, I've had the NCS which came out OK, I now have appointment for the EMG. If you follow the link it will explain the procedure:

http://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/Libra ... aflet2.pdf

Hope all works out OK.

Regards Graham
 
I think the people with a more educated opinion are the doctors who know his medical history, and current medical condition. It's impossible for us to effectively comment on something (ie your uncle's medical condition) we don't know much about. If they are worried about his lungs ahead of his possible tendon problem, I'd tend to go with that. Ask questions and don't let his other medical issues get forgotten.
I've had nerve-conduction tests for problems with the nerves in my arms, but I don't know anything about tendon problems. I suspect, as with things like carpal tunnel syndrome, the next step would be for his GP to consider physiotherapy. But that's just a guess from me.

How does your uncle feel about the arm pain? And how he's being treated?

I hope everything gets sorted out for him soon

take care

E
 
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