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Hello, I Have A Question About My Arm That Is
Question: Hello, I have a question about my arm that is troubling me. One day I woke up and my arm felt numb. I have no sensation on my extensor digitorum side of my arm. If I were to tickle that part with a feather, I wouldn't feel anything. Additionally, about one and a half weeks after the numbness, I presented weakness. My arm feels weak if I were to carry something heavier and my wrist fails if I were to hold something heavy downwards. Although I still have strength to hold a cup or a gallon of water, my grip feels weakened. I also have the occasional tingling and sometimes muscle spasms. About a month before this pain happened, I went rock climbing. Between that month, my arm was normal. I am also have been working a lot on the computer for several hours since this pandemic (something I am not used to doing). additionally, I have worked out at home, and applied a bit of pressure on my wrists. As a young man, searching on the internet, Ive been worried it could be ALS or something serious, so I am looking for other explanations.
Brief Answer:
The symptoms are not suggestive of ALS.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.
I have noted your clinical details. Based on this, the symptoms are not suggestive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a pure motor system disease, where there is weakness and thinning of muscles. Patients with ALS do not have numbness, tingling or pain.
The most likely cause in your case could be a neuropathy of radial nerve, called as radial nerve palsy. It could be due to mechanical pressure over the nerve during sleep.
In many cases, it improves on own over a few weeks. If symptoms persist, a nerve conduction study may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
The symptoms are not suggestive of ALS.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for posting your query.
I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and I would try my best to help you.
I have noted your clinical details. Based on this, the symptoms are not suggestive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a pure motor system disease, where there is weakness and thinning of muscles. Patients with ALS do not have numbness, tingling or pain.
The most likely cause in your case could be a neuropathy of radial nerve, called as radial nerve palsy. It could be due to mechanical pressure over the nerve during sleep.
In many cases, it improves on own over a few weeks. If symptoms persist, a nerve conduction study may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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