My Arm

So, silly thing. My arm has had that tingly feeling like it's asleep or like blood is not going to it for about 3 weeks. I went to my neuro (because he's basically my main doc) and he ordered some tests. I don't have them back yet, but I thought I'd just share the testing with you because it's CRAZY!

So, they have this machine that outs out electric impulses every 3 seconds or so. He taped the electrodes in certain places on my hand and then placed the metal dowel looking thing on my arm over a main nerve. Then he shocked me. He raised the output every between impulses so that it got stronger each time until it hurt and my arm was moving on it's own (weird). It measures the time it takes the electricity to get from on point to another. So me moved the electrodes all over my hand and arm then did the same on my good arm to compare.

After that torture was over, he took a needle and put it into different places in my hand and arm until he reached the nerve. He did both arms to compare. I don't know what that tested but it was rather unpleasant. I acted like it was nothing though. I just kept talking through it all. He would ask if I was really ok, and I used my normal response of "Hey, nothing is as bad as brain surgery" (which is very true.....childbirth included). So I pretend like I am rock solid when really I'm like a little whiny girl inside.

I have a friend who had something similar happen to him in the same place and he ended up with surgery. They cut him open at the elbow and buried the nerve in his muscle. I would love to avoid doing that. In fact, I may just deal with a numb arm rather than that!