A couple months ago, I posted about having a pinched nerve in my neck which was affecting my shoulder and forearm. Its been a little over two months since the injury? occured, and after about two weeks the pain basically left. In its place is a left arm that aint been functioning well. My rear shoulder muscle, the anterior deltoid is all but gone, I imagine due to atrophy. Looks really weird, just a flat place on my shoulder. Its pretty much numb there, and also on an area about six inches long on my forearm. My upper forearm muscle has also atrophied some causing me to lose strength in my grip. I took physical therapy for three weeks but was told by the therapist that I was doing well enough to do the exercises at home. She also told me it make take months for the numb feeling and strength to come back. I do the exercises she showed me and also use weights doing primarily shoulder exercises to try and bring back the shoulder muscle. Ive always been strong in my arms and such, so this is really weird to me. At times picking up a can of paint is hard. Improvement is coming though, at a slow pace. Ive talked to other people who have had this same problem, and it took anywhere from six months to a year to get completely better. Gets really aggravating sometimes, cause of the numbness, kinda feels like someone has their hand on my shoulder all the time. Anyway, just bringing you up to date. I will survive. Posted by Cpack (Member # 2011) on :
John the only reason I used a smiley face was to maybe cheer you up. I know what you are going through. I will email my number so you can call me if you want to. October 26, 1998, I was in a car wreck. Just a little fender bender but it was hard on this old body. At the exact monent of the wreck I went numb from my chin to my toes. It was awful. To make a long story short, I am 100% disabled. DO NOT HAVE SURGERY! Find a good acupunturist and a good massage therapist. I spend $100.00 a week for the two and that is the only thing that keeps me going. I had a stroke during surgery( very common for neck surgery) and my short term memory is awful along with spelling. Hang in there and we will keep in touch.
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