Compressed nerve in arm

[sanden]

Does anyone have any knowledge of this. I had a real fright as my 30 year old daughter has gone to Rome for the weekend and during the flight her arm had pins and needles and went numb, which was very frightening. It was still limp some time after so she has been to a hospital in Rome, at first one doctor said she had had a mini stroke, but then she saw a few other doctors. One of them ran his finger along her arm and she said he had touched exactly the affected part, and he said she has compressed a nerve. After a number of injections and tablets they have put her arm in plaster and said she must go straight to hospital on her return in order that she can have therapy to try to repair the nerve.
I have heard of trapped nerve before but not compressed - is it the same thing?
I assume she has the plaster cast to avoid any further damage to the nerve.
Does anyone have any experience of this, and have any words of encouragement. It has been a really frightening time. She is not in pain, but quite frightened and the language barrier makes things even more difficult. I am just hoping and praying that she can get the use of her arm back. Any thoughts please.

[Beanmistriss]

Hiya. No experience of exactly whats happened to your daughter but my blokes having an operation next week to free up compressed nerves in his neck. Basically his disks have slipped a bit so the nerves are being squashed. So compressed just means (in his case anyway) that the nereves are a bit squished. Hope shes ok :)

[sanden]

Thanks for the quick response. Its very worrying, but I think we will feel better when she gets back to the UK. The hospital in Rome would not let her boyfriend go in with her so it will be nice when she is back with family and on familiar ground. I hope your man gets on OK too.

[Ethel]

Some useful information here:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/articl e/000790.htm

[gucciman]

i get exactly the same thing everytime i travel long distances on the train, its caused by the cheap nasty narrow plastic arm rests that the train companies fit these days, they dig into my forearm and compress the nerves, ve often woke up unable to feel my arm or fingers. it does normally clear up after 15 mins or so though

[sqad617]

Sudden onset ( I think) of numbness, weakness,pins and needles in one arm in a woman of 30.
That is the scenario that you pose to the AB.
All the replies that you have been given are done so in good faith, but this, in my opinion, is one of the questions that need to be answered by a consultant Neurologist, who would need to examine your daughter and enlist the help of an MRI scanner. Do not read anything sinister into my answer as there well may be a simple explanation. There are at least 30+diagnosis to be considered.

[sanden]

I totally understand that squad, but as my daughter is not back until very late tonight I just thought I would ask for a bit more info. It seems a long time to wait and I thought some other peoples experiences may put my mind at rest a little. It will be hosptal first thing tomorrow.

[sanden]

Sorry its sqad. Thanks to the others too, it has been a very frightening time.

[sqad617]

Sqad, squad.....squid even..no big deal. Good luck for tonight, just have the feeling that it is a minor problem.

[sanden]

Ethel thanks so much for the link. I have tried to read through and digest, and it has been very helpful. So much info it is hard to take in at once.
I feel very confused about how this has happened and what the outcome will be, but possibly feel a little less scared now.
I hope that in a few days I can report that everything is going well.
Thanks again - you really cover so many subjects!! A big help.

[sanden]

Hi all - my daughter flew back last night and went to our local hospital this morning. She has started to get some movement in her fingers, so they say the rest should gradually come back. They took off the plaster cast and have confirmed she should carry on with the medication, and given her a splint to give a bit of protection.
I feel a lot better now but still have to keep everything crossed that it will all be ok in the end.

[Beanmistriss]

Gald to hear it's not too bad, hope she recovers fully soon :) x

[sanden]

Thanks a lot, its really kind of you. She still hasnt got much more movement, but as the doctors and GP say it will gradually come back then we have to be patient. How did your man get on with his op?