My Thai GF has numbness in her hands in the morning - Can someone reccomend a Neurolgist for testing -Pattaya

[Longwood50]

I know you can get "ripped off" by going to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.  However does someone know if any of the other hospitals have neurologist that can test for nerve damage.  I suspect she has either Carpal Tunnel or Ulnar Tunnel or perhaps both.  

 

[HappyExpat57]

Is she old enough for diabetes? That's a possible sign.

[Longwood50]

3 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

diabetes?

She is 52 but I would not think she has diabetes.  We were just in Jomtien Hospital back in February and had complete physicals including blood work. 

 

[KhunLA]

Could simple be a pinched nerve.  Chiro and simple neck adjustment may relieve the numbness.

 

C-8 being the nerve root to the hands, I think

[Sheryl]

A neurologist is not who to see for this but rather an orthopedist, preferrably one specializing in hands. There are 2 at BPH. https://bangkokpattayahospital.com/services/find-a-doctor/?jsf=jet-engine&tax=centerclinics:5526;specialty:5677

 

One if them sefms to be there fulltime. The other, Dr.Natthawat, can also be seen at Sdmitiv Chonburi hosputal (located in Chonburi town and probably a bit less expensive than BPH). Might also have hours at Sdmitivej Sri Racha (not sure)

 

[Longwood50]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

A neurologist is not who to see for this but rather an orthopedist,

Thanks Sheryl, 

If it was a problem with an ulnar or carpal tunnel wouldn't it be a neurologist that performed the surgery to eliminate the pinched nerve.  Maybe mine years ago was an orthopedic surgeon and I was thinking wrong that they were neurologists. 

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Longwood50 said:

Thanks Sheryl, 

If it was a problem with an ulnar or carpal tunnel wouldn't it be a neurologist that performed the surgery to eliminate the pinched nerve.  Maybe mine years ago was an orthopedic surgeon and I was thinking wrong that they were neurologists. 

No orthos usually do this. In some western countries it is occasionally also done by neurosurgeons but not, in my evperience, here. 

 

Best to see an ortho specializing in hands. 

[jerrymahoney]

Is it possible she turns in her sleep at night and ends up -- one at a time -- sleeping on her hands?

[Siamjim]

my diabetes started off with that morning numbness...already have carpal tunnel so ignored it for years till noticed ants were attracted to my urine...this was when i was 57 yrs old ...late bloomer, all surprised me since i have always avoided sugar/sweet since a child but eat lots of (carbs) rice to save money.

[Longwood50]

14 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Best to see an ortho specializing in hands.

Thank You.  

[Longwood50]

3 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

Is it possible she turns in her sleep at night and ends up -- one at a time -- sleeping on her hands

No she experiences it in the morning upon waking.  But by moving her hands the numbness goes away.  It resurfaces when she goes out in the yard and uses any implement like a broom, shovel, rake etc.  That makes me think that when her fingers apply pressure that it is causing impingement of a nerve.  

I tried several home tests on her for carpal tunnel but she said it did not trigger the numbness.  She says it is all five fingers.  I have had carp;al tunnel which impacts only the pinkie, ring, and middle finger.  I am told that ulnar tunnel impacts the thumb and pointer fingers.  So either it is something other than nerve impingment or perhaps she has both carpal and ulnar tunnel impingement. 

 

[AlQaholic]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:41 AM, Longwood50 said:

I know you can get "ripped off" by going to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.  However does someone know if any of the other hospitals have neurologist that can test for nerve damage.  I suspect she has either Carpal Tunnel or Ulnar Tunnel or perhaps both.  

 

Take a general health check up with a lab test on blood sample in public hospital. It can be precursor to diabetes. Unless she types like 200 words/m I doubt it is carpal, she should feel it in the wrist.

[Tropposurfer]

On 8/15/2023 at 1:06 PM, KhunLA said:

Could simple be a pinched nerve.  Chiro and simple neck adjustment may relieve the numbness.

 

C-8 being the nerve root to the hands, I think

 

[schweizer]

A common cause of this symptom is vitamin B12 deficiency, tablets available most everywhere and if it works an easy fix

[Longwood50]

2 hours ago, Tropposurfer said:

C-8 being the nerve root to the hands, I think

I never thought of that, but she complains about a stiff neck also.  

[Luuk Chaai]

put the cell phone down !

[mrwebb8825]

get her to rub 1 out for you in the morning and see if the feeling returns - it won't hurt you unless she loses her grip and punches you in the boys repeatedly.

 

Try a chiropractor - made need an adjustment and a new pillow.

[ChrisKC]

Do as Sheryl suggests and go to an Ortho, get a proper diagnosis that takes account of all the the patients circumstances.

 

I think it is not good practice to take action from speculation and guesswork here.

 

In fact with anything that I might think of as not obvious, I will visit my local Doctor, at little expense, and he will refer me to a specialist if necessary!

[bkk6060]

Yes, a neck problem can cause this.  But, many other things can also.

Does she take any medication or drink too much booze?

[jojothai]

3 hours ago, schweizer said:

A common cause of this symptom is vitamin B12 deficiency, tablets available most everywhere and if it works an easy fix

Take note.

My wife gets numbness and has been told by two doctors, local thai and specialist at bkk hospital to take B1-6-12.

They prescibe nuerobian which is extremely expensive and low dose.

 

You can buy high strength B1-6-12  in local tablets very cheap.

Worth trying.

To add to my recommendation.

I have some developing arthritis in the hands and it helps.

FYI  Even more it seems to help with stress control. Helps if i start getting stressed up and potential panic attacks. Folic acid also appears to be a very good help to reduce symptoms of stress.

Appreciate if others have any comment on the B1-6-12.

[Seppius]

12 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Take note.

My wife gets numbness and has been told by two doctors, local thai and specialist at bkk hospital to take B1-6-12.

They prescibe nuerobian which is extremely expensive and low dose.

 

You can buy high strength B1-6-12  in local tablets very cheap.

Worth trying.

To add to my recommendation.

I have some developing arthritis in the hands and it helps.

FYI  Even more it seems to help with stress control. Helps if i start getting stressed up and potential panic attacks. Folic acid also appears to be a very good help to reduce symptoms of stress.

Appreciate if others have any comment on the B1-6-12.

You can get a B12 shot in any small clinic, just for info as well

 

[jojothai]

1 minute ago, Seppius said:

You can get a B12 shot in any small clinic, just for info as well

 

The tabletsi get are very verycheap.

Used to be in pharmacists. Not so easy to find now.

Last time i ordered on lazada.

Travelling on bus now, cannot see it quickly.

Tablets in capture i will attach.

[ibjoe]

1 hour ago, jojothai said:

Take note.

My wife gets numbness and has been told by two doctors, local thai and specialist at bkk hospital to take B1-6-12.

 

Too little or too much vitamin B6 can cause neuropathy. Easy to get enough and hard to get too much from a regular diet, but many supplements are often overloaded with this. If she is eating any supplements or vitamin pills, suggest check the labels carefully and stop any with B6.

[ibjoe]

I had this symptom for many years. Initially neurologist diagnosed as Carpal Tunnel, but treatment (braces) for that had no effect. Eventually my regular doctor did blood tests revealing high level of vitamin B6. Too little or too much vitamin B6 can cause neuropathy. Easy to get enough and hard to get too much from a regular healthy diet, but many supplements are often overloaded with this. If she is eating any supplements or vitamin pills, suggest check the labels carefully and stop any with B6 and/or do blood test for B6 levels. For me, I identified an amino acid supplement that had a ridiculous amount of added B6, stopping that brought down my B6 levels and reduced the symptoms. My blood B6 levels were still a bit high, my daily multi-vitamin had "100% RDA") B6, after stopping that as well my levels are normal and my symptoms are cleared, for many years now.

[friendphil]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:41 AM, Longwood50 said:

I know you can get "ripped off" by going to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.  However does someone know if any of the other hospitals have neurologist that can test for nerve damage.  I suspect she has either Carpal Tunnel or Ulnar Tunnel or perhaps both.  

 

I'm not in Pattaya, but in Khon Kaen.  My wife very recently had a nerve test on her right arm/hand/fingers and the cost was around 11,000 baht at the Bangkok Hospital here. I don't know if I'd call that a rip-off or not, but it seemed to open the door for more treatments at the University Hospital here. 

[Paradise Pete]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:29 AM, Longwood50 said:

Thanks Sheryl, 

If it was a problem with an ulnar or carpal tunnel wouldn't it be a neurologist that performed the surgery to eliminate the pinched nerve.  Maybe mine years ago was an orthopedic surgeon and I was thinking wrong that they were neurologists. 

The ortho is the place to start. He or she will refer you to (or consult with) a neurologist if need be. That's what happened in my case (I couldn't move my arm - a scary thing). My case ended up being much more complicated, but the underlying cause was in my neck.

[Sheryl]

12 hours ago, Longwood50 said:

I never thought of that, but she complains about a stiff neck also.  

If neck is also giving her problems could be an issue with cervical spine.

[schweizer]

It should also be noted that vitamins like B12 etc are normally found in red meat, fresh water fish and other things, as our consumption of red meat has gone down, for health and other reasons B12 deficiency cases are rising,

 

People should be careful of any change they make to their regular diet and adjust the intake of vitamins and minerals according in tablet form if possible

[transam]

B12 in Marmite..................

[Yellowtail]

On 8/16/2023 at 1:19 PM, Siamjim said:

my diabetes started off with that morning numbness...already have carpal tunnel so ignored it for years till noticed ants were attracted to my urine...this was when i was 57 yrs old ...late bloomer, all surprised me since i have always avoided sugar/sweet since a child but eat lots of (carbs) rice to save money.

How does one happen to notice this?