Tingling/Numbness in fingers of left hand.

[Liquorice]

I recently took a trip back to the UK and became sick the day after arriving.

The GP diagnosed a water infection and put me on a 7 day course of antibiotics.

Apart from the urge to constantly urinate, I felt quite poorly, sleeping a lot, feeling nauseated, and not eating for 4 days.

The GP then prescribed me something to stop the nausea and regain my appetite, however I immediately had an allergic reaction to this medication and came out in a rash covering my whole body.

I was then put on a 5 day course of steroids, and the rash eventually cleared up.

Since then I have experienced a numbness and tingling to the index and middle finger tips of my left hand, and an itching sensation to the little finger.

This started the day before I returned to Thailand, 5 days ago.

I had a blood and urine sample taken and tested a few days before returning and nothing abnormal was detected.

I wonder if this could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, perhaps brought on by the infection or allergic reaction to the medication.

Would a course of anti inflammatory medication help, (which one), or should I seek further medical advice.

[AlexRich]

I'd seek medical advice. It may be unconnected to previous illness. My mother has recently experienced this tingling/numbness and she had a TIA (mini-stroke) ... I'm not for a second suggesting this is your issue, just that it could be one of several ailments.

Find a good doctor.

[Johnniey]

I was offered a mild antidepressant for a similar thing but refused to as the are mind altering drugs.

[thaiduncankk]

I had a similar thing years ago in the UK, but I had numbness in the arm also, especially in cold weather. The GP was convinced it was Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. However, he sent me for a CT scan, and the eventually the diagnosis was spondylosis. Wouldn't do any harm to visit a doctor here, and ask for further investigation.

[ammagic]

Sounds very much like a lingering allergy to the medication. Check it out though

[joeyg]

I am reluctant to give any input on your case as I consistently get flamed when I give a medical opinion. Like "good thing you're retired" or "were you ever a physician in the first place." However I am concerned about your case. Here goes anyway. I was trained and taught to "assume the worse and hope for the best" or "err on the side of caution."

#1 My first concern, "assuming the worse", as Alex Rich pointed out is the possibility of TIA. Recc. MRI/with contrast and appropriate lab work STAT. Don't like CT scans. Too much radiation. MRIs gives as good or better results with no risks to the patient, we know of.

#2 Thaiduncankk pointed out what could be a could possibility as well. That your symptoms originate from the C Spine/ Neck, spondylosis, stenosis, DJD again MRI best to R/O other pathologies.

#3 Doesn't sound like an allergic response or Carpel Tunnel. Are you a golfer or tennis player could be lateral/medial Epicondylitis Tennis/golfers elbow with referred pain.

#4 What is a water infection? Negative labs. Give antibiotics?

I would get to Urgent Care/ER STAT!

[johnatong]

OP

You should seek a consultation with a neurologist or an orthopaedic surgeon with an interest in hand/spinal matters.

The cost of a consultation will not exceed 2000 Bht.

[Sheryl]

Yes, see an ortho specializing in hand.

If you are in Bangkom area, PROF.DR.PANUPAN SONGCHAROEN is very good.

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/40188/PYT3/en

http://www.phyathai.com/doctorsearchdetail/54411/PYT2/en

He can also be seen at Siriraj Hospital private wing, in case you are on or near that side of the river http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

[Satcommlee]

Carpal tunnel syndrone or peripheral neuropathy possibly? The later especially if you been drinking a little too much over the years.

[Liquorice]

Thanks for your input folks.

Just to update, over the last couple of days the numbness in my fingers has receded, but I notice small red, very itchy blemishes appearing on both hands, on my right forearm and left armpit, very similar to the same condition when I had an allergic reaction, but to a lesser extent.

Just small red, itchy, slightly swollen blemishes that come and go within 24 hours.

Yesterday the blemishes appeared on both feet, today there gone, but another has appeared on my forearm.

It's to coincidental with my recent allergic reaction to consider spondylitis as the cause, I'm practically T-total, and don't play hand ball games.

I'm thinking the same as ammagic, that it's a lingering allergy not cleared up by the Steroids.

I agree with many of you though, and I'm looking into finding a good orthopaedic consultant, I live in Roi Et

[JDGRUEN]

I think 'joeyg' is on the right track. I also think it is a possible bulging disc in the lower neck/ upper chest. One thing that I firmly believe is a test for a bulging disc is to put an frozen gel pack at the base of the neck - and down the back for 15-20 minutes ... try this a couple of times. If you get relief from the problem in your hand then it is likely a disc problem.

But a proper check at a doctor's office with perhaps an MRI would be prudent.

Water massage as in a tub with jets would be good for temporary relief. A visit to a Chiropractor could be helpful - they can often spot a problem and relieve it.

[gk10002000]

Could be coincidental with the trip and the medication, but cervical vertebra and pinched nerves, or collapsed or bulging discs are always a suspect, especially after a long plane flight, bad neck/head posture etc.

[Saastrajaa]

I am reluctant to give any input on your case as I consistently get flamed when I give a medical opinion. Like "good thing you're retired" or "were you ever a physician in the first place." However I am concerned about your case. Here goes anyway. I was trained and taught to "assume the worse and hope for the best" or "err on the side of caution."

#1 My first concern, "assuming the worse", as Alex Rich pointed out is the possibility of TIA. Recc. MRI/with contrast and appropriate lab work STAT. Don't like CT scans. Too much radiation. MRIs gives as good or better results with no risks to the patient, we know of.

#2 Thaiduncankk pointed out what could be a could possibility as well. That your symptoms originate from the C Spine/ Neck, spondylosis, stenosis, DJD again MRI best to R/O other pathologies.

#3 Doesn't sound like an allergic response or Carpel Tunnel. Are you a golfer or tennis player could be lateral/medial Epicondylitis Tennis/golfers elbow with referred pain.

#4 What is a water infection? Negative labs. Give antibiotics?

I would get to Urgent Care/ER STAT!

Haha, the ones who should get "flamed" are the idiots who seek medical advice on a web forum (especially one populated by such characters as this one)...in my opinion, they deserve exactly what they get from such a source!

[arjunadawn]

My first medical instructor taught me something decades ago that I never forgot: "Never look for zebras when everyone else is riding horses." This does not mean that medical deduction does not have its zebras, but all things considered, Occam was probably correct- The easiest solution is probably right.

1. It is related to the flurry of meds you took or

2. It is coincidental to the flurry of meds you took

In this case the flurry of different Rx might account for systemic signs on finger tips with more local signs on one or another- first suspect, the Rx!

Your Rx of steroids and then the unilateral stenosis signs in the hand/fingers seems unlikely- I mean, its catabolic= it shrinks!

Unless of course the steroids had a paradoxical effect and made evident something that was subclinical.

I always advise people with tingling in the fingers to challenge themselves with a Multi B vitamin (B12) while exploring follow up with a doc. It cannot hurt and you would be surprised at how many people respond well to this.

Have a check up. Talk to the doc. Eval for Diabetes. Do a baseline labs profile. Have the doctor do some distraction tests for stenosis, compression, etc.

Lastly, you described a serious cycle of medicines in within a very short time. Just be wary because as we age we relate to medicines a bit differently. I wish you well.

Edited May 21, 2016 by arjunadawn

[Liquorice]

After trolling the Pharmacies and a number of Clinics for a couple of days, all of which gave blank stares when my symptoms were described, I took the plunge and visited Roi Et government hospital.

My condition was quickly diagnosed as Angioedema

Apparently it's another condition that can sometimes happen along with Hives.

It mainly causes swelling and itchiness to the hands, feet, eyes, lips and in severe cases the throat.

I was dispatched with a prescription course of antihistamines.

Total cost 74bht for consultation, diagnoses and supply of medication.

[joeyg]

After trolling the Pharmacies and a number of Clinics for a couple of days, all of which gave blank stares when my symptoms were described, I took the plunge and visited Roi Et government hospital.

My condition was quickly diagnosed as Angioedema

Apparently it's another condition that can sometimes happen along with Hives.

It mainly causes swelling and itchiness to the hands, feet, eyes, lips and in severe cases the throat.

I was dispatched with a prescription course of antihistamines.

Total cost 74bht for consultation, diagnoses and supply of medication.

Glad you seem to have gotten a correct diagnosis. Hope your feeling better soon. However I would consider a second opinion STAT. The possibility of airway constriction is a concern.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/135208-treatment

http://www.aaem.org/em-resources/position-statements/2006/clinical-practice-guidelines

Edited May 23, 2016 by joeyg

[chubby]

Bradykinin-mediated angioedema

• Tends to develop over hours to a few days

• Is not accompanied by other manifestations of allergic reactions