I'm hoping "Gull" or some other MD out there can give me some advice. This being Labor Day weekend, I can't really run right over to my ortho or neuro doc. Background: I know I have minor carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists (who doesn't now-a-days?). I'm training for an ultra long swim, and picking up the yardage. I noticed a week a go that after about 3-4000 yds/mtrs, the last two fingers of my right hand go numb, and it begins to spread up my arm, up to nearly the shoulder. I can flip over and do backstroke & shake it out, no problem, rest for a bit on the wall, and it temporarily stops, but then when I get going again, it comes right back. There is NO pain involved, and no nasty sequelae (yet), no swelling, redness, change in temperature to the limb; and once I stop swimming, it completely resolves until the next time I'm swimming a long workout. So - how to prevent it? I certainly can't just stop swimming - the "race" is 10 miles long, so I'm bound to experience this during the event, as well. I kinda wonder if it may be partially related to the water temperature, because lately we've been swimming in 76-78 degree water. Ideas?
Thank you all for your input!! :) As luck would have it, today I went to the pool and ran into one of the swim team parents - who is our favorite neurosurgeon. We chatted a bit & he agreed that it was most likely not a dangerous injury, and certainly not in my cervical spine, but that I probably was rotating or moving in some way that stretches that nerve a little bit (someone mentioned that, didn't they?) The dermotone map was very helpful, and as an NP, I actually had looked at that, and realized that everything was connected. I'm relieved that I will live, and don't have to quit my training, or even have an MRI - the lack of pain & quick return of sensation (I never really lose sensation, it just gets kinda numb) was Dr.Rumana's "proof" that it is minor. For me, anyways. Thanks again to you all! I'm off in the morning to do my trial swim in the Ichetucknee River - 3.5 miles in 70 degree water!! :banana::banana::banana:
Thank you all for your input!! :) As luck would have it, today I went to the pool and ran into one of the swim team parents - who is our favorite neurosurgeon. We chatted a bit & he agreed that it was most likely not a dangerous injury, and certainly not in my cervical spine, but that I probably was rotating or moving in some way that stretches that nerve a little bit (someone mentioned that, didn't they?) The dermotone map was very helpful, and as an NP, I actually had looked at that, and realized that everything was connected. I'm relieved that I will live, and don't have to quit my training, or even have an MRI - the lack of pain & quick return of sensation (I never really lose sensation, it just gets kinda numb) was Dr.Rumana's "proof" that it is minor. For me, anyways. Thanks again to you all! I'm off in the morning to do my trial swim in the Ichetucknee River - 3.5 miles in 70 degree water!! :banana::banana::banana: