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Member since 2/6/16
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Posted on: 7/30/22 1:16 PM ET
A friend who does alterations just shared that she has tingling and numbness in her fingers, hands, and arms. She said she has problems with picking up pins. She said the issue is constant and I think she has been bothered for several months. She summers away from home so she doesn't want to see a doctor until she returns in fall. Does anyone have suggestions for her? TIA.
  
Member since 11/13/04
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Posted on: 7/30/22 1:28 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
I understand you like to help. Online suggestions don't replace a good doctor.

When I had similar symptoms I ended up in the hospital for a week for tests.
  
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Posted on: 7/30/22 1:30 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
Yes, she should see a doctor especially if she has been bothered by this for several months.
Today should be the day she calls not in the fall.
  
Member since 4/1/08
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Posted on: 7/30/22 1:37 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
Doctor.

Possibly chiropractor.

Some states allow for physical therapy care and guidance without first seeing a doctor for a prescription.

Calling home to speak with her primary provider's PA or nurse practitioner asap. She may be most comfortable with this approach and her known provider's office could then advise her on a course of action. (If she refuses to immediately seek local assistance.) And, she could ask about setting up a telemed appointment as a follow up to whatever recommendations they make.

I would not wish for a friend to guess or speculate about something that could be simple, or not. Nor, as had to be addressed with my mom, would I want to have someone travel with an unresolved health concern that could be simple to address, or not. Your are kind to be concerned enough to venture into the tricky waters of constructive concern.


-- Edited on 7/30/22 at 1:47 PM ET --
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Each fallen petal reveals a life pollinated by a colony
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
  
Member since 8/14/05
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Posted on: 7/30/22 1:41 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
She needs to see a doctor now. Period. This could be serious - and maybe not but no online advice for medical reasons is needed here - GO TO THE nearest urgent care.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." --Dalai Lama
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Pfaff 1222E, Elna eXcellence 720, Brother Innovis PS500, Brother SE400, Brother 1034D, Sunbeam irons ;)
  
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Posted on: 7/30/22 2:01 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
I second Mufffet’s advice. If your friend goes to Urgent Care, it is possible she can learn whether this is something that requires care NOW or something that can wait several weeks to months until she is home.

If it is something that can wait, your friend needs to call her hometown doctor and schedule an appointment for when she arrives home. If she waits to call until she is home, it could be another 4-6 weeks.

I am not an advocate of waiting. My sister and I suspected that my mom was having some problems. Out of respect for her, we were slower in our discovery process. Mom had a stroke that changed her life, a stroke we still think might have been avoided had mom (1) trusted us not to put her into a care facility and (2) not been so crafty about hiding issues. Since then, when there is something that just feels off in terms of my body/health, I act on it. I advocate the same for my friends. The older one gets, the more important maintaining good health is.
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

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Posted on: 7/30/22 2:10 PM ET
In reply to sewerlibn
thirding the recommendation to deal with this right away. With a real doctor! This is probably "peripheral neuropathy" meaning it's a sign of nerve damage. Early sign of diabetes...for one thing. If it goes on long enough, you get permanant damage in your hands. (I have this in my feet.) Could be caused by other things, like arthritis, or auto-immune. Get it looked at!

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/

from Cleveland Clinic...does this sound like your friend?
"People in certain professions, such as those that require repetitive motions, have a greater chance of developing mononeuropathies from trauma or compression of nerves."

Mayo Clinic: "When to see a doctor
Seek medical care right away if you notice unusual tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for controlling your symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nerves."
-- Edited on 7/30/22 at 2:28 PM ET --
  
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