Loss of feeling on arms/hands

[filthiestfis]

My girlfriend has been losing feeling in her arms & hands for about a year now. Her previous job did involve some heavy lifting and so does her current job. She went to see her gp a few months back and he simply said "Well you need to change job!". No kidding. She often wakes up at night with no feeling in her arms and has to sit on the bed for a few minutes to get the blood flowing. I dont think that this is normal. I have been employed in jobs where heavy lifting was involved and this never happened to me.
The thing is, should she try to get a second opinion from another nhs doctor? Her gp didnt even bother to do any tests on her. Is it worth going private for this? Has anyone here suffered the same problem? You know, she is not in a position to ask her employer to change her around at work so she is just putting up with it.

[saxy_jag]

She shouldn't put up with it. She needs to go back to her GP and ask for another opinion (if it's a group practice, can she see another GP?). She may indeed have to change her job eventually and she does have certain rights at work if she cannot do her current job, especially if work has caused the condition, but she needs to know what that condition is.

My mum has a loss of feeling in her hands, but she's 78 and arthritic, and I have loss of feeling in one hand, but that's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, so our symptoms don't really match your girlfriend's at all. As to what it is, I really couldn't say. You'd need a proper doctor for that.

[daffy654]

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Peripheral-neuropathy/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

[marval]

She definately needs to see another doctor, telling her to change jobs is no help at all. I had a similar thing but that turned out to be Carpal tunnel syndrome, and I have RA. The lifting shouldn't really cause this. She needs to ask to see another doctor, they should at least have checked it out. I hope she feels better soon.

[LoftyLottie]

I agree she should see another doctor. I lose feeling in my hands and arms every night light this and it's due to arthritis in my neck, which I have had for 40 years plus. However, there are many reasons this could happen although neck problems are the most common.

I hope she gets in sorted out. It may be something that could be solved simply or at least helped if it is arthritis. The GP has been quite negligent.

Good luck.

[LoftyLottie]

*like this !

[karenmac60]

Does she smoke? I get this and its down to smoking and poor circulation. But there are other, more serious conditions this could be an indication of, she'd be best to see another doc.

[KRUSTYMAN]

Definitely get a second opinion if possible. I don't want to scare you and the remedy may be very simple but I had a similar problem. I had an xray when I had similar symptoms and it revealed swollen discs in my neck ( my job entailed a lot of heavy lifting). I was advised to rest it but because I had used up all my available sick entitlement because of my 'problem' I was 'forced' to carry on working. The result - my discs split/prolapsed and I haven't been able to work since because of chronic pain and varying degrees of paralysis. I had to retire at 35 and haven't been able to work for almost 15 years (retirement without money is no fun!). Anyway, I know I sound like a doom mongerer and your girlfriends problem is probably something simple but do INSIST on an xray!!!! Please!

[filthiestfis]

Thank you guys. Im trying to get her to book an appointment with a different doctor. So far my experience with gps in this country hasnt been great. You have to beg them or presist to get them to do anything for you other than hand you prescriptions for pills.