Concerns About Possible Nerve Issues Without Access to Medical Care
Age: 22, Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) For several years now, I've dealt with persistent discomfort around an old scar from an appendectomy. This discomfort sometimes complicates my ability to stretch and causes sharp pain when I sneeze, unless I position myself in a specific way. On occasions, the pain becomes so intense that I find myself immobilized, whether I am walking, standing, or seated. I can best describe the sensation as sudden and piercing, often feeling tight and throbbing, akin to being jabbed with something extremely sharp. However, in 2023, I noticed that the pain has not only spread but also escalated in severity. I now feel this discomfort, or a significant ache, in various areas including the upper part of my spine, shoulder blades, upper ribs, pelvis, inner thighs, buttocks, fingers, knuckles, ankles, and toes. Interestingly, this pain tends to worsen when it rains. As a result, I was forced to leave my job as my condition continually prevented me from performing effectively. Recently, I have also experienced a strange sensation in my fingers, akin to electrical shocks. Even light contact, like brushing against an object or a gentle bump against my phone, triggers a shocking feeling. This is a new symptom for me, and I'm uncertain about how to address it, particularly given my financial constraints preventing a doctor's visit. I suspect it may be related to nerve issues, but I'm unsure about the possible causes or solutions.
Answers (1)
7/20/2025, 6:01:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a complex combination of discomfort and pain that has significantly affected your daily life. Your symptoms, including sharp pain, widespread aches, and unusual sensations like electric shocks, could suggest a range of possible issues, possibly involving nerve sensitivity or other underlying conditions. Here’s how to approach your situation:
Summary of Main Points
- You are experiencing persistent pain and discomfort in multiple areas of your body, particularly around an older surgical scar.
- New symptoms, such as electrical sensations in your fingers, are concerning and could indicate nerve involvement.
- It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by this situation, especially without access to medical care.
Explanation
The discomfort near your surgical scar may be linked to nerve irritation or scar tissue, leading to referred pain in nearby areas. Your global pain and the new shock-like sensations in your fingers might suggest a potential nerve issue, such as neuropathy. Various factors could contribute, including trauma, inflammation, or even environmental factors, given your mention of worsened symptoms during rainy weather.
Next Steps
Here are actionable steps to help you manage your symptoms:
-
Self-Care Techniques:
- Gentle Stretching and Range of Motion Exercises: Focus on gentle stretches to maintain flexibility, especially in areas that feel tight. Try stretching your back, shoulders, and limbs gently without pushing into pain. Consider doing this for 5-10 minutes, a few times a day.
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Use a heating pad or warm compress on areas of discomfort to relax tight muscles and improve blood flow. Conversely, applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation if swelling is present.
-
Pain Management:
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as needed, following the package directions. However, be cautious if you have any medical conditions or are taking other medications—consider checking with a pharmacist if unsure.
-
Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure that you’re well-hydrated and consuming a balanced diet. Certain foods, such as those high in Omega-3 fatty acids (like fish, flaxseeds) and antioxidants (like berries), may help with inflammation.
- Monitor Pain Triggers: Keeping a diary to track activities or weather patterns that worsen your symptoms can help identify triggers and modify your activities accordingly.
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:
- Incorporate stress-reducing practices such as deep-breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga to help manage the psychological aspect of chronic pain.
-
Pacing Activities:
- Plan your daily activities to avoid overexertion. Break your tasks into smaller segments and allow for rest periods to manage fatigue.
If your symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop, especially the electrical sensations, it's crucial to seek medical attention when possible. In addition, many communities offer sliding scale clinics or telehealth options that might provide care within your financial constraints.
Remember, you are taking proactive steps to manage your health, and that is an important and positive action!
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!