I am a Type-2 diabetic. I saw my doctor last week and told him that I have been having some mild numbness in the little-finger sides of my hands and in my finger tips. It comes and goes. He checked my legs and feet, and I have no sign of any nerve damage at all in either place. He said that diabetic neuropathy always starts in the feet or ankles, so that it could not be that. He ordered a spine X-Ray for me, because he thinks that a pinched nerve could be causing the numbness in my hands. This sounds a little off-the-wall to me. I have decided that I am not going to have the X-Ray. Any other diabetics have similar symptoms?
The reason to see a doctor is for their advise. If you are not going to listen then don't waste the money and suffer quietly. I have type 2 diabetes and have the same problem with the little finger but only on one hand. It IS a pinched nerve so the doctor MAY be right. Thus the x-ray to find out.
It is not 'off the wall' but an honest diagnosis that should be pursued as requested. Get the x-ray!
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include pain and paresthesias in the median nerve distribution. Diagnosis is suggested by symptoms and signs and confirmed by nerve conduction velocity testing. Treatments include ergonomic improvements, analgesia, splinting, and sometimes corticosteroid injection or surgery.
Please see the web pages for more details on Carpal tunnel syndrome and Google search on Diabetic neuropathy.
You need to have that x-ray, if for no other reason than to rule out neuropathy. It is not unheard of that nerve damage occurs in the hands, and even the face. It could be a number of things, but have the test.
If it is neuopathy, it can be treated and, in some cases, even reversed. If not, there could be other treatments which are appropriate.
Sounds to me that your doctor gave you good advice. i had a similar problem and had to wear a cervical collar for a few weeks, the problem cleared up.