Fistula and steel symdrom....

[tyefly]

question about Fistula and numbness in my hand and two fingers........ I had a transplant three years ago  and my fistula has been work good....   but two days ago  I woke up and had numbness in my hand and two fingers....   just like if you lay on your arm  then I get numbness  and then when I move off my arm  the numbness goes away....well it didn't ....and now its there all the time......      has anyone had this problem....   I am not sure if I should go to the doctor  or    just let it  be and see if it goes away....     fistula is still working good......   no pain   or  swelling...  just half of my hand and my pinkie and next fingers are tingling all the time....     boy....   

[noahvale]

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[obsidianom]

I agree with NoahVale on physiatrists  as I refer to them a lot..
That said , it sounds like the nerve around the elbow on the pinkie side may be inflamed or entrapped . The location of the numbness indicates it is the ulnar nerve which innervates the last 2 fingers and out side of the hand. The other possibility is carpel tunnel but it is less likely.  It is possible the fistula is pressing on the nerve so talk to your vascular surgeon just to be safe.

[Simon Dog]

I think it's Steal syndrome, not Steel syndrome.    "Steal" as in "take", not "ferrous".

[justagirl2325]

So many things I've never heard of.  I wonder if this is what is happening to my DH.  He just had a fistula "installed? is that the proper word?" and his hand has been tingling and numb ever since.  He has seen the surgeon once more and has another appt this Wednesday, to check again.  Not enough blood is getting through to the hand.

[Charlie B53]

I agree with Dr O.

Similar to carpel tunnel, compression of a nerve to the hand, only in a different place, the elbow.  Brother was so bad the Surgeon did a decompression which work well for Brother.  I have it in both arms, it only occurs when I am asleep and I wake up to find my arm bent, the elbow is flexed as far as it will go.  Straighten the arm and in a few minutes the 'tingling' clears. Sometimes it can be quite painful.  Dr gave me a pair of arm bands, sort of like slide on padded elastic 'tubes' to wear on both elbows during the night while in bed.  They help to keep you from bending, and keeping the arm(s) bent during sleep.  They work, but are not real comfortable so I don't use them much.

A question, when does this sensation occur?  During the day, or do you waken to this tingling?  Does it clear up on it's own, or does it persist for some period of time?

Tho it 'may' be possible that your fistula impinges on the nerve I doubt it as I suspect the nerve is on the bottom outer side of the ulna, running near the same path as the 'funny bone'.

Just re-read your post, that you wake up with the sensation.  This is more likely the 'bent arm' in your sleep.  This may need the arm bands to help you keep from keeping them bent for so long until your teach yourself to keep your arm straighter while sleeping.

Don't be surprised if it happens to the other arm..