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What Causes Numbness In Arm Post Crystal Meth Usage?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2015
Question: I have a friend that tried to inject crystal meth into her armpit and now her arm is numb and wrist is bent.She said she missed the vein
What should she do Will it go away
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Brachial plexopathy

Detailed Answer:
By injecting the drug into the armpit she essentially caused toxicity to the brachial plexus which is the network of nerves (easily accessible through the armpit) responsible for moving the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. The wrist is bent because the nerves responsible for extending the hand at the wrist have been anesthesized (at the very least)...possible killed.

It may or may not go away. She should see a neurologist in order to see what else about the nerves in that shoulder have been affected. She also needs an EMG/NCV to see if there could be likely permanent damage although only time will really tell.

She also needs to be referred to a good solid drug rehab program before she kills herself the next time and not just a plexus of nerves.

I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your interesting question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback.

Also, if there are no other questions or comments, can I ask that you CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary?

Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you very quickly and continue this interesting discussion.

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation.
All the best.

The query has required a total of 7 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (11 minutes later)
If the nerve has keen killed then this is permanent correct
Will massaging the armpit help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I cannot prognosticate your friend

Detailed Answer:
"nerve killed" is a little strong to say at this time....but it is a possibility. I cannot know if that automatically means that there can be no regeneration. More times than not some function returns....sometimes fully, sometimes less, sometimes none. My crystal ball is in the shop for repairs these days....so honestly, I cannot prognosticate your friend's future....except that injecting anything that toxic right on top of something the brachial plexus is just not a good idea....would you agree? Massaging won't HURT but I can't say that it will clearly help....I tell patients to generally do things that feel good or at the very least have no down sides......of course, by "feel good" please don't misinterpret that to mean that I'm advocating the use of illegal drugs or procedures for any reason. I'm sure "your friend" will be sent for some type of rehab. Hope your friend gets better. It mean a lot to me to know that YOUR FRIEND learned or understood that they likely dodged a bullet which could've killed them almost instantly by it going into the armpit and not make it into systemic circulation.

I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your interesting question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback.

Also, if there are no other questions or comments, can I ask that you CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary?

Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you very quickly and continue this interesting discussion.

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation.
All the best.

The query has required a total of 16 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Arm Post Crystal Meth Usage?

Brief Answer: Brachial plexopathy Detailed Answer: By injecting the drug into the armpit she essentially caused toxicity to the brachial plexus which is the network of nerves (easily accessible through the armpit) responsible for moving the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. The wrist is bent because the nerves responsible for extending the hand at the wrist have been anesthesized (at the very least)...possible killed. It may or may not go away. She should see a neurologist in order to see what else about the nerves in that shoulder have been affected. She also needs an EMG/NCV to see if there could be likely permanent damage although only time will really tell. She also needs to be referred to a good solid drug rehab program before she kills herself the next time and not just a plexus of nerves. I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your interesting question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback. Also, if there are no other questions or comments, can I ask that you CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary? Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you very quickly and continue this interesting discussion. Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation. All the best. The query has required a total of 7 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.