Wasting triceps & pectoral, loss of strength

[MarkUp]

It was great to find this thread. I have the exact story many of you have told. Terrible pain in the right back/shoulder that went away in a week and then a rapid loss of strength in the right tricep, lat and pec. Bench press went from 300lbs. ten reps to 120lbs. 3 reps. Could no longer do any dips, but full strength in both arms with curls.

Had PT for 5 weeks that helped alot. MRI, EMG, Orth exam and neurologist. Slight bulge in C7. Had a ful shot two week before initial symptoms.

Problem began in January and it is 6 months since then. Still have atrophy in right pec, long tricep and right lat, but strength is returning. No reaccurance of pain. I no longer do any behind the neck excersies and haven't done any bench press in the last 6 months (Too embarassing at the gym). I do dumbell work out instead.

Been lifting for the last 34 years, so I wasn't going to stop now. Never a sick day in my life and no injuries. (Been very fortunate) In the gym 5 days a week. It is frustrating as the right side is still weaker, but I am seeing slow improvements. I use Creatine Monohydrate and that seems to help (I see a difference if I stop using it for more than three days).

I really believe I will get my full strength back and the atrophy is diminishing, but I am realistic and believe this is probably a two year journey.

My doctor agreed that its probably a combination of C7 and possibly Parsonage Turner Syndrome. He stated that he is seeing alot more of this type of problem over the last 18 months. If I had to bet...it was the flu shot. Next year I choose the flu instead of the shot.

One good note...my Doctor put me on Predisone for two weeks at the beginning when the pain started. It turns out that studies show that if you introduce Predisone at the first signs of Parsonage Turner Syndrome it lessens the severity of strength loss and atrophy and time it takes to recover is reduced...I hope that is the case with me.

Just thought I write in and give encouragement. It seems to happen to alot of people and if persistent it will get better.

[volleypolly]

I am glad I found this forum. I have a similar problem and it is getting me soooo frustrated. I suffered an upper back injury while doing a rowing exercise...it felt like a short pinch / crunch on my left rhomboid. What followed was an intense pain that went from the injured area down to my left forearm. That was then followed by a tingling sensation across my left arm and down to my index finger. This lasted for about 3 months during which I never went to the doctor mostly because, aside from the pain, I didn't notice any loss of strength (and yes...being stubborn I never listed to my wife's advice to visit a doctor : ) Then I got a back massage and that is when the real problems started. The day after the massage my upper back (left side), left shoulder, and left forearm started aching and, although the pain lasted for no more than a couple of days, I started experiencing a substantial loss in strength (more or less 40% loss) in my left tricep and left pectoral muscle (upper part). Four months after the day of the injury I still feel rather weak (...still not listening to my wife...I refuse to go to the doctor...poor wife : ) Now all pain is mostly gone with the exception of a tingling sensation I still experience on my index finger every now and then. I am 36 and about 220 and still exercising regularly. I hope to recover soon from this, but I will definitively change the way I train from now on...less weight, more reps. As a general advise, what would you recommend to facilitate the healing of the neurological system? Someone before said vitamin B (B12, B complex, other?). Anything else? Also, do you have any experience with electro-stimulation therapy (EST)? I have been thinking about buying an EST device for a long time (Compex seems to be a good brand). Any other supplement you would recommend? Thanks in advance for your help. Good luck everyone!