Well after twenty something years of drumming,and finding proper technique so I can play for at least twenty more,I figured I wouldnt have any problems with my arm/wrists and hands.
Just over a week ago I noticed that my left hand was feeling quite numb. Not the whole hand,just the ring finger,pinky side. The numbness is also affecting that side of my arm,tricep,bicep into the shoulder and now part of the back. At first I was thinking C.T.S.but when I realized it was just part of the hand and into the left side of my body,I started thinking I was one of those guys who had a mild stroke without knowing it.
I went to my doctor,after a few tests he told me its called Ulnar Neuropathy.Well I did some research and found alot of Medical jargon.Dammit Jim ,I`m a drummer ,not a doctor.
 Just wanted to see if anyone here has encountered this,and if so what has happened.What brought it on?

This is the situation.The last time I saw my doctor I was sent to another doctor,then another doctor,then one more doctor. This was for chronic back pain.To make a very long and aggravating story as short as possible,it took almost a year for these "professionals" to decide an MRI would be a good idea.Wow,that was my thought from the begining.It seemed that all was happening is every doctor in my county was getting insurance money from my case,but no progress was being made.Share the wealth,kind of like lawyers,you dont keep the bucks rolling in if you settle a case. I felt like a cash cow! It turned out I have Arthritis in the back,two protruding discs,and Degenerative disc disease in six discs.
 Maybe you read my post about getting hooked on pain killers in the time it took them to figure out what was wrong. It seems that alot of doctors think that drugs are the end all.
I dont have much faith in the medical field since my last experience.   I chose my own direction of action,alternatives. I went to a pain management center,epidoral injections in the spine,wow now I can live again.
I figured if someone here had some experience with this particular ailment,I could save some time and going from doctor to doctor. Have a general idea of what should be the natural order to treat it.
If you have never been through the doctor mill ,and the time wasted on useless visits you would not understand the aggravation this causes.But I understand why you say ask your doctor,I have,and just like last time,its the runaround.
Hope you can understand where I am coming from.

Thanks Puppy,I am getting the tests done.  Also a T- spine MRI.
From whats going on it seems to definately be the Ulnar nerve. Which for anyone who is not familiar with just what it is,if you ever hit your" funny bone"in your elbow,that feeling you get,thats what its like, constantly.
I think the insurance/doctor,lets see how long we can drag this out thing is what bothers me most.
Thanks for the reply guys/gal.

Good luck Drumodad.  I know how frustrating this can be.  I have <am> experienced <experiencing> this.  All I can say is to definitely get a few different opinions before you consider surgery.  I saw 8 different hand specialists/neurologists/orthopedic doctors, all with excellent credentials, who gave me varying diagnosis.  Different hand conditions/symptoms can be very similar to each other.  That's why it is sooo important to have a couple of EMGs done---even those results varied!  While I have the ulnar neuropathy, I also had CTS, so decided to deal with that first.

What my doctor recommended was wearing elbow splints at night ("Use of an elbow splint at night will keep the elbow from being bent during sleep. A pad around the elbow during the day will protect the nerve from trauma. Splint and elbow pads are usually custom made by a hand or physical therapist....")

As far as what brought mine on, let me see, piano?  boxing? < >, drumming?  computers?  I know that this type of injury is especially common in guitar players.  One doctor said that the way I was sleeping <on my stomach/side with my arm(s) straight up> could influence this...

Anyway, due to my neuropathies < >, I can't type too much, but if you want to talk about this more, drop me a pm, and I'll be happy to write you in short, intermittent doses!

But, please, have at least 2 EMGs  <by different neurologists.>
Very important!

Keep us posted!

Ok,so it seems that there is a tendon in the elbow that is putting pressure on the nerve. The neurologist said to wear the brace,give it a month and see if time will help it. He said that if that doesnt do the trick then we will just simply remove the tendon. He said we really dont need it. What! I am really not buying the dont need a part that is there for a reason. Well I guess its time to find another opinion.  
I`m thinking of having my brain removed later this year,I really dont need it either. Can you believe this.
It reconfirms my feelings that I have expressed in previous posts.

You may be right there Moose.  The default position thing.
I dont think that I know better or more than the guys/ladies with the degrees. But I am going to get more than one opinion. Then if the general concensus is for removal of the Tendon,so be it. I`m hoping its just one of those things that will heal in time.
 I  just have not had a reaffirming experience in the past couple of years.
Thanks for your insight as all is appreciated ,be it good or bad,criticism is what makes us all better. I will be putting some thought into what you have to say.
 Thanks,Drumodad,not a Doctor

I hear your words Moose. Am doing research and making inquiries .  Thanks for your input.

Andru,thanks a ton for your input. Its good to know that drumming would not be out of the picture if surgery was to happen.
Still wearing a brace on being very careful not to aggrivate it anymore. I have to go back in a couple of weeks to see where I am .
It does seem to be some what better ,not constantly numb like at first. Then it was constant and totally numb. So maybe its getting better with time,man I hope so.

Congrat's Lucky you.  Nice when you get reply from such caring people.. Must have been all the prayer's

God bless