It all started back on December 19th, I woke around 5am to use the restroom. Sharp pain in my neck while got out of bed. I couldn’t move my neck for about two full days. I finally was able to move my neck on the third day, although still very painful. About a week passed and the mobility in my neck was better, but I was still experiencing pain. To make matters worse, I developed new symptoms. My pinky and ring fingers had gone completely numb, as well the half of my hand (side that the pinky and ring finger are located).

I decided to go to my primary care doctor after numbness and pain hadn’t subsided. Doctor stated it could be Ulnar nerve entrapment of the elbow and/or Cubital tunnel syndrome. Referred me to a Neurologist. Did a video consultation since COVID is just ruining lives in multiple levels. Neurologist ordered an MRI of the C-spine. Now I’m playing the waiting game, mind you, I have Medical and Blue Shield (San Diego, CA resident).

I’m worried about my college courses though, I cannot write or type with my dominant hand. I’m a math major so taking notes & exams, doing homework all require me to write and work out problems. I’ve tried typing with my left hand only since my right hand is completely useless. I can write maybe a few words or numbers/characters before the pain is too much to bare. So writing is thrown out as an option, typing is just as bad. Typing out problems on google doc is tedious, I finally finished our first homework assignment and it took me two weeks to complete...I still have homework for two other courses to do...

Disability Services is aware of my situation, but I’m feeling more and more useless and it’s getting hard to find the motivation to even try and learn the material because I cannot work out any problems by hand...

I really don’t know what to do and my solution to keeping my sanity is withdrawing from my courses this semester. It’s been really hard to not feel bad for myself the past couple months.

Has anyone else had to withdraw from courses or had to leave work because of their symptoms and pain???