Nerve damage

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

you might have a pinched nerve at the elbow.

i had a pinched nerve in my back once, the pain was incredible, people thought it was having a heart attack , it took two blokes, one under each arm and they dragged me to the car for the hospital. i basically fixed itself.

Its more like if you have slept on your hand but it doesn't normal out and there isn't pins and needles or any pain. It's early days and I'm giving the professionals the chance to do their profession on the matter.

[.:4:.]

Day 4 and still no improvement. However the list of things I can't do is slowly shrinking, and the list of things I'm learning to do is growing, I find that the days just draw out and whilst I feel fine, I just get bored. Day time meal choice is interesting. I would kill to get ribs from the local for lunch, but can't expect family to take time off for me, and I'm not asking the chef to cut it up for me. Meat pies and sandwiches etc are what I'm limited to, but if things decide to escape the pastry, I get there to counter with flop, and I still make a meal of it. It's kind of like if there is a house fire and the fire truck gets there in record time but don't have any hoses or a water source. 5 points for effort, but it still ends in disaster. Thinking of buying a slot car to pass the time at the local track. Can't decide on shell rs500 or peter jackson el. If there was greens tuff, it would be the weapon of choice.

[ScotchanDry]

My surgery was put off until l after Easter, have loss of movement left arm and pins and needles, fingers, they are going to replace 3 discs in my neck with plastic wedges and titanium brace screwed to 4 vertebrae. Have 2 worn out discs and 1 compressing my spinal cord that is in the serious category. Been told I won't be walking if left longer. So my advice is get a MRI done anyway and see a neurologist, if I had seen a chiropractor and he manipulated my neck I would be in a wheelchair now. Spent far too much time seeking acupuncture and other treatments because of peer pressure. Good luck and Cheers

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

My surgery was put off until l after Easter, have loss of movement left arm and pins and needles, fingers, they are going to replace 3 discs in my neck with plastic wedges and titanium brace screwed to 4 vertebrae. Have 2 worn out discs and 1 compressing my spinal cord that is in the serious category. Been told I won't be walking if left longer. So my advice is get a MRI done anyway and see a neurologist, if I had seen a chiropractor and he manipulated my neck I would be in a wheelchair now. Spent far too much time seeking acupuncture and other treatments because of peer pressure. Good luck and Cheers

I genuinely do not envy your situation, and for your sake hope your medical people are at the top of their games. You appear to be walking the tight rope over the canyon of disability. I'm simply trying not to get to the point of frustration in a situation that so far from what I understand is temporary. Now because I'm getting my head around it to a degree I'll try for an appointment tomorrow to pick my gp's brain harder then my son and his nose to get things in motion (yes, pun intended)

[.:4:.]

Got another opinion from another doctor today, and so far I've heard the same diagnosis from 5 doctors so I'll take a punt and beleive it's the radial nerve. Got a referral to a neurologist but the closest slot is in may. I'm probably looking at a month or more off work which isn't ideal.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

My surgery was put off until l after Easter, have loss of movement left arm and pins and needles, fingers, they are going to replace 3 discs in my neck with plastic wedges and titanium brace screwed to 4 vertebrae. Have 2 worn out discs and 1 compressing my spinal cord that is in the serious category. Been told I won't be walking if left longer. So my advice is get a MRI done anyway and see a neurologist, if I had seen a chiropractor and he manipulated my neck I would be in a wheelchair now. Spent far too much time seeking acupuncture and other treatments because of peer pressure. Good luck and Cheers

Far too many fall into this trap, and I was one of those.

There is so much snake oil being sold out there it's not funny and quite frankly I believe these people should be prosecuted.

I have a hospital acquired superbug and the amount of people I've had tell me they have a cure for MRSA - you just need to buy a bottle of this and that.

My reply...Oh yeah well how come you're not a billionaire and won the Nobel Prize? Cos nobody on this earth has worked out how to kill it yet.

If I can give any advice, ask a lot of questions about the chance of infection, that's serious surgery. Best of luck with it mate.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Got a referral to a neurologist but the closest slot is in may.

Hunt around.

There's nothing to stop you ringing other specialists, finding one that has a sooner appt, booking it and then getting an updated referral from your GP.

If specialist's receptionist asks if you have a referral, say "yes" so they'll confirm appt and then chase it up with your doc.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ronwest

Hunt around.

There's nothing to stop you ringing other specialists, finding one that has a sooner appt, booking it and then getting an updated referral from your GP.

If specialist's receptionist asks if you have a referral, say "yes" so they'll confirm appt and then chase it up with your doc.

Bacause it effects my income the current place will inform me of any earlier cancelations. I'm most certainly going to shop around. Problem is, that with testing they can only tell me how bad the damage is, but cannot fix it. Not really super confidence boosting, but it is what it is. I don't think it could possible that be that bad considering I have complete feel in my fingers and wrist, just can't make them work.

[Pedro]

Doesn't sound like Peripheral Neuropathy, that I'm afflicted with, but have a read through this and see if any symptoms seem familiar.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-c...s/dxc-20204947

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Bacause it effects my income the current place will inform me of any earlier cancelations.

They'll put you on a list but they won't know who to prioritise. Did they ask you to email your referral in?

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Problem is, that with testing they can only tell me how bad the damage is, but cannot fix it

Do you know what's caused the damage? I had the notion that the cause was a mystery at this stage.

Originally Posted by .:4:.

I'm most certainly going to shop around.

You might also ask your GP to ring specialist and ask for a more timely appt for you.

[.:4:.]

Only because my preferred gp is on holidays, I went to the near by medical centre where the neurologist is in house, so yes, the referral was sent internally. I also have have a paper copy so I can shop around. I do know exactly how I did it. And when aswell. Never had any pain though, and still have a full sense of touch in my hand and fingers.

[.:4:.]

Found out an interesting thing from a random call from my aunty. My dad and his 3 sisters all had 1 left handed child. Shane, troy, Danielle and myself. Problem is I'm currently no handed.

[.:4:.]

Every day seems like it's groundhog day. 20 to 5 is when I get up. Only to stay current.

[.:4:.]

Still no improvement. Today I fielded a few work calls on the work mobile (my brain still works so I don't mind consulting), then with the brace off had a snooze. Woke up with the claw. The brace makes things sweaty but man, the muscles my brain can't make move hurt. I worked it out and am not doing that again. Untill things work again of course

[.:4:.]

After an elongated and stupid conversation about El nacho libre, my older brother and I set out for slot car time. 15$ a head per hour whatever. $5 an hour car hire... I was in buying mode. The 67 Moffat mercury cougar I bought for him cost more then the 89 thooeys 1000 winning johnson/bowe car I chose. Scalextric don't make a bf2 ghia. Some competition may or may not have made for a good time. I don't care what he thinks, I was faster. Tomorrow after I go for a meeting I might get some decent tyres, and maybe a new motor and gear set. 1 hour track time and I'm bored

[.:4:.]

So I had my meeting with my director. Nothing major, just a heads up on minor changes in management but nothing that will affect me. I had down played the hand issue a tad, and he had previously thought I may have been talking it up. Turns out I was being honest then we went to lunch. I let him know what action I have taken and next month I have a specialist appointment (closest date available). I get a phone call this morning. My boss pulled a few strings and booked me in for a neurologist next Tuesday. He didn't have to do that. I appreciate it greatly, but he didn't have to do that. He's also paying for the consult which I'm a little uncomfortable with.

[.:4:.]

Had my appointment with the fancy expensive specialist. I had my hopes up that he would have a different opinion and a course of action. Nope. All previous diagnosis (all the same) are correct so he said. Bummer. Anyhow, he called a medical buddy and lined up an appointment for me tomorrow for never conduction studies. He jumped a 2 month wait for me the legend. This won't fix anything, but will identify where the problem is and how bad it is. The drive home sucked. Having the views of a 7 year old passenger brought up the mood. So I bought him a slot car and we hit the track. Slot cars are something I can do with 1 hand..

[.:4:.]

Minor win. Driving home, to pass the time that's involved with traffic in sydney, my son was playing with my wrist brace and fell asleep wearing it. After an hour or so shifting gears constantly (I wish the ute was an auto, but it's not) I had a short massive pain in my arm and now I have very minor movement in my wrist. Finally progress. I would have preferred my fingers start to work, but I can't complain.

[ScotchanDry]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Minor win. Driving home, to pass the time that's involved with traffic in sydney, my son was playing with my wrist brace and fell asleep wearing it. After an hour or so shifting gears constantly (I wish the ute was an auto, but it's not) I had a short massive pain in my arm and now I have very minor movement in my wrist. Finally progress. I would have preferred my fingers start to work, but I can't complain.

That's positive, don't push it, talk to your physio about how much you should be doing... Cheers

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

That's positive, don't push it, talk to your physio about how much you should be doing... Cheers

I'm talking very minor movement, nothing remotely useful, but an improvement non the less.

[.:4:.]

Its bad that this was exciting. I got to drive an auto today! My daily is a troublesome manual ranger. My brother came around in my 08 ghia because we were gong visiting. He bought his cat for the ride. He borrowed my car a few years back (I won't get into why) so I jumped on the chance to drive it. So much nicer with 1 hand. I limit my trips in the ranger because it doesn't take long to grow tiring shifting with a flaccid wrist and useless hand. It's like ford designed a car (ghia I'm talking) for lazy overweight people who only want to use 1 hand to drive because 2 hands make it tiring.

[.:4:.]

Had the nerve conduction study done today. The electric shock business wasn't bad (better then a fork in a toaster) the needle bit was uncomfortable. The nerve is fine. Similar (better to be honest) to the right arm. It just doesn't work. No follow up required. If it's not working in a month book it in. Not happy but it's out of my hand.

[.:4:.]

Its only been almost 5 weeks off work, but tomorrow I have a bit of running around to do for work so that's exciting. Hand still doesnt work but I'll make the best of it. Finally, something to do.

[ScotchanDry]

My neck Surgery to remove 3 discs (one compressing the spinal cord) is this Thursday the 11th. I will post asap the results, be off work for 6 to 8 weeks they think.
see ya later, Cheers...

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

My neck Surgery to remove 3 discs (one compressing the spinal cord) is this Thursday the 11th. I will post asap the results, be off work for 6 to 8 weeks they think.
see ya later, Cheers...

I wish you the best mate. It doesn't sound like a pleasant procedure. I hope you have a speedy recovery and end up with a good result.

[.:4:.]

Going to try and get a light duties medical clearance tomorrow. Since Tuesday I have regained the majority of movement in my fingers. Not 100% but it's use able. The hurdle will be if my employer accepts it because my position doesn't really have light duties. 6 weeks of being off work and being unable to do alot of basic tasks has been driving me nuts so I'm actually excited to get back to work. As strange as that sounds. I just hope there are enough easy jobs to come back.

[ScotchanDry]

Had surgery on the 11th was 4 hours on the table spent two unbearable nights in hospital. Basically checked myself out Saturday, spent nearly 5 hours wife driving me home in the Sprint, trying to hold my head still damm that racing suspension, still no one passed us... Cheers.. (6 weeks rest now no income no driving, no lifting over 1kg ) double Cheers..

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by ScotchanDry

Had surgery on the 11th was 4 hours on the table spent two unbearable nights in hospital. Basically checked myself out Saturday, spent nearly 5 hours wife driving me home in the Sprint, trying to hold my head still damm that racing suspension, still no one passed us... Cheers.. (6 weeks rest now no income no driving, no lifting over 1kg ) double Cheers..

Mate just take it easy and trust the medical advise. I go back to work after 6 weeks tomorrow. No I don't have any useful function in my left hand but it's something. Early on in the piece I got frustrated and bored being single handed so I did some thinking about something to do. Rebuilding the front shocks on my rc car was out of the question as I couldn't even drive it if I managed to do the shocks. I found the single handed operation of slot cars to pass time at the local track. My brother got a car for his down time during the week and I bought my son one for the weekends. It was something I was able to do. Unless you have a manageable hobby for the time being, I recommend to find one to pass the time. 6 weeks feels like forever.

[.:4:.]

It was good getting back to work. Difficult, but good. First job was doing an audit which is the best part of thinking, simple. After writing half a page of notes skeleton hand was killing me because the useful muscles are mostly gone. My hand writing is probably the neatest it's ever been ironically considering I have not held a pen for 6 weeks. Next job was consulting a consultant so whatever, then I changed a light. That was still a 2 minute job but it was awkward when you instinctively go to do something and it doesn't happen. I get an apprentice tomorrow so hopefully I can get back into real jobs and he can do the fiddly 2 hands using fingers tasks and I can just point and yell.

[.:4:.]

Regardless of ability, being back around people has been awesome. All challenges aside I have lived the with the problems I have had to overcome and made the issues that are work nothing more then speed bumps. Right, my dominant left hand still doesnt work, but I have learnt to make things happen. Motivation.