update

[Guest guest]

Oh ...I truly feel for you.  Just when you think you have things together,

something happens to upset the apple cart.  I will be thinking of you.  If it's

any help, a hug and a mocha is coming your way.  And how about a nice spot in a

chair in front of a cozy fireplace to chase away all the gloom while you sip on

that mocha??

 

________________________________

From: " lkozlik@... " <lkozlik@...>

Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:45:44 PM

Subject: Update

Hi everyone,

I called my GP to ask her if I could resume PT for my CTS (carpal tunnel

syndrome). She said I could, but also stressed the fact that I need surgery for

both hands to avoid losing complete function. I was surprised by this because I

only have mild to moderate CTS in my right hand while the left hand is

considered severe. As of now, my left hand is 70% weaker than my right.

She was very concerned -- so concerned that she recommended I have an EMG done

and see a hand surgeon ASAP.

I have to admit that I'm worried about having surgery for several reasons.

My number one concern is the possibility of anesthesia causing a manic episode.

The last 2 times I had surgery, I ended up having a severe manic/psychotic

episode in which I heard voices, was delusional and extremely paranoid. I don't

want to land in the hospital again for 5 weeks due to mania and psychosis.

I also worry about losing complete use of my hands if something goes wrong

during surgery. I'm left handed, I use my hands more than the average person

given the fact that I'm totally blind and I read Braille. Also, if my CIs

stopped working for some reason, I'd have no other way to communicate.

Anyways, I need to give this further thought.

I'm frustrated as well because my GP gave me a prescription for Topiramate to

help reduce my migraines. She told me it's less potent than Topamax and if it

doesn't give me any relief, we could go back to 200mg of Topamax.

I'm tired of riding the med-go-round. I want off and I want off now.

Needless to say, I'm feeling rather overwhelmed given my edema, possible sleep

apnea, migraines, CTS and bipolar.

I just needed to vent. Hope that's okay.

, who could use a mocha right now

[Guest guest]

and my favorite Dolly Dolphin,

I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist and ask him what I can expect from local

anesthesia. I think I'll feel alot better knowing there is no risk of mania from

someone who would know.

Part of me wonders if my GP isn't trying to push surgery on me. I don't

understand why I need surgery for my right hand if the CTS is considered mild to

moderate.

Then again, she's probably thinking of my best interest given the fact that I do

use my hands more often than someone who can see.

If my psychiatrist tells me I have nothing to worry about in regards to

anesthesia and the hand surgeon can assure me that recovery won't take very

long, I'll go ahead and proceed with surgery.

Besides, I could always have surgery on my left hand now and the right hand done

later.

, who is very happy about being given 2 mochas

[Guest guest]

- When you mentioned about the GP talking about surgery, it made me

remember what my CI audiologist said to me when I saw her last February.  When I

first got there, she had me explain what I've been hearing, etc.  After I was

done, she said, well, , you may not want to hear what I have to say.  You

may want to consider having a cochlear implant in your hearing aid ear.  I

responded with, well, I know that may be something I will want to do in

the future, but I honestly don't think I would qualify for the surgery.  She

then pulled down my records, looked at my last audiogram with the HA ear, and

said, yes, you are right, you probably do not qualify yet.  And I was thinking,

be careful what you say until you are familiar with my file. 

Anyway, my other thought is this, since you are now well versed in all that

you've been through with your bipolar, and how you reacted when you had

surgery before, I'm sure this information will go in your file, and you will be

making sure your doctor is aware of the complications you've had in the past. 

They will do all they can to prevent these things from happening when you have

anesthesia in the future..  This is what I do when I know I'm going to have

anesthesia.  They have to address my nausea issue.  I will not tolerate another

surgery where I am so sick afterwards, so I'm always making sure everyone is

aware that I need help in that regard.

Best of luck to you .  You are very smart, and I think you've got the right

plan of action.  And as a reward, here's another strawberry mocha for you. 

THINK SPRING!!  [bTW, is it cloudy and rainy where you are at?  It is here, and

it is affecting my mood I want to go curl up in front of a fireplace with a

quilt, a good book, and a hot toddy.]

 

________________________________

From: " lkozlik@... " <lkozlik@...>

Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:49:27 PM

Subject: Re: Update

and my favorite Dolly Dolphin,

I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist and ask him what I can expect from local

anesthesia. I think I'll feel alot better knowing there is no risk of mania from

someone who would know.

Part of me wonders if my GP isn't trying to push surgery on me. I don't

understand why I need surgery for my right hand if the CTS is considered mild to

moderate.

Then again, she's probably thinking of my best interest given the fact that I do

use my hands more often than someone who can see.

If my psychiatrist tells me I have nothing to worry about in regards to

anesthesia and the hand surgeon can assure me that recovery won't take very

long, I'll go ahead and proceed with surgery.

Besides, I could always have surgery on my left hand now and the right hand done

later.

, who is very happy about being given 2 mochas

[Guest guest]

,

I may ask my psychiatrist if he can raise my mood stabilizer (which is designed

to prevent mania) a little just to be on the safe side.

I'm glad you mentioned your experiences with nausea because I didn't even factor

that into the equation. I also have problems with nausea. Before both of my CI

surgeries I was given anti-nausea meds and didn't have any difficulty as a

result.

What I think I'm going to do is talk to the hand surgeon for starters. Once I

know what I can expect in regards to surgery and recovery, I'll be in a better

position to decide whether or not this is something I want to do. If it is, I

can do one hand at a time. My right hand isn't in a great deal of pain and I'm

still able to use it pretty well.

Besides, I'm getting tired of hearing my GP nag me constantly about having the

surgery. I might as well do it once and for all. LOL!

[Guest guest]

, perhaps you could also talk (or have your psychiatrist or specialist

....or both...talk) to the antethologist (not spelled right - but, spell

check has no idea what word I'm trying for here). I believe you will know.

There are so many different things they can select to use according to a

patient's needs. Hopefully they can come up with something that won't have

a danger of having the same effect on you that you experienced in the past.

I don't blame you for being apprehensive about the possibility of going

thru all that again! Sheez! Who needs all those complications?!?!!!

Yes, you could get the worse one done first (assuming they can give a

local or guarantee no side effects on another drug)....but, can they do

that????? THAT is the BIG question isn't it?

Just try to hold off on worries about it all until you get more facts and

learn about options. I know....easier said than done - but, point I'm

trying to make is to not borrow more fears. They should all work with you to

get positive results for you in all respects. If not, they're the wrong

doctors for you! Wishing you the best.

Evon/OKC

**************Big savings on Dell XPS Laptops and

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[Guest guest]

,

Get a 2nd opinion. You are right to be concerned about this. You need

your hands.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in

binoculars to look at things on the ground?

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Wow Dolly Dolphin knows just what needs. Dolly, you have such a

knack. You are indeed wonderful.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in

binoculars to look at things on the ground?

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Wow, ! I sure hope you don't need surgery. I know you always run into

complications. As far as the surgery itself, I did have it on one wrist

and it was totally successful. It was not at all painful. If you do needs to

do it - do it one at a time. Prauyers it doesnt come to that! <hugs>

Jackie

**************Big savings on Dell XPS Laptops and

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[Guest guest]

,

My GP thinks I need CTS surgery on my right hand even though the CTS is only

mild to moderate. Part of me thinks she's trying to push surgery. I don't even

think a hand surgeon will operate unless your case of CTS is severe.

On another note, I heard from my audi. She said Cochlear mailed refurbished 3Gs

to me on 10/29/08 and 9/2/08.

I've looked everywhere, but can't find them and it's frustrating me to no end.

[Guest guest]

,

Feeling pushed is a very time to seek that second opinion. But you did

say you will meet with the hand surgeon? That will be a great time to lay

this issue to rest.

And good you found the missing 3G's!

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you

were buried in for eternity?

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

,

You're right. I don't have to commit myself to surgery just because I see the

hand surgeon. I'm going to talk to him as well as my psychiatrist before I make

up my mind one way or the other.

As for my 3Gs, I'm *so* glad I found them! I know *something* out of the

ordinary had to have happened because I always keep my CI accessories in the

same place.

[Guest guest]

Exactly, . No committment, just ask questions and dont sign

anything. LOL I am kind of surprised your GP is pushing for surgery. I'd

think the specialists should be the ones who get to push if at all.

And your situation reminds me I must work on organizing my life. Not so

easy!

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know

what you are talking about.

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

,

My GP has been pushing surgery for both hands ever since the day she diagnosed

me with CTS. She also wanted me to see a neurologist, but I kept putting it off

because I wanted to try PT first. I actually did well in PT and my therapist

told me I gained some hand strength after only 2 weeks of exercises. My GP is of

the opinion that while PT may work for awhile, I'll eventually lose all function

in my hands. The other thing I worry about is that I've read CTS surgery doesn't

always eliminate symptoms. I don't want to go through surgery only to have my

symptoms come back. Besides, they say that people should stop doing the things

that caused CTS symptoms in the first place. I can't do that. 99% of my CTS

symptoms are due to typing on the computer and using a Perkins.

[Guest guest]

,

I am reminded of a story I heard many years ago. A man was suffering

from bad back pain and went to many doctors to find relief. After 2 years

he thought he was going to need surgery so he went to the back surgeon as a

last resrot. Now this is what really got my attention. The surgeon, rather

than take a case that would get him more money, he simply told the man, get

off your butt and start walking. And indeed, once the man got over the

shock, got off his butt and started walking. That was all he needed.

And I can tell yuh from personal experience, it really does work. But I

am surprised this poor fella was given the run around for 2 years.

So I hope you will get the definitive answers that work for you.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

& Dreamer Doll ke7nwn

E-mail-

rclark0276@...

Home Page-

http://webpages.charter.net/dog_guide/

[Guest guest]

Evon,

Thanks for your post! I agree that I should wait until I know exactly what I'm

dealing with before panicking. I guess the reason why I'm worried now is because

I don't want a repeat performance of the last manic/psychotic episode I had in

2006. It was the worst experience of my life. Another person I know who has

bipolar reassured me that since local anethesia is used for CTS surgery, there

should be no chance of me becoming manic. Still I'd feel better if I could talk

to my psychiatrist and better yet -- the anesthesiologist.

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

When you had surgery, did you experience any pain? Also, did you need an EMG? If

so, did it hurt? The reason I ask is because I've had acupuncture on my left

hand years ago (per the recommendation of my neurologist at the time) and it was

very painful. I also had 2 cortizone shots on that hand which were equally

painful.

How long did it take before you were able to use your hand again?

Do you still need to wear wrist splints? My GP and physical therapist told me I

need to wear wrist splints on both hands 24/7, but I'm hoping if I do have

surgery that I will no longer need them.

One final question: Were you given meds to put you into twilight sleep? If you

were, what does that feel like? Are you totally unaware of your surroundings or

do you just feel dazed, confused and " out of it? "

[Guest guest]

,

A friend had local surgery for her CT because she did not want to risk her

vision with the more involved surgery. She said she was aware of what was

happening, & she could feel them working on her wrist, but no pain during

it.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your post. Did she have any pain following surgery? If so, how much

pain was she in?

Someone on a CTS message board told me they were able to return to work 24 hours

after surgery and use the computer.

[Guest guest]

Still I'd feel better if I could talk to my psychiatrist and better yet --

the anesthesiologist.

See, I " knew " you'd figure my horrid spelling out!

I do very well understand when you experience something gosh awful, you

sure as he__ do NOT want to go through it all in a repeat performance!

Some few years back, I ask for & got a prescription to help me in a quit

smoking effort. Well, I took ONE and only one of the pills prescribed and

thought it was going to kill me. It raised my blood pressure to stroke

levels and this was a time-released capsule ... so, it went on for 16 hours.

It started 30 minutes after I took it. Blood pressure soaring and shakes

for like 30 minutes at a time and then a 10 min break and here we go again

with the shakes and blood pressure soaring. I called the doctor who

prescribed the medicine after the first bout and all I got was, " lay down and

try

to sleep " . Yeah, right. Try to sleep when you're feeling like a blender.

It is scary what some medicine can do to a person yet be wonderful for

others. What a mystery that is.

It sounds good though for you in the fact that I see others have reported

that this surgery is done without putting you under.

If you don't know what was used on you when you had your bad experience,

you sure need to find that info out so you can ALWAYS make it a no-no on

your medical information when you see any doctor. Of course, I'm sure you

already know that. Just putting it in here in thinking of your future safety

precautions.

Wishing you good health and fast mendings.

Evon/OKC

**************Big savings on Dell XPS Laptops and

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[Guest guest]

,

I believe she had pain meds to take. Her recovery was slow, but she is about

twice your age.

[Guest guest]

Hi, - I honestly didn't have pain with my surgery. I had physical

therapy starting a few weeks later, and stopped after just a few weeks as I

truely didn't need it. I healed quickly and easily. I didn't need to wear

wrist bands after the surgery. You can - for extra support - but mostly when

doing things like typing or other activity that uses those muscles -

certainly not 24/7. I don't think I had a general for that surgery - and have

had

" twilight " for other surgeries. I was totally OUT - didn't know a thing and

when you wake up - there is very little residual sleepiness or dazed

confusion. You are on your way in no time. I'm not sure what EMG is - but if

it's that test where they " prick " your skin along your arm and wrist - it's

really not that painful. I had acupuncture years ago to try to restore my

hearing and THAT hurt. This was much easier - though I won't say it didn't feel

like a stick. But it is so totally bearable. I' had a cortizone shot in

Dec and I can tell you THAT is the worst and none of the tests or acupuncture

feels like that - not even close! Hope this helps! Oh - and get your audi

to remap your three gee processors. That way you'll have it more up to

date with how you hear now - so it CAN serve you in an emergency. And -

write a note to yourself where you put them this time! <giggling> Jackie

<smiles>

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[Guest guest]

,

That's good to hear. I've scheduled my EMG. Once I have those results, I plan to

talk to the hand surgeon about specifics related to surgery.

[Guest guest]

Evon,

I'm very good about deciphering other people's spelling. LOL!

As for anesthesia, I asked my CI surgeon what kind was used. He said the same

kind was used for both surgeries which I found interesting given the fact that I

had more difficulty with feeling sleepy after my first surgery than the second.

Also, after the second surgery I had a severe manic episode whereas after the

first surgery, the manic episode I had was moderate in nature.

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I had 2 cortizone shots on my left hand and they hurt like you-know-what. I also

had acupuncture on the same hand and it hurt just as much if not more.

An EMG is short for electromyography. The purpose of an EMG is to determine the

level of nerve damage in the hands by stimulating them through electrical means.

I've heard that it's uncomforable, but not painful. Another person with severe

CTS told me that any sensation I experience from an EMG will ne minimal compared

to the pain I have due to CTS.

If I elect to have surgery, I may decide to continue wearing wrist splints while

cooking or typing on the computer just to be on the safe side.

When I train with my next guide dog, my GP and physical therapist recommend that

I have him or her trained to work on my right side given the severe CTS in my

left wrist. They also told me that even if I choose to have surgery, I should

continue to have all of my successor dogs trained on the right so that I can

avoid further development of CTS in my left hand.

[Guest guest]

,

If you walk on your hands, will it help Carpal Tunnel? LOL.

And I quite agree, surgery is NOT always the solution to a problem.

It should be a last resort, when all else has been tried.

I'd try a chiropractor, PT and a hand therapist (which is a sub

specialty of Occupational therapy) because CT surgery ofen does not work,

OR often needs to be done again. CT is caused when the area where the

muscles and ligaments go through the narrow part of the wrist (the carpal

tunnel). And if there is swelling or repetitive motion injury in the

area above the wrist, it will make that area swell, and will restrict the

movement through the carpal tunnel, and cause tingling, etc. So the

solution is to relieve the pressure above the carpal tunnel area, rather

than widening the carpal tunnel. Especially in the case of someone who

will continue using her hands in the same way.

Did love the thing about the guy being told to " walk " after being

given the " run around " for 2 years. Unintentional pun, I'm sure.

____________________________________________________________

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