Angel0627
06-06-2003, 06:02 PM
Hi, I am new to the board so bear with me. Well I will kinda make this short. I injured my hand at work 5 months ago..and I have seen 3 doctors (Othopedic, Hand Specialist, and Pain Management Dr.) and know one can give me a diagnois..and I am getting frustated. I am in pain from my wrist into my hand ..like as if my "funny bone" was being hit everytime I move my hand fast. The Othopedic dr. thought it was tenditnis and sent me to therapy..and that didnt work..and the hand specialist dr. says he want me to deal with the pain and sent me to the Pain Clinic. That is where I am currently.I still dont have a diagnois..the pain dr..did a block test and numb my whole arm from under my armpit..it got numb but as so as it wore off (15 minutes after I left the hospital) the pain was back. He also put me on Ultrcet for pain and that did nothing also. So now he wants me to go for a EMG and Nerve Conduction Test and gave me Neurontin 300mg a day. I just started this medicine so I am going to give it a try..hope it works. I guess my question is does a EMG or Nevre Conduction Test tell if you have nerve damage? Or are they just pulling at straws. I wish someone can tell me what I have. I was the one who push to see if it was nerve damage..Cause the MRI showed nothing and the X-ray showed nothing...and on top of things its a workmen comp. case and everything has to be approved and it takes days and weeks to get anything approved. I hope this test tell something. If anyone can help or has the same pain..I would love to hear from you.
Sponsor
NancyH
06-15-2003, 12:01 AM
The EMG and NCV tests give alot of information in regards to what is going on with the nerves! Majority of carpal tunnel cases are diagnosed using these 2 tests.
Angel0627
06-15-2003, 09:34 AM
Thanks for answering my question. The doctor says it is not carpal tunnel..from other test that I have had. I think he is looking for nerve damage. I will know in two weeks after the test. Wish me luck, and thanks again for responding. Maybe this test will be the one.
lilah
06-16-2003, 01:55 PM
The nerve conductivity test is definately the one which will tell you if there has been some nerve damage. I don't know if it also will show irritation or inflamation but these would be questions for you to ask your doctor. I do hope it turns out to just be some sort of inflamation that you can cure with rest rather than something more permanent. Good luck with the tests. I hope you get some answers you can be comfortable living with.
Angel0627
06-16-2003, 03:52 PM
Thanks Lilah, I just recieved a copy of the hand specialist diagnosis and he says it CRPS, Left Wrist/Hand. I hope it is not that..I read alot on it and it is pretty scary. Hopefully with the EMG results it will not be that. Wish me luck..I go on June 30th. Thanks for responding..Its nice to talk to someone while you wait.
Angel0627
06-16-2003, 03:52 PM
Thanks Lilah, I just recieved a copy of the hand specialist diagnosis and he says it CRPS, Left Wrist/Hand. I hope it is not that..I read alot on it and it is pretty scary. Hopefully with the EMG results it will not be that. Wish me luck..I go on June 30th. Thanks for responding..Its nice to talk to someone while you wait.
lilah
06-16-2003, 06:53 PM
hi again angel - what is CRPS ? i hadn't heard of those particular initials before.
Angel0627
06-17-2003, 09:44 AM
Hi Lilah,
CRPS is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is new to me also. I think it was called RSD which is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I have been researching all kinds of information on it and in some cases it is really serious and can spread to other parts of your body. I am hopeful that we caught it in its earliest stages and I will get the pain relief I need. Wish me Luck!
CRPS is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It is new to me also. I think it was called RSD which is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I have been researching all kinds of information on it and in some cases it is really serious and can spread to other parts of your body. I am hopeful that we caught it in its earliest stages and I will get the pain relief I need. Wish me Luck!
lilah
06-17-2003, 02:08 PM
Definately a HUGE GOOK LUCK - hopefully all these fancy diagnosis will boil down to - you injured your hand and it still isn't all well yet due to damage to the nerve during the injury. Don't give up hope just try to focus on the good stuff and no matter what the docs say it isn't up to them in the end what is wrong or how it heals or doesn't. They are only a middle guy in the way I see it and very human and therefore fallible.
Angel0627
06-17-2003, 03:04 PM
Thanks Lilah..Sometimes I think the doctors dont know what they are doing. Your right they are the middle man..its up to me to get well..or deal with the pain. To make matter worse..the workman compensation company is stopping my checks..cause they can after 180 days. I just saw a lawyer and he said not to worry..He will take care of the legal end and you take care of yourself. I hope he can help get my checks back..cause that is what I live on. It is a never ending battle both ways. But all I can do is prayer and ask God to help me thru this difficult time. Thank God I have a very supportive family. On a happy note...My daughter and daughter-in law are having babies. That is what I am focusing on and that helps alot. One is due in July the other in November. Just their healthy faces will be all I will need to make the pain go away. Thanks again for talking to me..it helps alot. Take care and I will keep you in my prayers too.
lilah
06-18-2003, 01:03 PM
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif BABIES - grandbabies are the best! How lucky you are to have 2 on the way now. Congradulations and I know that just holding those little :angel: :angel: angels will help you feel alot better. I have two grands (almost 3 and almost 1yrs old) and there is nothing as good. July isn't so far off so you will have that pain management technique hopefully very very soon!
Angel0627
06-18-2003, 01:53 PM
Lilah,
Yes babies are the best...before I got hurt at work my job was a Infant teacher in a Day Care I had 10 babies to look after a day. I was very busy and I loved all 10 of them. I miss them so., but I cannot lift them with my hand..I was always afraid that I would drop them. I got hurt protecting one of them from falling..but that is ok, cause he is fine and that was all that mattered. I have one grandson now and he is going to be 3 in Sept. and then the 2 on the way..so I will have a total of 3 grandchildren by Nov...I just hope i can hold them. I am working hard on getting this pain to stop. I would just die if I dropped any of the babies. Well it was nice hearing from you...you cheer me up when the house is so quiet. Thank you my friend.
Yes babies are the best...before I got hurt at work my job was a Infant teacher in a Day Care I had 10 babies to look after a day. I was very busy and I loved all 10 of them. I miss them so., but I cannot lift them with my hand..I was always afraid that I would drop them. I got hurt protecting one of them from falling..but that is ok, cause he is fine and that was all that mattered. I have one grandson now and he is going to be 3 in Sept. and then the 2 on the way..so I will have a total of 3 grandchildren by Nov...I just hope i can hold them. I am working hard on getting this pain to stop. I would just die if I dropped any of the babies. Well it was nice hearing from you...you cheer me up when the house is so quiet. Thank you my friend.
lilah
06-19-2003, 06:58 PM
Hi again :) I'm sure you will at least be able to hold them while you are sitting down. Its not like work where you have to do anything but cuddle and enjoy them. Glad if you got a smile cause hearing you did has put a big one on my face. It is the little things, when times are really rough, that can make all the difference in the world. We might not beable to fix anything but we can sure help eachohter get through it. Take care and keep me posted.
Angel0627
06-20-2003, 08:47 AM
Thank you Lilah you are a very sweet person..its nice knowing that you have friends that understand. Today my daughter finds out what she is having...I am so excited. I am hoping for a girl..but a boy is nice too. This is a happy day for me and our family. I will keep you posted. Thanks for being there, and hey send so warmth from arizona, massachusetts is in the 50's today. Where is all the sunshine..we need it bad. Take care Lilah, I will let you know the gender of the baby. Wish us luck that it is a healthy baby. Bye for now.
lilah
06-20-2003, 04:48 PM
:D babies :D Of course it will be halthy ~~! don't even allow any other thought - I'll hope for a girl for you too though boys are nice as well (i have 2 boys :) - Wouldn't mind at all sending you an extra 10 degrees or so it is starting to get a little too warm here in the afternoons.
Angel0627
06-21-2003, 11:17 AM
Hi Lilah,
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!! I will have a granddaughter in November and a Grandson in July. I am so happy!!! This nana is having her own day-care..LOL This makes all the pain go away for the time being. WE will have 3 angels by Christmas..WOW what a christmas that will be. Maybe by then my pain in my hand will not be there either. My daugher is so happy she will have a rich man's family just like me. God listened to me..I put my order in for a little girl, just like I did 25 years ago when I had my daughter...so I know he is up there and listening..so maybe he will answer all my prayer and help everyone on this board...including you lilah..thanks for being there..it is nice to share good news with a friend.
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!! HOORAY!!!!! I will have a granddaughter in November and a Grandson in July. I am so happy!!! This nana is having her own day-care..LOL This makes all the pain go away for the time being. WE will have 3 angels by Christmas..WOW what a christmas that will be. Maybe by then my pain in my hand will not be there either. My daugher is so happy she will have a rich man's family just like me. God listened to me..I put my order in for a little girl, just like I did 25 years ago when I had my daughter...so I know he is up there and listening..so maybe he will answer all my prayer and help everyone on this board...including you lilah..thanks for being there..it is nice to share good news with a friend.
lilah
06-21-2003, 12:49 PM
Wow a girl :) you should see the big grin on my face ! My daughter had wanted one of each and so far has 2 boys both born on 8/25 but 2 years apart. I'm hoping she will keep to record and have a little girl on 8/25/04 that would be so cool. Heh! Well she wants another one (she really wants a girl) but she hasn't quite convinced her husband they could handle 3 but mayabe if they lived closer to grandma it wouldn't be so hard to handle 3 <GRIN> Ah well I can always hope - and you you lucky thing will have the opportunity to cuddle and spoil 2 of your very own grands soon :)
Angel0627
06-23-2003, 02:37 PM
HI Lilah,
It rained all weekend here! I thought you were going to send me some sun...LOL Well my daughter-in-law is at 37 weeks and she can have it anytime now..the doctor says its going to be a BIG baby boy..10 1/2 lbs...so the doctor doesnt care now if it comes. (Its amazing how they can tell this from a ultrasound) She had a long battle with this one..she got diabetes and had to take shots. She got it because she had to have steriod shot for the baby cause he was coming to early. So any day now...or maybe 3 more weeks. I cant wait. She has been at my house for 3 weeks now on complete bed rest..cause it is close to the hospital..and daddy. My son is only 5 minutes away.
I go for my EMG on next Monday..everyone tell me it really hurts..I hope not..I hate pain..even though my pain dr. says I have a high tolerance for pain. Lately I have been in a fog..I think it is from all the meds.I am taking. Hopefully the emg will tell the picture so they can fix it and I can go back to work. I am so depressed sometimes..cause I want to use my hand and I cant. Oh well I guess I have to be patient and see what the test brings. There is some days I feel ok and others I am in alot of pain.
I have never asked you about you...are you in alot of pain? What was your diagnois? Well I better go I will keep in touch..It was nice hearing from you.
It rained all weekend here! I thought you were going to send me some sun...LOL Well my daughter-in-law is at 37 weeks and she can have it anytime now..the doctor says its going to be a BIG baby boy..10 1/2 lbs...so the doctor doesnt care now if it comes. (Its amazing how they can tell this from a ultrasound) She had a long battle with this one..she got diabetes and had to take shots. She got it because she had to have steriod shot for the baby cause he was coming to early. So any day now...or maybe 3 more weeks. I cant wait. She has been at my house for 3 weeks now on complete bed rest..cause it is close to the hospital..and daddy. My son is only 5 minutes away.
I go for my EMG on next Monday..everyone tell me it really hurts..I hope not..I hate pain..even though my pain dr. says I have a high tolerance for pain. Lately I have been in a fog..I think it is from all the meds.I am taking. Hopefully the emg will tell the picture so they can fix it and I can go back to work. I am so depressed sometimes..cause I want to use my hand and I cant. Oh well I guess I have to be patient and see what the test brings. There is some days I feel ok and others I am in alot of pain.
I have never asked you about you...are you in alot of pain? What was your diagnois? Well I better go I will keep in touch..It was nice hearing from you.
lilah
06-24-2003, 12:13 PM
ugh diagnosises or however you pluralize it. Yep sometimes there is plenty of pain (more often than not these days). so far the docs say i have: irritative cervical radiculopathy, multi-focal pain syndrome, irritative lumbar radicuulopthy, neuropathy in both legs, ddd, arthritis in my neck and back, severe arthritis of my right hip (i need a new one but am too young) and arthritis in my knees as well (also other joints but they haven't been xrayed why bother?) and the mri shows bulging disks from t11 on down through s1 with L4/5 being the worst. What a surprise it was to me to go to the docs and have them find soemthings when for years they blew me off. Oh well -
Angel0627
06-24-2003, 03:23 PM
Lilah,
When I read all that they have diagnosised for you I felt that my little hand pain is nothing compared to yours...Lilah, how old are you..if you dont mind me asking? I am 49 but in three days on the 27th it will be the BIG 50..somedays I feel like I am 90.
There is nothing like pain in your hips I get pain there too from lugging the babies on my hips for 18 yrs my hips always hurt even to lay on my side, but the pain isnt so bad now that I have not worked in 6 months.(I guess it goes with the job)Or maybe its my body telling me that I should not take care of babies anymore..Babies are for the young that is why god gives babies to the young mothers. Right now I am happy being a grandmother.
Today the sun is shining..thanks for sending it to us.Tomorrow is surpose to be in the 90's..we go from 50 to 90 in just one day. No wonder my hand is hurting today...does your pain hurt more when the weather changes?
I have been reading on the board about EMG's and some people say that it doesnt hurt and some say they kill..I hope it doesnt hurt I am a whimp when it comes to needles. But if it help me find out I am willing to do anything.
Well I have to go, my grandson wants to go in the pool..I love watching him smile..it makes my day. Take care and you know your always in my prayers.
When I read all that they have diagnosised for you I felt that my little hand pain is nothing compared to yours...Lilah, how old are you..if you dont mind me asking? I am 49 but in three days on the 27th it will be the BIG 50..somedays I feel like I am 90.
There is nothing like pain in your hips I get pain there too from lugging the babies on my hips for 18 yrs my hips always hurt even to lay on my side, but the pain isnt so bad now that I have not worked in 6 months.(I guess it goes with the job)Or maybe its my body telling me that I should not take care of babies anymore..Babies are for the young that is why god gives babies to the young mothers. Right now I am happy being a grandmother.
Today the sun is shining..thanks for sending it to us.Tomorrow is surpose to be in the 90's..we go from 50 to 90 in just one day. No wonder my hand is hurting today...does your pain hurt more when the weather changes?
I have been reading on the board about EMG's and some people say that it doesnt hurt and some say they kill..I hope it doesnt hurt I am a whimp when it comes to needles. But if it help me find out I am willing to do anything.
Well I have to go, my grandson wants to go in the pool..I love watching him smile..it makes my day. Take care and you know your always in my prayers.
lilah
06-25-2003, 05:31 PM
Hand pain is nothing to sneer at. There isn't anything you can do without your hands so when they hurt life is misrable. I have also had problems with my hands so I can say with some authority it is awful. I'll be 52 at the end of the year. Too young for all this stuff to be sure and definately still in shock wondering where was I while my joints were being wrecked but truely I know where I was and just have to accept that I did it all by my own self with some encouragement from the medical profession which could find nothing wrong when I had complained of pain in the past. Well they have sure been finding things wrong lately! In a way finding a real diagnosis is comforting since I never could understand being in that much pain and having nothing wrong but at the same time I wonder how all of a sudden now they are seeing so much surely with so much going on there would have been something seeable 10 or 20 years ago which could have been treated then to make it not so bad now? (pardon the horribly long and convoluted sentence). Ah well that is in the past and no going back to change it now. Unfortunately, it does sound like it is time for you to stop lugging the babies around on a professional basis. Maybe you can convince your kids to just have more babies so you have enough around to play with :) As for the EMG... I had a nerve conduction study with from what I understand is the same thing done with electrodes which stick on rather than ones that stick in. The test itself isn't so bad but for me there was one jolt that really made me jump which snapped my back and hurt ALOT but most likely that won't happen the same way for you since your problem is different from mine and it is worth it to find out what is going on with the nerve stuff. Actually, when I went for the test I thought I was going to have one with the needles since that is what I had been able to find info on when I looked up nerve conduction test online. I found out when I got there that they were doing it with stick on electrodes so I'll hope that will be the same case for you and that it goes smoothly and finds something fixable. And lastly the weather :) temperature changes aren't really the problem - we normally have a 30 degree differential between daytime and nighttime temperatures. I only have a problem with cold if I allow myself to become too chilled. It is the swings in the barometer which absolutely kill me. Well this has gotten a bit long so time to chop it off here. I'll keep you in my prayers as well it certainly couldn't hurt :).
Angel0627
06-26-2003, 10:25 AM
Hi Lilah,
The time is growing near..hopefully Monday will give me some needed answers. I am hopeful that this test will tell something. I understand when you say that why didnt they find the pain problem years ago. Its frustruting when you are in pain and no one can find what is wrong...someday I think they think I am crazy. But I am not a quiter..I will find the problen and fix it. Emotionally I am at my witts end...my husband is very supportive but I can see that it is putting a strain on him..I can't work and no more workman compensation checks as of June 1st.. Its really hard but I have a roof over my head and food in my belly and he loves me and that is what should matter...but when I sit here alone you have a lot of time to think...and somedays I just want to cry. But I am saving my tears for when my new grandson comes..they will be tears of joy. Sorry for being so down it just that I want this to be all over and get on with my life. (Sorry for being such a whimp) I guess when I look back 6 months ago where we were just seeing the light and this had to happen. I always tell my kids that life happens in between...well I guess it is my turn. Well enough of my self-pity. The weather here is still in the 90's and very humid. (The pregnant mommy is hating it) but I am keeping her cool with air-conditioners. I am hoping she will have the baby on my birthday tomorrow..that will be the greatest present. Nana born in 1953 and Baby Joshua in 2003. Well gotta go and try to do something to make my daughter-in-laws day productive...I am going for a walk with her to help this baby along. Have a nice cool day...and stay out of the heat. Oh by the way thanks for letting me cry on you computer..LOL . Just so you know my real name it is Anne Marie..and I am assuming your is Lilah?
The time is growing near..hopefully Monday will give me some needed answers. I am hopeful that this test will tell something. I understand when you say that why didnt they find the pain problem years ago. Its frustruting when you are in pain and no one can find what is wrong...someday I think they think I am crazy. But I am not a quiter..I will find the problen and fix it. Emotionally I am at my witts end...my husband is very supportive but I can see that it is putting a strain on him..I can't work and no more workman compensation checks as of June 1st.. Its really hard but I have a roof over my head and food in my belly and he loves me and that is what should matter...but when I sit here alone you have a lot of time to think...and somedays I just want to cry. But I am saving my tears for when my new grandson comes..they will be tears of joy. Sorry for being so down it just that I want this to be all over and get on with my life. (Sorry for being such a whimp) I guess when I look back 6 months ago where we were just seeing the light and this had to happen. I always tell my kids that life happens in between...well I guess it is my turn. Well enough of my self-pity. The weather here is still in the 90's and very humid. (The pregnant mommy is hating it) but I am keeping her cool with air-conditioners. I am hoping she will have the baby on my birthday tomorrow..that will be the greatest present. Nana born in 1953 and Baby Joshua in 2003. Well gotta go and try to do something to make my daughter-in-laws day productive...I am going for a walk with her to help this baby along. Have a nice cool day...and stay out of the heat. Oh by the way thanks for letting me cry on you computer..LOL . Just so you know my real name it is Anne Marie..and I am assuming your is Lilah?
lilah
06-27-2003, 04:00 AM
some folks call me lilah but my name is sue - happy b'day btw and wouldn't it be great if you got some answers tomorrow and a new grandchild to boot! i hope as you have the mom out walking tonight you encourage her to jump off some curbs and generally shak baby up some so he will come out! It is very hard when you think you are finally getting ahead to suddenly be set back to square 1 or so but to also be incapacited at the time well that is awful cause you can't really do much except for sit around and feel sorry for yourself. i have gotten quite good at self pity over these last few months and it is something i really hate. oh well this too shall pass - you granschild coming on your b'day isn't so far fetched both of my grandsons have the same birthday but 2 years apart so it certainly could happen. well let me know how the test goes and what the doc says if you don't have to wait for results (for mine i had to wait as a technician did the test and then the doc read the results. hang in there you are a lucky one really with a good hubby who is sticking by you and those grandbabies on the way :)))
avia
06-28-2003, 03:56 PM
The needles they use for EMG are very fine like acupuncture needles. I did not watch buy my husband was there and he said it was a tiny thin needle. It was not that bad - be positive and keep thinking how the test may help you. You have a lot to look forward to with the new babies!
Angel0627
07-02-2003, 08:46 AM
Lilah & Avia,
I made it through the EMG...it was not so bad..I went in expecting the worst and it was incomfortable but you could bear it. The one good thing about it I think that they might of found out what was wrong with my hand (I hope)..They think it is the radial nerve stemming from the posterior interosseus nerve that connects to the sensory interosseus membrane.(Alot of nerves HUH) But the EMG doctor is just guessing because when she simulates that nerve I get the pain, but the doctor says unfortunatly this branch of the nerve can't be tested. (Figures) But the doctor is going to write her opinion to the hand specialist and pain doctor to see what can be done to make the pain go away..well I guess I have to except that for now. At least I am not going crazy. I prove to the doctor that there is real pain. I hope now that the pain doctor can do something to stop it.
OK before I go on any more I just want to tell you that my son had his baby yesterday at 6:24 AM. My new grandson, Joshua was 9lbs 1 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. He was a big Baby. Mom is doing fine but a little bit sore and baby is doing OK..he is in the special care nursey because his sugar levels keep on dropping. But the Dr. says that will sometimes happen to babies when moms get gestional diabetics. But I saw his whole birth..it was totally awesome. It was unexplainable. Just so beautiful. Just pray that my grandson sugar levels start to rise and mommy can hold him close to her all day. Also too that this nana can give him a kiss and a hug. I hate seeing those tubes on him, but if they are going to help him get his sugar levels up I guess it is for the best. Well anyways he is here and Joshua Peter is the cutest little baby you ever did see..(but I am his nana and you no I would say that)..LOL
Well I better go have to get dress to go see my little angel. Hope they take him out of special care and send him to his mommy today... Thanks all of you for all the information on the EMG and a special thanks to Lilah for being there when I need support..bye for now... This nana is on cloud nine!!!!
I made it through the EMG...it was not so bad..I went in expecting the worst and it was incomfortable but you could bear it. The one good thing about it I think that they might of found out what was wrong with my hand (I hope)..They think it is the radial nerve stemming from the posterior interosseus nerve that connects to the sensory interosseus membrane.(Alot of nerves HUH) But the EMG doctor is just guessing because when she simulates that nerve I get the pain, but the doctor says unfortunatly this branch of the nerve can't be tested. (Figures) But the doctor is going to write her opinion to the hand specialist and pain doctor to see what can be done to make the pain go away..well I guess I have to except that for now. At least I am not going crazy. I prove to the doctor that there is real pain. I hope now that the pain doctor can do something to stop it.
OK before I go on any more I just want to tell you that my son had his baby yesterday at 6:24 AM. My new grandson, Joshua was 9lbs 1 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. He was a big Baby. Mom is doing fine but a little bit sore and baby is doing OK..he is in the special care nursey because his sugar levels keep on dropping. But the Dr. says that will sometimes happen to babies when moms get gestional diabetics. But I saw his whole birth..it was totally awesome. It was unexplainable. Just so beautiful. Just pray that my grandson sugar levels start to rise and mommy can hold him close to her all day. Also too that this nana can give him a kiss and a hug. I hate seeing those tubes on him, but if they are going to help him get his sugar levels up I guess it is for the best. Well anyways he is here and Joshua Peter is the cutest little baby you ever did see..(but I am his nana and you no I would say that)..LOL
Well I better go have to get dress to go see my little angel. Hope they take him out of special care and send him to his mommy today... Thanks all of you for all the information on the EMG and a special thanks to Lilah for being there when I need support..bye for now... This nana is on cloud nine!!!!