SLUniverse Forums

Spaceman Opus · 07-22-2008, 05:55 PM

Update:

Finally got my Dr. to send me to a hand specialist...ends up being the head of the hand clinic at UMass Memorial, so I know I'm getting somewhere....he sent me for an MRI (which SUCKED...can't keep the wrist still if keeping the wrist still sends fire shooting up my tendons) and I just got back from the followup after he saw the results.

Diagnosis: Not much showed on the MRI cuz I moved, but he saw what he was looking for, and anatomically it's in the exact spot for wrist intersection syndrome...basically the tendons controlling my fingers (going up and down my arm) fused with the tendons controlling my thumb (going diagonally across my arm, and resting on top of the finger-tendons).

Options are:

do nothing, and it'll maybe get better on its own but prolly not
another cortisone shot...he said if it was the first time he saw me that's what he would do, but seeing as the last one had absolutely no effect...
Therapy...which again, had no effect, and actually made things worse...
Surgery, of the tendon-un-fusing kind.

So.....I'm waiting on a call from the secretary soon with a list of dates to be cut open. I was hoping to have it be general anesthesia, cuz I'm a wuss with needles, but it's just a small slice and fix kinda thing, so I'll just have to go unconcious the way I always do...when I see the needle that's gonna give me the local...that'll show 'em

He didn't fall for the old vaudeville routine about "Will I ever play the guitar again?"...he actually asked me if I play now

but he did say that if all goes well I should be able to play soon enough.

Main risk (other than normal surgical risks) is that I *might* not get the level of pain relief that I'm hoping for, but at this point, I'll take anything I can get.

Cross yer fingers (just not too tightly...you'll screw up the tendons

)!

Vengence Opus · 07-22-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Opus

Update:

Finally got my Dr. to send me to a hand specialist...ends up being the head of the hand clinic at UMass Memorial, so I know I'm getting somewhere....he sent me for an MRI (which SUCKED...can't keep the wrist still if keeping the wrist still sends fire shooting up my tendons) and I just got back from the followup after he saw the results.

Diagnosis: Not much showed on the MRI cuz I moved, but he saw what he was looking for, and anatomically it's in the exact spot for wrist intersection syndrome...basically the tendons controlling my fingers (going up and down my arm) fused with the tendons controlling my thumb (going diagonally across my arm, and resting on top of the finger-tendons).

Options are:

do nothing, and it'll maybe get better on its own but prolly not
another cortisone shot...he said if it was the first time he saw me that's what he would do, but seeing as the last one had absolutely no effect...
Therapy...which again, had no effect, and actually made things worse...
Surgery, of the tendon-un-fusing kind.

So.....I'm waiting on a call from the secretary soon with a list of dates to be cut open. I was hoping to have it be general anesthesia, cuz I'm a wuss with needles, but it's just a small slice and fix kinda thing, so I'll just have to go unconcious the way I always do...when I see the needle that's gonna give me the local...that'll show 'em

He didn't fall for the old vaudeville routine about "Will I ever play the guitar again?"...he actually asked me if I play now

but he did say that if all goes well I should be able to play soon enough.

Main risk (other than normal surgical risks) is that I *might* not get the level of pain relief that I'm hoping for, but at this point, I'll take anything I can get.

Cross yer fingers (just not too tightly...you'll screw up the tendons

)!

glad you're making progress, man!!

here's to hoping you can play sooner than later!!!

Lecktor Hannibal · 07-22-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Opus

Update:

Finally got my Dr. to send me to a hand specialist...ends up being the head of the hand clinic at UMass Memorial, so I know I'm getting somewhere....he sent me for an MRI (which SUCKED...can't keep the wrist still if keeping the wrist still sends fire shooting up my tendons) and I just got back from the followup after he saw the results.

Diagnosis: Not much showed on the MRI cuz I moved, but he saw what he was looking for, and anatomically it's in the exact spot for wrist intersection syndrome...basically the tendons controlling my fingers (going up and down my arm) fused with the tendons controlling my thumb (going diagonally across my arm, and resting on top of the finger-tendons).

Options are:

do nothing, and it'll maybe get better on its own but prolly not
another cortisone shot...he said if it was the first time he saw me that's what he would do, but seeing as the last one had absolutely no effect...
Therapy...which again, had no effect, and actually made things worse...
Surgery, of the tendon-un-fusing kind.

So.....I'm waiting on a call from the secretary soon with a list of dates to be cut open. I was hoping to have it be general anesthesia, cuz I'm a wuss with needles, but it's just a small slice and fix kinda thing, so I'll just have to go unconcious the way I always do...when I see the needle that's gonna give me the local...that'll show 'em

He didn't fall for the old vaudeville routine about "Will I ever play the guitar again?"...he actually asked me if I play now

but he did say that if all goes well I should be able to play soon enough.

Main risk (other than normal surgical risks) is that I *might* not get the level of pain relief that I'm hoping for, but at this point, I'll take anything I can get.

Cross yer fingers (just not too tightly...you'll screw up the tendons

)!

Excellent news dude !! Good luck !

Asher Bertrand · 07-22-2008, 06:03 PM

Good luck to you

I want you to get your music back.

Atia · 07-22-2008, 06:10 PM

Being a sufferer of carpal tunnel in both hands/arms I totally relate to the pain even tho' it's an entirely different diagnosis from your situation. What amazes me is how the pain can creep all the way up the arms and into the shoulders for anything related to the wrists!

I'm really glad to hear there's a light at that end of the tunnel (no pun intended-oh ok, maybe a little one) for you!!!

Brenda Connolly · 07-22-2008, 06:19 PM

Will I sound like a horrid person if I admitted I thought this thread was about masturbation when I saw the title?

In any case, Good Luck Spaceman..

Ben Hoark · 07-22-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenda Connolly

Will I sound like a horrid person if I admitted I thought this thread was about masturbation when I saw the title?

Yep, me too. Guessed that it probably wasn't and was about pitch in with some ho-ho post, when I saw what it was actually about.

That sucks, Spaceman. RSI is a real drag, and it seems so hard to get anything done about it. Fingers crossed for you - hope it works out.

Jellin Pico · 07-22-2008, 09:23 PM

Get the surgery. DeQuervain's release ( CPT 25000

) is fast, simple and easy.

It's about as lickity-split out-the-door as you can get. The procedure has been around forever and it's done a lot so everyone knows it like the back of their hand. No pun intended.

I know a lot of people equate this to like carpal tunnel surgery ( CPT 64721

) but it's just no where near as invasive, so don't let any carpal tunnel surgery horror stories get in your head. It just isn't the same thing at all.

Simple, fast, utterly basic, well known and very little down time.

FlipperPA Peregrine · 07-22-2008, 09:45 PM

Ouch, that sucks amig0, so sorry to hear it. I hope you find a new hobby that brings you as much joy without the pain!

Markubis · 07-23-2008, 06:43 AM

Good luck with the surgery

I was surprised that the doctor told you right out that you should "be able to play soon enough"..that in itself speaks volumes about your prognosis. Doctors usually don't come out with such positive statements before surgery.

I know when I had knee surgery a few years ago, they told me I would be off my knee for a few days and then I should be back to normal. Not only was I back to normal, I was out landscaping my yard (digging trees and shrubs out of the ground) the following weekend. I also noticed that my knee had not felt that good in about 10 years.

So, lets hope you get the same sort of recovery.

Midi Reifsnider · 07-23-2008, 07:05 AM

I'm watching with interest, my husband has something very similar, he had a cortisone shot which helped but the pain is starting to come back and he's not sure whether to go back to the dr or put up with it.

His was caused by playing Wii golf every night for 18 months. He's a teeny bit obsessive. Actually, that's when I got into SL, we were playing together for the first 6 months but it got to the stage that i was in danger of ripping my eyes out if I had to look at those same 9 holes again.

ETA: Forgot to say good luck with it, which was the point of the post in the first place

Aisuru Rieko · 07-23-2008, 08:53 AM

do eeeeeet! and good luck Spacey!

Rose Alba Karuna · 07-23-2008, 11:44 AM

Glad to hear that the overall prognosis is good. Best of luck with your surgery and I hope that cast and all you are back in SL and on the Guitar very soon.

stpaulsub Clio · 07-23-2008, 02:18 PM

Fmeh · 07-23-2008, 02:47 PM

Hope the surgery is successful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brenda Connolly

Will I sound like a horrid person if I admitted I thought this thread was about masturbation when I saw the title?

In any case, Good Luck Spaceman..

Well, when I first saw it I thought it said "Anyone got a spare limp wrist"

Trinity Serpentine · 07-23-2008, 03:16 PM

Very promising news, indeed. Good luck with everything and may you be strumming the strings again soon.

Brig McD · 07-23-2008, 03:24 PM

I'm sorry to hear about this Spaceman. I hope something can be done.

Raindrop Drinkwater · 07-23-2008, 03:58 PM

Good luck, Spacey!

Spaceman Opus · 07-23-2008, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the words of encouragement, folks...it really means a lot

Scheduled the surgery for August 29th, so the wrist should be nice and swollen at SLCC, and you can all buy me sympathy drinks cuz it'll be too hard for me to get to the bar with a bum wrist...or something.

I hated to do it so close to SLCC, but it was either that or wait for the next Friday available: Oct. 31. With my luck the surgeon's some wacky Halloween lover that comes into the operating room with a bloody butcher's apron and a chainsaw to "make everyone feel at ease"..... uh uh.

I don't want to sound over-optimistic, but I see myself playing regularly by the end of the year....I hope

Thanks again everyone!

07-22-2008, 05:55 PM	#26 (permalink)
Spaceman Opus heheheh...member Wait...what? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fuzzburg, MA Posts: 537 SL Join Date: 5/13/2006 My Mood:	Update: Finally got my Dr. to send me to a hand specialist...ends up being the head of the hand clinic at UMass Memorial, so I know I'm getting somewhere....he sent me for an MRI (which SUCKED...can't keep the wrist still if keeping the wrist still sends fire shooting up my tendons) and I just got back from the followup after he saw the results. Diagnosis: Not much showed on the MRI cuz I moved, but he saw what he was looking for, and anatomically it's in the exact spot for wrist intersection syndrome...basically the tendons controlling my fingers (going up and down my arm) fused with the tendons controlling my thumb (going diagonally across my arm, and resting on top of the finger-tendons). Options are: do nothing, and it'll maybe get better on its own but prolly not another cortisone shot...he said if it was the first time he saw me that's what he would do, but seeing as the last one had absolutely no effect... Therapy...which again, had no effect, and actually made things worse... Surgery, of the tendon-un-fusing kind. So.....I'm waiting on a call from the secretary soon with a list of dates to be cut open. I was hoping to have it be general anesthesia, cuz I'm a wuss with needles, but it's just a small slice and fix kinda thing, so I'll just have to go unconcious the way I always do...when I see the needle that's gonna give me the local...that'll show 'em He didn't fall for the old vaudeville routine about "Will I ever play the guitar again?"...he actually asked me if I play now but he did say that if all goes well I should be able to play soon enough. Main risk (other than normal surgical risks) is that I might not get the level of pain relief that I'm hoping for, but at this point, I'll take anything I can get. Cross yer fingers (just not too tightly...you'll screw up the tendons )! __________________ Spacey's lil Blog

07-22-2008, 06:03 PM	#29 (permalink)
Asher Bertrand Dead Guy Les pantalons du diable! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,577 Blog Entries: 2 My Mood:	Good luck to you I want you to get your music back. __________________

07-22-2008, 06:10 PM	#30 (permalink)
Atia A Hand Full Well-heeled Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,097 SL Join Date: 12/23/07 My Mood:	Being a sufferer of carpal tunnel in both hands/arms I totally relate to the pain even tho' it's an entirely different diagnosis from your situation. What amazes me is how the pain can creep all the way up the arms and into the shoulders for anything related to the wrists! I'm really glad to hear there's a light at that end of the tunnel (no pun intended-oh ok, maybe a little one) for you!!! __________________ Men are all alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ. Moliere

07-22-2008, 06:19 PM	#31 (permalink)
Brenda Connolly Konichiwa, Bitches I'll Be Back Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nu Jerzee, USSA Posts: 4,506 SL Join Date: January 2007 My Mood:	Will I sound like a horrid person if I admitted I thought this thread was about masturbation when I saw the title? In any case, Good Luck Spaceman.. Last edited by Brenda Connolly; 07-22-2008 at 06:40 PM..

07-22-2008, 09:23 PM	#33 (permalink)
Jellin Pico Booyakasha! I'm better than you Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: I hate L.A. Posts: 2,287 SL Join Date: July 2003 My Mood: Awards: 1	Get the surgery. DeQuervain's release ( CPT 25000 ) is fast, simple and easy. It's about as lickity-split out-the-door as you can get. The procedure has been around forever and it's done a lot so everyone knows it like the back of their hand. No pun intended. I know a lot of people equate this to like carpal tunnel surgery ( CPT 64721 ) but it's just no where near as invasive, so don't let any carpal tunnel surgery horror stories get in your head. It just isn't the same thing at all. Simple, fast, utterly basic, well known and very little down time. __________________ Dolphins ... The Smug Bastards of the Sea

07-22-2008, 09:45 PM	#34 (permalink)
FlipperPA Peregrine Evil Incarnate! Recursion is beautiful! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 5,261 SL Join Date: 2003-11-14 Business: Peregrine Salon SLShopper Ads: 1 My Mood:	Ouch, that sucks amig0, so sorry to hear it. I hope you find a new hobby that brings you as much joy without the pain! __________________ Peregrine Salon: Flip & Jenn's thang.

07-23-2008, 06:43 AM	#35 (permalink)
Markubis Hi...Yah!! GAH!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 789 SL Join Date: 4/15/2006 My Mood:	Good luck with the surgery I was surprised that the doctor told you right out that you should "be able to play soon enough"..that in itself speaks volumes about your prognosis. Doctors usually don't come out with such positive statements before surgery. I know when I had knee surgery a few years ago, they told me I would be off my knee for a few days and then I should be back to normal. Not only was I back to normal, I was out landscaping my yard (digging trees and shrubs out of the ground) the following weekend. I also noticed that my knee had not felt that good in about 10 years. So, lets hope you get the same sort of recovery.

07-23-2008, 07:05 AM	#36 (permalink)
Midi Reifsnider Miss Midipenny I'm alright, thanks Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,192 SL Join Date: Sept 2007 My Mood:	I'm watching with interest, my husband has something very similar, he had a cortisone shot which helped but the pain is starting to come back and he's not sure whether to go back to the dr or put up with it. His was caused by playing Wii golf every night for 18 months. He's a teeny bit obsessive. Actually, that's when I got into SL, we were playing together for the first 6 months but it got to the stage that i was in danger of ripping my eyes out if I had to look at those same 9 holes again. ETA: Forgot to say good luck with it, which was the point of the post in the first place

07-23-2008, 08:53 AM	#37 (permalink)
Aisuru Rieko Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu! Plurking Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 408 SL Join Date: 1/18/08 Business: Beloved XBOX Leaderboard: 17^th My Mood:	do eeeeeet! and good luck Spacey!

07-23-2008, 02:18 PM	#39 (permalink)
stpaulsub Clio huh? Hug Meh! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Up up where the air is clear Posts: 785 SL Join Date: 9/2/2004 My Mood:	__________________ :Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.: - Earl Wilson-

07-23-2008, 03:24 PM	#42 (permalink)
Brig McD The SLU Mom Briefly Experienced Heaven Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In my house Posts: 10,726 SL Join Date: July 29, 2006 Blog Entries: 1 My Mood:	I'm sorry to hear about this Spaceman. I hope something can be done. Last edited by Brig McD; 07-23-2008 at 04:00 PM..

07-23-2008, 06:16 PM	#44 (permalink)
Spaceman Opus heheheh...member Wait...what? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fuzzburg, MA Posts: 537 SL Join Date: 5/13/2006 My Mood:	Thanks for the words of encouragement, folks...it really means a lot Scheduled the surgery for August 29th, so the wrist should be nice and swollen at SLCC, and you can all buy me sympathy drinks cuz it'll be too hard for me to get to the bar with a bum wrist...or something. I hated to do it so close to SLCC, but it was either that or wait for the next Friday available: Oct. 31. With my luck the surgeon's some wacky Halloween lover that comes into the operating room with a bloody butcher's apron and a chainsaw to "make everyone feel at ease"..... uh uh. I don't want to sound over-optimistic, but I see myself playing regularly by the end of the year....I hope Thanks again everyone!