And the Latest Is......
......MORE THERAPY! What kind of "more" therapy you ask? Well, I have to go through Occupational therapy now as well as Physical Therapy. Ugh.
I went to Dr. Hendren today and he told me that the nerve conduction study (NCS) and EMG study done a few weeks ago was sorta on the borderline of negative and positive. Dr. Deputy, my neurologist, said he didn't think I showed signs of acute/major carpal tunnel; however, Dr. Hendren said that it doesn't necessarily say I don't have it b/c although the NCS and EMG study is about 90% reliable, about 10% is not shown on the test. I also mentioned to him that my elbow has been tender as well for the past couple of month and felt like Hitting my funny bone" feeling. So after further reading the report that Dr. Deputy sent to him, it did show that I can possibly have something sorta like carpal tunnel, only it affects the elbow area. So the diagnosis is minor carpal tunnel and elbow tenderness. So he's sending me to OT to undergo ANOTHER test that will show carpal tunel and the "elbow tunnel thing", which he thinks will give him answers for further help for me to feel better. Also, I have to undergo OT evaluation for hand/arm exercises to help strength the bones/mucles so as to use the muscles MORE and preventing to nerve from "overworking". He said that if OT doesn't work for a couple of months, the next step is to possibly go in for surgery to releve the tension in my elbow. He also thinks that since the nerve test showed more trouble in my elbow than my wrist, it could be the reason I'm experience carpal tunnel symptoms (according to him, sometimes, patients mistaken pain in thier wrist to affect thier elbow and not the other way around!); so please pray that OT will be beneficial and I don't have to undergo surgery. In conjunction with this, the doctor said that my shoulder pain is definitely an impingment and PT will have to go on for a couple more months. He told me the importance of diligence to do both my PT and my OT exercises. (btw, my OT evaluation that is next opened is on April 7 at 2pm) The PT exercises is suppose to help the mucles become stronger so as to relieve the tension that is pressing against my elbow socket and neck. However, if intense PT exercises doesn't work (assuming that I'm diligent w/ my PT), I too may have to go in for surgery for my shoulder to "shave off some bone" so that the bone won't rub against the socket---there will also be less chance of the bone rubbing against the nerves in the socket......(does this make sense to everyone?????? I had to have it explain to me twice and see pictures before I understood)!! So hopefully I don't have to have shoulder and elbow surgery because I really can't afford that (since my reconstructive and oral surgeon is planning a surgery in summer)!! By "affording" I don't mean monetarily, (although that is an issue), but affording it as it relates to work and FMLA.
I find it interesting that I initially went to Dr. Hendren for my shoulder pain.....which he figured out what was the cause, but now they are trying to find out what's going on w/ my wrist and elbows. My mom thinks "I'm not even 30 yet (in Aug I will be) and already I have so much trouble w/ my knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, etc!!"---I already had one shoulder surgery and knee surgery in the past!!)
Please just pray that the PT and OT will be successful and that I don't have to undergo surgery. I know it's all in God's hands and He will work out the details regarding everything, including surgery w/ my reconstructive and oral surgeon, things with my bosses, and much more!! It's still a bit frustrating and I'm learning each day to rely on God and trust Him, yet it's not easy to be not feeling well all the time! Honestly, the past couple of days, have been pretty good (w/ the aide of pain meds as well as sleeping a bit better); therapy is going well and so far Pam (my top boss--the Director) has been great about my time off! Work issues w/ my new manager --- has been a bit stressful because she functions so differently then my last manager---but really trying to not let it get to me and work as I have done in the past. Hopefully by mid-April, my mountain of paper work will be submitted and it will be one less stress for me to really worry about!!
Thank you all for your emails, calls, comments on FB and love you have shown! I couldn't get through this w/o the support of all my family and friends! Thanks for the prayers.....please continue to pray for me!
I went to Dr. Hendren today and he told me that the nerve conduction study (NCS) and EMG study done a few weeks ago was sorta on the borderline of negative and positive. Dr. Deputy, my neurologist, said he didn't think I showed signs of acute/major carpal tunnel; however, Dr. Hendren said that it doesn't necessarily say I don't have it b/c although the NCS and EMG study is about 90% reliable, about 10% is not shown on the test. I also mentioned to him that my elbow has been tender as well for the past couple of month and felt like Hitting my funny bone" feeling. So after further reading the report that Dr. Deputy sent to him, it did show that I can possibly have something sorta like carpal tunnel, only it affects the elbow area. So the diagnosis is minor carpal tunnel and elbow tenderness. So he's sending me to OT to undergo ANOTHER test that will show carpal tunel and the "elbow tunnel thing", which he thinks will give him answers for further help for me to feel better. Also, I have to undergo OT evaluation for hand/arm exercises to help strength the bones/mucles so as to use the muscles MORE and preventing to nerve from "overworking". He said that if OT doesn't work for a couple of months, the next step is to possibly go in for surgery to releve the tension in my elbow. He also thinks that since the nerve test showed more trouble in my elbow than my wrist, it could be the reason I'm experience carpal tunnel symptoms (according to him, sometimes, patients mistaken pain in thier wrist to affect thier elbow and not the other way around!); so please pray that OT will be beneficial and I don't have to undergo surgery. In conjunction with this, the doctor said that my shoulder pain is definitely an impingment and PT will have to go on for a couple more months. He told me the importance of diligence to do both my PT and my OT exercises. (btw, my OT evaluation that is next opened is on April 7 at 2pm) The PT exercises is suppose to help the mucles become stronger so as to relieve the tension that is pressing against my elbow socket and neck. However, if intense PT exercises doesn't work (assuming that I'm diligent
I find it interesting that I initially went to Dr. Hendren for my shoulder pain.....which he figured out what was the cause, but now they are trying to find out what's going on w/ my wrist and elbows. My mom thinks "I'm not even 30 yet (in Aug I will be) and already I have so much trouble w/ my knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists, etc!!"---I already had one shoulder surgery and knee surgery in the past!!)
Please just pray that the PT and OT will be successful and that I don't have to undergo surgery. I know it's all in God's hands and He will work out the details regarding everything, including surgery w/ my reconstructive and oral surgeon, things with my bosses, and much more!! It's still a bit frustrating and I'm learning each day to rely on God and trust Him, yet it's not easy to be not feeling well all the time! Honestly, the past couple of days, have been pretty good (w/ the aide of pain meds as well as sleeping a bit better); therapy is going well and so far Pam (my top boss--the Director) has been great about my time off! Work issues w/ my new manager --- has been a bit stressful because she functions so differently then my last manager---but really trying to not let it get to me and work as I have done in the past. Hopefully by mid-April, my mountain of paper work will be submitted and it will be one less stress for me to really worry about!!
Thank you all for your emails, calls, comments on FB and love you have shown! I couldn't get through this w/o the support of all my family and friends! Thanks for the prayers.....please continue to pray for me!
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