my wrists/thumb issue diagnosis

February 21, 2008

So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and particularly

my thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it as this really long

name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral position but

they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to see if CMS

will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there are lots of

things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't at all!!!

Info on it if interested:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/DS00692

--

" Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings rushing... " (AFI-

Silver and Cold).

my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter of wings is

within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

February 21, 2008

Izzie:

I have not heard of this before but thanks for posting the link . I thought it

was really interesting. That stinks about the brace. I just don't understand

how they can keep you in limbo for this long. What is wrong with that judge

anyway? I want to scream for you. Could you get one of those braces they sell

at Wal Mart that stabalize the thumb and wrap around the wrist. I have one I

use when my thumbs from my arthritis acts up and it really does stabilize the

thumnb and I can still use the rest of my hand. I don't think they are too

expensive.

Sending prayers & happy thoughts,

Beth :-)

my wrists/thumb issue diagnosis

So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and particularly

my thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it as this really long

name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral position but

they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to see if CMS

will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there are lots of

things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't at all!!!

Info on it if interested:

http://www.mayoclin ic.com/health/ de-quervains- tenosynovitis/ DS00692

--

" Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings rushing... " (AFI-

Silver and Cold).

my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter of wings is

within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

February 22, 2008

Glad you know at least what it is you are dealing with FINALLY. Beth

mentioned a brace from a pharmacy and I second that idea. I have one

that I am suppose to sleep with for my carpal tunnel though I never

do, lol. But, I think there was a stabilizing one for thumbs too and

it only cost me around $10.00 at a Rite Aid. I of course mean this

to just be an " in the meantime solution " and am not suggesting this

be a permanent solution.

How are you feeling otherwise? Do you still need the meds for your

back pain?

By the way, I love reading your responses regarding childhood

development. 1. you crack me up! and 2. I am always blown away by

how obviously SMART you are. You seem to be blessed with the ability

to see beneath the layers so to speak. You're a remarkable young

woman. -hadley

>

> So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and

particularly

> my thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it as this really

long

> name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

> inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

>

> He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral

position but

> they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to see

if CMS

> will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there

are lots of

> things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't at

all!!!

>

> Info on it if interested:

> http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/DS00692

>

> --

> " Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings

rushing... " (AFI-

> Silver and Cold).

>

> my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter of

wings is

> within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

>

February 22, 2008

I had that in both wrists/thumbs when was about 6 months old.? Very

painful.? My doc said it was common in new moms, between picking kids up?resting

a lot of the weight on the thumbs, as well as opening lots of bottles.? It

started in my left -?they made me a hard brace and then I had it in my right.

When I went to the doc next, they wanted?to?put two hard braces on both?hands.?

I said, " You're insane, I have an infant to take care of " ? Besides, I was still

on active duty in the military and had to work every day (not that I don't still

have to work everyday!)?? I ended up with a soft brace on one, a hard brace on

the other for daytime, and hard braces for both to wear at night.? Though,

taking care of , I often went without one or the other during the day.?

They also had me taking Motrin and then Celebrex.? Eventually they did steriod

injections in the area.? I had both injected two times - about 60 days apart.?

That helped quite abit - though didn't totally resolve.? To this day I still

have a lot of pain in my wrists and thumbs, have a terrible time opening jars,

bottles of water, etc and frequently feel like I very little strength in my

hands (I often need to use two hands to pour a cup of coffee) - and I drop

things a lot for " no reason " .? I am so sorry that you are suffering with this -

when I first was being seen for it the pain was unbelievable - just picking

up, or holding him was difficult.?

Some of the braces I've seen at Walmart would help support the area, which is

all the ones made by my ortho did.? I hope you find some relief soon!

Val

Rob's Mom (10,systemic)

my wrists/thumb issue diagnosis

So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and particularly

my thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it as this really long

name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral position but

they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to see if CMS

will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there are lots of

things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't at all!!!

Info on it if interested:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/DS00692

--

" Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings rushing... " (AFI-

Silver and Cold).

my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter of wings is

within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

February 22, 2008

Issadora,

while my ortho has not called it by that name, from the description on the

website, it sounds very similar to what I have. (different from my osteo at

base of my thumbs....I have inflammatory as well)...my ortho injects every few

months and when it flares I have a hard brace i wear that immobiles the wrist

and thumb but as Beth says allows my other fingers to move. Did the dr at least

give you an injection for some relief?

What is with San Diego county?!?! I cannot believe nothing has been done for

you yet. Would they allow you to see an orthopedist for this? The orthopedists

generally keep stock of splints and such in the office...

Isn't there anyone higher up the pecking order you can plead your case to? This

is ridiculous...this has been going on since what, October? earlier? My heart

really goes out to you and I hope you get some relief soon.

Issadora <FlyfreeIzzie@...> wrote: So I went

to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and particularly

my thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it as this really long

name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral position but

they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to see if CMS

will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there are lots of

things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't at all!!!

Info on it if interested:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/DS00692

--

" Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings rushing... " (AFI-

Silver and Cold).

my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter of wings is

within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

February 22, 2008

Izzie:

I had the same thing last June. They prescribed prednisone and gave me one of

those braces in the ER. I was shopping this week trying to find an inexpensive

Air Cast brace for my elbow that my OT recommended and saw these in several drug

stores, about $10 - $12. They were nearly identical to the one I got at the ER.

The brace, as Beth says, helped immensely in calming down the inflammation and

resting the joint.

I hope that you get some relief soon.

Have you thought about writing to your state's congressmen and senators?

Although long overdue, I got a call today from another congressman's office

about Rob. I had written to them back in October, but found a listening ear and

also was able to tell them about some other insurance issues I've run into in my

job (Medicare replacement policies being sold to the elderly and not being

completely honest with them about the coverage, I feel that the insurance

companies are preying on the elderly).

Anyway, if you haven't already done it, I think that getting some political

people involved in your situation might be helpful? Sorry if you've already

tried this and it didn't help...I really hate how 'the system' has treated

you...you deserve so much better, everyone does....

How is your back these days??

and Rob 18 JAS

my wrists/thumb issue diagnosis

>

> So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and

> particularlymy thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it

> as this really long

> name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

> inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

>

> He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral

> position but

> they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to

> see if CMS

> will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there

> are lots of

> things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't

> at all!!!

>

> Info on it if interested:

> http://www.mayoclin ic.com/health/ de-quervains- tenosynovitis/

> DS00692

> --

> " Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings

> rushing... " (AFI-

> Silver and Cold).

>

> my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter

> of wings is

> within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

>

February 23, 2008

*Thank you all for your comments. I'm going to try and answer everyones

inquiries in this email.. lol

I went to CVS and they have those thumb/wrist splints that allow your

fingers movement but they are like 18 bucks each so can't do that right now

but going to see fi CMS comes through with ordering the splints for me.

See, the issue isn't really San Diego so much... it's the system.. it's the

health issues.. I don't have insurance... I have County medical services

which isn't medical (medicaid) .. it's SUPPOSED to keep my chronic

conditions stable.... yeah right.... lol.... so I havent been able to see a

Rheumatologist now in 1.5 years despite having referals nor many other

because.... well they wom't call and you have to call these CMS people and

chase them down.. if you don't they don't bother..... when You do bother

them.. eveything takes months of paperwork. Like I finally got to the pain

clinic but than the pain clinic said CMS has their hands tied because they

can't do any procedures for me without preapproval which goes back into that

forever process. So it's exacerbating. *

**

*Of course, If i just went and had a baby and was unwed... I would be

convered but No, i went to college.. gee... excuuuse me... *

**

*So now, I wait for SSI to decide and i dont know. I have thought about

contacting senators but stil keep trying to see what will happen with the

SSI case first! I will be attempting to apply for medi-cal again but in the

past, they have denied me so i dont know.

My back issues are still there but they arent as severe. I still am having

sciatica especialy when my long term pain meds (morphine sulfate or ms

contin) fall out but not constantly. It still limites my walking. Having

robaxin helps a load.... that with the ms contin is a great mix for me. I do

need something like PT but for now, ive given up on that.

They didn't inject my thumb but this doctor is only my primary and he's very

limited by CMS. I would think they had splints too but no. He did check. The

big issue is that I can't drive my scooter with my hand wraped.. they wraped

a finger splint along the lower thumb joint and aced it.... LOL..... that

was their makeshift stabalization!!!!! And I couldnt drive my scooter. I

tried using my left hand but it was darn scary! LOL. So what im doing is

using my regular night splints and ace bandaging my thumb like they did it

for night times. It drives me mad. I already had issues of taking my splints

off in sleep but this is what im trying. *

**

*I have a friend whose mother is an OT and she is going to talk to her so

its possible i might get splints from her. Her mom has already checked out

my hands in the past.... lol..... noting they were tight and was

talking/asking about my splints and if I used wheelchair gloves when I use

my manual chair so maybe she will be able to help me.

I try to always belive that things will work out one way or another and most

likely for the best. Just not as soon as I need it but ive been dealing with

this thumb for a few months now. The left is mild but the right is much

worse. It's hard to open car doors if they are made a certain way and

holding things. I often forget because its a reflex to just reach but Im

learning!!! Ouch!! *

**

*Thank you all for your care and love. I appreciate it. I also love to learn

and thanks for the complements. things like that helps me through my down

days and eeyorenesqe that tends to lay beside me. I have a real angst filled

punk side to me that I have to calm down. My therapist has to work with

that.... hahah. *

**

*In general my pain is better controlled with the meds. I had quit doing my

veggie juicing.. thats carrots, beets, dandonlion greens (only 2 cause im

allergic a bit.. LOL), ginger.... I have about 8-12 oz of this every single

day. I quit due to price cause it all has to be organic.. I wont drink

pesiticides.. LOL... well the narcotics i take started messing with my

stomach and i was getting headaches every single day so I had get back to

the juicing and that got me back on track... lol. *

**

*Think thats all for now... *

**

*Ciao*

**

On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 9:49 PM, <snooksmama@...> wrote:

> Izzie:

> I had the same thing last June. They prescribed prednisone and gave me one

> of those braces in the ER. I was shopping this week trying to find an

> inexpensive Air Cast brace for my elbow that my OT recommended and saw these

> in several drug stores, about $10 - $12. They were nearly identical to the

> one I got at the ER.

> The brace, as Beth says, helped immensely in calming down the inflammation

> and resting the joint.

> I hope that you get some relief soon.

> Have you thought about writing to your state's congressmen and senators?

> Although long overdue, I got a call today from another congressman's office

> about Rob. I had written to them back in October, but found a listening ear

> and also was able to tell them about some other insurance issues I've run

> into in my job (Medicare replacement policies being sold to the elderly and

> not being completely honest with them about the coverage, I feel that the

> insurance companies are preying on the elderly).

> Anyway, if you haven't already done it, I think that getting some

> political people involved in your situation might be helpful? Sorry if

> you've already tried this and it didn't help...I really hate how 'the

> system' has treated you...you deserve so much better, everyone does....

> How is your back these days??

> and Rob 18 JAS

>

> my wrists/thumb issue diagnosis

> >

> > So I went to the doctor again today about my stupid wrists and

> > particularlymy thumbs, especialy right side and he diagnosed it

> > as this really long

> > name... De Quervain's Tenosynovitis which I guess is common with

> > inflammatory Arthritis. Anyone ever have this?

> >

> > He looked for a splint to keep my thumb and wrist in a neutral

> > position but

> > they didnt have any and I can't afford to buy one sooo have to

> > see if CMS

> > will ever truly order one for me. They are supposed to but there

> > are lots of

> > things they were supposed to get done long ago that they haven't

> > at all!!!

> >

> > Info on it if interested:

> > http://www.mayoclin ic.com/health/ de-quervains- tenosynovitis/

> > DS00692

> > --

> > " Life- Like the flutter of wings... feel your hollow wings

> > rushing... " (AFI-

> > Silver and Cold).

> >

> > my Flight in life is a metamorphosis of growth and this flutter

> > of wings is

> > within me awaiting to find a space to find it's flow...

> >

February 23, 2008

Issadora,

my guess is you have already answered this, so sorry if it is a repeat, and I am

not meaning to pry, so you don't have to actually answer here, but why can't you

get medi-cal until the SSDI comes through? You are right, if you were having a

baby, you would be attended to immediately....

I did not realize it was a primary care dr you saw, and I would not expect them

to have splints and such at their office....I forgot the issue with seeing a

rheumy....sorry.

Wish I could do something to help...thinking of you...

Issadora <FlyfreeIzzie@...> wrote: *Thank

you all for your comments. I'm going to try and answer everyones