Guest guest Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 , I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand, and it really relieved that pain and numbness, but now the left needs the same thing, and I have refused it because I am a lousy surgery risk. If I weren't such a lousy risk, I would opt for a gastric bypass first, THEN worry about carpal tunnel. LOL My carpal tunnel surgery itself went well, but immediately afterward, I developed a bad case of Bell's Palsy (I didn't connect it to the surgery, but later on the Worker's Comp. judge DID...long story.), and then just a few weeks after that while I was still in physical therapy for the surgery, I was in an ambulance on my way to 13 weeks of intermittent medical incarcerations, IV antibiotics, and lots of slow and agonizing recovery time because of an abcess on my left kidney that had been misdiag- nosed as Australian Flu, twice. I was a mess, and the aforementioned WC judge put it all together when I appeared in her court. I was ready to sign off on the settlement being offered by the insurance carrier, I was too sick to care if it wasn't much. She just wiggled her eyebrows at me and said, "I am not allowed to give legal advice from the bench, but we have the forms for appeals and a list of WC attorneys who work on percentage of settlement, and you will find those things at the front reception desk." Wiggle, wiggle. I got the point, the opposition was fit to be tied, and after one year I ended up with a settlement large enough to pay off outstanding debts, and put some away for a rainy day. It helped when my income dropped to one third of normal once I was forced to retire due to complications of Lupus. I will be forever in the debt of that judge. Depending on your condition, the carpal tunnel surgery is fairly minor stuff, and I was only adversely effected because of my already precarious condition on several fronts. You might want to discuss all of this with your rheumy, before you make any decisions. Good luck, and keep us posted. Loving hugs, MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Hi , I happen to live on the Gulf Coast or pretty darn close to it anyway, bout 30 miles away from the beach. I live in the northwestern part of the panhandle of Florida. We have lived here for 18 years now and I can't think of a nicer place to live. True......it does get cold here from time to time but a seasonal change can be nice. Another reason I like it here is because it's not as congested as southern Florida. Our county is experiencing a growth boom right now though. They say our county, Okaloosa, is the fastest growing county in Florida. I think the biggest downfall of living here are probably the hurricanes. Next to the Keys, this is the second most likely place in Florida to get hit with a storm, so they say. Hey, better than a blizzard is what I think! Maggie would love it here. Hope your surgery goes well! Take care. Hugs.... Karol surgery again!? got bad news from my neurologist....my carpal tunnel is getting so bad, esp in my left hand, that i have to have surgery. having had two back surgeries i told her i dont use the 's' word. its so painful to type this...at work tho ill now be able to get voice activated software since its getting too hard to write, even with wrist supports.i am just hoping that after surgery after surgery (not to mention, you now, the other stuff, ra, apls,lupus, the other nerve stuff from my neck discs) i can still work. i cant afford to stop. up since 4am, since the neuro exam is like getting mugged by your doctor, and listening to the snow plows all night. at least the snow has stopped and i can get my dear pug maggie to her own doctor today. got to find out how to stop her form losing her eyesight in her right eye. she wants to move to florida. she is so mad at the snow that last night when we dressed all up and walked out into the three inches of fresh fallen snow., instead of playing like the other dogs on the blcok were (and the kids) she walk one step, one, squatted, peed and wanted back. she wants to live on the gulf coast.anyone live in a city on the gulf coast that they really like?hugs, leslie "The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2004 Report Share Posted January 28, 2004 Hi , In 1990 I had what was then referred to as "the new procedure for carpal tunnel." The incision was very small and pain was minimal. There is even a newer procedure now. Only problem I had was not being able to grip anything firmly or to push on anything with the heel of my hand for several months. Those were problems easily worked around. I had my left hand repaired in December and my right hand the following February (about 3 months apart). My best friend told me I better not have both hands fixed at once- - - "I may be your best friend, but no way I'm going to wipe your butt for you." I would never suggest anyone have both hands fixed at once. With living alone you may have difficulty with buttons, zippers, tying your shoes, etc., until you get some healing behind you. Only thing I can suggest is if your insurance will pay for physical therapy after surgery I would have ultrasound over the incision. I tend to scar really bad and thanks to ultrasound breaking up any scars that tried to form I am scar free - and the ultrasound felt good. Hugs - a B surgery again!? got bad news from my neurologist....my carpal tunnel is getting so bad, esp in my left hand, that i have to have surgery. having had two back surgeries i told her i dont use the 's' word. its so painful to type this...at work tho ill now be able to get voice activated software since its getting too hard to write, even with wrist supports.i am just hoping that after surgery after surgery (not to mention, you now, the other stuff, ra, apls,lupus, the other nerve stuff from my neck discs) i can still work. i cant afford to stop. up since 4am, since the neuro exam is like getting mugged by your doctor, and listening to the snow plows all night. at least the snow has stopped and i can get my dear pug maggie to her own doctor today. got to find out how to stop her form losing her eyesight in her right eye. she wants to move to florida. she is so mad at the snow that last night when we dressed all up and walked out into the three inches of fresh fallen snow., instead of playing like the other dogs on the blcok were (and the kids) she walk one step, one, squatted, peed and wanted back. she wants to live on the gulf coast.anyone live in a city on the gulf coast that they really like?hugs, leslie "The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.