Mary Kay

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03:02 pm: Further Aventures in the Health Industry
Well, after a really unsatisfactory interaction the hand and wrist guy ordered a test to determine if I really have carpal tunnel syndrome. That was this morning. Unlike most of the people who do medical tests he was both willing and able to tell me the results. I do indeed have moderate carapl tunnel on the right and mild on the left. He said that usually they recommend wearing braces and changing egonomics and mild NSAIDs for this level for a couple months and if that doesn't work...

That was the point at which I Interrupted to tell him I'd been wearing the braces for 2 full months and being careful about ergonomics for the last year.

So then I'll set you up an appointment with one of our surgeons, he finished.

I see the surgeon on Wednesday. Apparently the surgery for this condition has improved immensely in recent years. They may even be able to do it on an outpatient basis. We'll see, but it looks like at least the right wrist is going to have to have surgery. I am, of course, EXTREMELY right handed. The handout he gave me says it can take 3-4 weeks to be able to write or type comfortably, and you don't get full strength back for 10-12 weeks...

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From:[info]wiredferret
Date:September 8th, 2008 10:33 pm (UTC)
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My mom got both hands done (at different times), and it improved her quality of life vastly. I can't think of anyone who has gotten the surgery and regretted it. Mom says she wishes she had gotten it done sooner, since she did have some permanent muscle wasting.
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From:[info]timill
Date:September 8th, 2008 10:40 pm (UTC)
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it looks like at least the right wrist is going to have to have surgery. I am, of course, EXTREMELY right handed.

On the whole, it strikes me that these are probably connected rather than coincidental.

Best of luck, anyway...
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From:[info]smofbabe
Date:September 8th, 2008 11:11 pm (UTC)
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Yikes on the recup time but yay on the possibility of a sustained fix. Good luck with all of this.
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From:[info]maiac
Date:September 8th, 2008 11:43 pm (UTC)
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Sympathy!

I'm thinking it's a lot like knee replacement. The immediate aftermath sucketh mightily, but you'll be glad you did it.
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From:[info]holmes44
Date:September 9th, 2008 12:31 am (UTC)
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my friend has had both hands done and was pleased at the results.he was an out patient both times.i glad it is something you can fix.
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From:[info]mjlayman
Date:September 9th, 2008 01:52 am (UTC)
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Surgery to fix: Good.
Time without using your right hand/wrist: Bad.

Overall: Good.
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From:[info]antonia_tiger
Date:September 9th, 2008 06:10 am (UTC)
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As well as the well-known Dvorak keyboard layout, there are one-handed layouts, right and left. I'm pretty sure they come with Windows, and I'd be surprised if there wasn't something for Mac or Linux.

Trouble is that it's a whole different set of typing not-thinking to acquire.
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From:[info]gilraen2
Date:September 9th, 2008 02:42 pm (UTC)
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mary kay, i had surgery on my wrist this summer for a broken bone - but the surgical access is exactly the same as for carpal tunnel. believe them when they say you will not be able to type with that hand for three to four weeks. one handed typing is slow but possible.
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From:[info]farmgirl1146
Date:September 11th, 2008 06:43 pm (UTC)
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What's the next part of this story.
When do we get to meet the cats?
Sending lots of hugs and (doggie) kisses
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From:[info]marykaykare
Date:September 11th, 2008 08:04 pm (UTC)
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I'd love you to meet the cats. I'm booked for today, what are you doing tomorrow.

MKK
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From:[info]orbolus
Date:September 14th, 2008 07:27 am (UTC)

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Have ever considered an Tablet PC (or touch screen monitor)?
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