MerriMagic Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hiya folks. I'm putting this post in Chit-Chat so it doesn't bog down the mini-talk forum. Thanks for your concern over my hand, I do appreciate it. Some of you have suggested a brace, or drugs. I take a wicked cocktail of drugs, already, for the RSD hand...among them some powerful opiods that would deck most people, totally knocking them out. I had one doctor tell me that if he took as much as I did, he'd be intubated and in a coma. I also use an anti-inflammatory although infrequently, because using it on top of everything else usually kills my stomach. I'd rather not die of a perforated ulcer. Using a brace: Well first I have to be able to put it on and take it off. I can't do that without help. I've broken so many teeth using my mouth instead of my original non-functional hand. That absolutely has to stop. I'm running out of teeth. As long as I'm able, I need to be able to help myself perform everyday bodily functions, also to pick up a dish, put it in the sink, hold a glass, etc..and yes, a brace would help somewhat..but they are even more limiting in so many ways, and unfortunately, to brace it would actually invite RSD to move in and take over the good hand. At all costs, I must move it, although slowly and without strain. RSD throws a monkey wrench into so many treatments. It's still not well understood, and so many times, when doctors prescribe a treatment for another injury, it's a "Damned if you do, damned if you don't", prospect. Read here about RSD Typing is my biggest enemy, which is why I have Dragon Naturally Speaking, now known simply as Dragon. But the program I have is old, and clunky, with many limitations, so I have cheated and used my hand to type. Obviously I won't be able to do that, any more. Also, building this new house has been a challange. The extra work on the dollhouses has taxed my hand to the limit, even with Zeb's help. Once it's completed, most of my CT may well go away. I'll be back to doing simpler stuff. But for the moment, I'll have to work in fits and starts, with long periods of resting. The good news is, there's not much heavy work left on the house. I need to put the roof on, and the doors. I can't trust Zeb to do the roof for me, it won't fit right if he tries, because he's so impatient he tries to cheat with shortcuts, and ignores the preciseness of fitting parts together, which would ruin the house. So I'll have to be patient, and just wait the hand out. When I'm better, the roof will go on, and no sooner, ack. In the meantime I can just watch the rest of you I may not post as frequently and my posts will likely be shorter in length, but I'll be here. Again, thanks for your concern. Jeanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggi Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I feel for you. My daughter suffered with this in her foot. Thankfully her symptoms have abated and she has been able to come off all the pain meds they originally had her on. I wish you the best and hope that your hand will soon be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bea Killion Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 My friend's mother suffered from this also. I hope your hand improves real soon, so you can get back to your minis. I love the work you did on your Chantilly. It's looks like it was professionally done, flawless. I really am in awe of your talent. Looking forward to seeing the work you do on you ESTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerriMagic Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks for the wishes of recovery. Unfortunately, my condition is long past hope for that. If you can diagnose RSD during the first six to nine months of it taking hold, you have a chance for recovery. But so many doctors actually don't know what it is, or don't understand how to treat it. Same for physical therapists. Many physical therapists actually worsen it with their treatments. My RSD is over 15 years old, and at that time, literally only a handful of doctors understood it. By the time it was discovered that RSD was what I had, I was over a year into it. I had gone from doctor to doctor, and none of them recognised it. My prognosis is dismal. It's permanent. The arm and hand are a total loss. If there is any other injury, (and RSD views surgeries as injuries), there is a 90% likelihood that the RSD will 'migrate' to the affected surgery site. This even includes such 'injuries' as toothaches, sprains, etc. The pain in advanced cases has been likened to bone cancer pain. So I feel like I'm walking on glass, all the time. I take my drugs, do biofeedback excercises, and try hard to distract myself. But I'm stuck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merry Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I'm so sorry that you have pain. I usually don't answer a post with a whole bunch of words; it saves my hands. Of course, it makes me look like a moran! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I am sorry. I deal with pain everyday to so I sympathize with you in that regard. I have missed something though..What is going on with your good hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Heidi, Jeanne mentioned her good hand was bothering her in one of the General Forum threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLyn M. Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Without sounding like I'm "pooh-poohing" the severity of your affliction....it sounds like there's hope of it diminishing.So I'm send many prayers,positive thoughts and Best Wishes for a recovery..and soon!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoalaSam Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Oh Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear that you suffer so much with your hands. My what a terrible affliction. Praying for strength in your good hand. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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