carpal tunnel syndrome

[donna1990]

I am not complaing, just venting, this is minor to what our friends are going through.
I know that I have carpal tunnel syndrome, can hardly use my left hand, but keep putting off seeing a Doctor. Still trying to end the process with the cataracts. Was suppose to have my final appointment 10 days ago and the Doctor's office has called and had to cancel 3 times because the Doctor has emergencies. When I do get in, I am there 2-4 hours. I am still on the prednisolone, which is suppose to be used until the first visit, 6 times a day, my first vist was suppose be 10 days ago. It has to be gradually cut down, well, the DR can't see me so I am cutting it down. It is a steriod, side effects, bad taste in the mouth, heart palputations, etc. This has cost me out of my pocket, with ins. $3.000.
I am so sick of these Doctors and what they charge. :warning::warning:

[Janet]

Oh Donna...I don't know if I would put up with that. I think I would have to have a discussion and see if he's just too busy to be my doctor. I do hope you can get in and get everything taken care of. I can't believe he's put you off 3 times.

[Gina]

Donna I feel for you. I to have carpal tunnel in both my hands. I have to say I have been feeling pretty good knock wood for a few weeks. My doctor told me to take vitamin B-6 every day and when I have numbness or pain during the night I sleep with wrist splints they really help. I don't know how bad your hand is but I am trying the above for as long as I can. I also have a mouse pad with the raised wrist part because I am on computer a lot due to my job. It helps...

As far as your dr. I would find another, no doctor should cancel as many times or make you wait hrs. Sorry there are plenty of mds out there.. Good luck.

[judy]

I'm sorry you don't feel well Donna. I hope it doesn't take long until you find a good treatment plan.

I agree with everyone about changing doctors. Prednisone is a very powerful medication and you shouldn't be on it for more than 10 days! He sounds incompetent. Please don't stick with him.

[DianaB]

Donna, you might try to get your appointment as early in the morning as you can. I would think that there would be fewer interuptions at that time.

Gina mentioned wrist splints. Have you tried them? You can get them at the drugstore or Wal-mart. They're wraps that velcro on your wrist with a metal piece that fits in the palm of your hand to hold your wrist at a certain angle. Also try taking Ibuprophen every 4 hours for about 3 days and see if you don't get some relief then. You probably have some inflamation in it and the ibuprophen will help with that and the wrist splint will help too until you can have it looked at by a doctor. I'm sure that some B-6 vitamins won't hurt either. I hope that you get to feeling better on all counts, Donna.

[Janet]

I do the same thing Diana....all appointments...my family's and my mothers are made for between 9 and 11:00 AM. Less chance of emergencies and them running late. Plus I call my Dr. about an hour before my appt. and see if they are running on time. I don't want to sit in a waiting room with a bunch of sick people.

[donna1990]

Oh Donna...I don't know if I would put up with that. I think I would have to have a discussion and see if he's just too busy to be my doctor. I do hope you can get in and get everything taken care of. I can't believe he's put you off 3 times.

He is one of the best in the SE, people will wait for hours to see him, (I was not aware of that before I saw him", but after this next visit, I am done. He has to release me because if something should happen he would not be responsible. My next appt is Thurs., if I have to go back, I will request another DR. There are 10-15 in that group.
This has been $8,000 for 2 surgeries that takes him 10 min. per eye.
I told them once that if we had to wait for hours, that he should quit taking new patients, they think I am a bitch.

[Janet]

Mine don't mind me calling ahead to see how things are running. If they are running 30 minutes behind...I don't show up for another 30 minutes. They are very good at judging for me too. I really like my Dr. for the most part. I hope you get everything straightened out.

[donna1990]

Donna I feel for you. I to have carpal tunnel in both my hands. I have to say I have been feeling pretty good knock wood for a few weeks. My doctor told me to take vitamin B-6 every day and when I have numbness or pain during the night I sleep with wrist splints they really help. I don't know how bad your hand is but I am trying the above for as long as I can. I also have a mouse pad with the raised wrist part because I am on computer a lot due to my job. It helps...

As far as your dr. I would find another, no doctor should cancel as many times or make you wait hrs. Sorry there are plenty of mds out there.. Good luck.

Thanks for telling me, I will try the Vitamins, I got out my wrist splints last night and slept with it, will keep doing that. Mine is in the left hand and I am right handed. My friends thought it was due to me on the computer so much using the mouse.:D
This hit me so fast, started itching so bad between my ring and little finger, but the itch was deep down so that there was no relief. Then it started tingeling, then numb, some sharp pains that go up to my elbow. Lost strength, tried to pick up a salad bowl and dropped it. Is yours that bad?
If not, guess I will make a Dr's appt.
Thanks again.

[donna1990]

I'm sorry you don't feel well Donna. I hope it doesn't take long until you find a good treatment plan.

I agree with everyone about changing doctors. Prednisone is a very powerful medication and you shouldn't be on it for more than 10 days! He sounds incompetent. Please don't stick with him.


They told me that because it is not oral that I would be just fine. I don't agree. The first surgery was in Aug. and I am still suppose to use 4 drop a day but I cut it to two, tomorrow one, then none. I bet I sleep 10-12 hours a day. Have never done that. Guess I will do a little more research on it.

[donna1990]

Donna, you might try to get your appointment as early in the morning as you can. I would think that there would be fewer interuptions at that time.

Gina mentioned wrist splints. Have you tried them? You can get them at the drugstore or Wal-mart. They're wraps that velcro on your wrist with a metal piece that fits in the palm of your hand to hold your wrist at a certain angle. Also try taking Ibuprophen every 4 hours for about 3 days and see if you don't get some relief then. You probably have some inflamation in it and the ibuprophen will help with that and the wrist splint will help too until you can have it looked at by a doctor. I'm sure that some B-6 vitamins won't hurt either. I hope that you get to feeling better on all counts, Donna.

I bet you guys can't believe what I am telling but it is true.
He starts seeing patients at 7:30 AM. All of the patients that had surgery the day I did, had to be seen by him the next moring, all scheduled at the same time, I was there 2 hours that time.:mad::mad::mad:
Thanks too you also.
Think that prednisolone has caused a little brain damage, could have combined all of this in one post.:eek:

[donna1990]

Wish I lived in a small town. Where is a good place to retire?

[gja1000]

He is one of the best in the SE, people will wait for hours to see him, (I was not aware of that before I saw him", but after this next visit, I am done. He has to release me because if something should happen he would not be responsible. My next appt is Thurs., if I have to go back, I will request another DR. There are 10-15 in that group.
This has been $8,000 for 2 surgeries that takes him 10 min. per eye.
I told them once that if we had to wait for hours, that he should quit taking new patients, they think I am a bitch.


You are not a bitch - his practice of making patients wait and wait is nonsense - he is trying to see too many patients - because many/most of them need that $8000, 20 minute surgery - he's making a pretty penny, huh!! The more cattle he can run through the chute - the more $1000 dollar bills he can stuff into his pocket (sorry, I am a nurse and I am very cynical about the practice of medicine) Also, if he's having that many emergencies - hmmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it.

I remember a lawyer who sat in a doctor's waiting room for an hour, then sent the doc a bill for $200 (or whatever, don't remember the amount) for an hour of his time.

The thing is that YOUR time is just as valuable as HIS time. Sometimes docs have that god complex and are just completely insensitive to their patients' needs. Yes of course, emergencies do happen OCCASIONALLY - not everyday. And multiple patients should NOT be scheduled at the same time. Makes me want to walk a picket line in front of his office - ENTER ONLY IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO WASTE!!!

[Tiramisu]

I hope you're getting the care you need and want.

I always make a point to tell my doctors what I think (AT THE END OF MY VISIT). My favorite line is, "You know, I could have been at work earning money to pay your bill, instead of sitting in your waiting room." This podiatrist is getting close to the worst I've had. It's not that he has so many patients. I defintely can't complain that he doesn't spend enough time with each patient. After waiting almost two hours once, I told him that he should put in computers so patients could work while waiting.

[donna1990]

You are not a bitch - his practice of making patients wait and wait is nonsense - he is trying to see too many patients - because many/most of them need that $8000, 20 minute surgery - he's making a pretty penny, huh!! The more cattle he can run through the chute - the more $1000 dollar bills he can stuff into his pocket (sorry, I am a nurse and I am very cynical about the practice of medicine) Also, if he's having that many emergencies - hmmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it.

I remember a lawyer who sat in a doctor's waiting room for an hour, then sent the doc a bill for $200 (or whatever, don't remember the amount) for an hour of his time.

The thing is that YOUR time is just as valuable as HIS time. Sometimes docs have that god complex and are just completely insensitive to their patients' needs. Yes of course, emergencies do happen OCCASIONALLY - not everyday. And multiple patients should NOT be scheduled at the same time. Makes me want to walk a picket line in front of his office - ENTER ONLY IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO WASTE!!!

:DI love what you are saying.
I knew this Doctor's Mother many years ago and they are very religious. He says that my surgery went so well because God was watching over me.
He always walks into the examing room with an apology or a compliment.
I am not a fool, think it is a game. I have always worn make-up, I am 60, and he tells me how beautiful I am without make up!!!!!!!
Wish you were here to help with the picket line. :warning:

[Gina]

Thanks for telling me, I will try the Vitamins, I got out my wrist splints last night and slept with it, will keep doing that. Mine is in the left hand and I am right handed. My friends thought it was due to me on the computer so much using the mouse.:D
This hit me so fast, started itching so bad between my ring and little finger, but the itch was deep down so that there was no relief. Then it started tingeling, then numb, some sharp pains that go up to my elbow. Lost strength, tried to pick up a salad bowl and dropped it. Is yours that bad?
If not, guess I will make a Dr's appt.
Thanks again.

The symptoms I experieced are mostly when I sleep. The first time it happened I would get pain in my fingers and that would wake me up and then numbness and tingeling. Lately I may wake up during the night with my no pain just numbness and tingeling it is a horrible feeling. I haven't gotten to the lost strength yet, maybe you should have yours checked out...

I hope the splints and b-6 will help. The dr. told me that B-6 is good for nerve endings so I try to take one every day. It is also great for aniexty or if you have problems sleeping the guy at the vitamin store told me .

Feel better!

[Janet]

Trouble sleeping huh...maybe I should buy a bottle of B-6 and stuff bottle and all in hubby's mouth...maybe it will stop the snoring so I can get some sleep....LOL

[Gina]

Trouble sleeping huh...maybe I should buy a bottle of B-6 and stuff bottle and all in hubby's mouth...maybe it will stop the snoring so I can get some sleep....LOL



Janet you do crack me up!!!! :sidesplit: :sidesplit: :sidesplit: :sidesplit:

[gja1000]

Trouble sleeping huh...maybe I should buy a bottle of B-6 and stuff bottle and all in hubby's mouth...maybe it will stop the snoring so I can get some sleep....LOL

AHEM Janet, I think we might have to come visit you in the pokey, if you actually enact this plan. I must admit though, it made me LAUGH OUT LOUD! :D (LOL just wouldn't do)

[Marilyn]

I have carpal tunnel in both hands. Have had a nerve study that confirmed this is the problem. The wrist splints have quit working and I need to have something done. A friend went to a chiropractor who treats carpal tunnel and had very good results, so I think I'll try seeing the same chiro before going for surgery. We've been spending so much time with my husband's health issues that mine have been put on the back burner. If I do end up having the surgery though, I'm definitely going to try to find the best hand specialist in Austin or Houston rather than someone around here. I know a woman who had several surgeries on her hands and still had problems. I'm willing to travel to get the best treatment to increase the probability of a good outcome.

Don't mess around with prednisone. I took it for several years for infertility issues, and as a result, I have no cartlidge in my jaw joints and have TMJ issues. I know a really, really good doctor in Houston, Texas for TMJ if anyone needs one. He's expensive, but worth every penny. I could barely open my mouth, and could only eat very soft foods until I found him and as a result of his treatment, I have no jaw pain. I do have to wear a special appliance in my mouth at night. I had to wear it all the time the first 3 months of treatment, which was horrible because I'm outside sales and it was really embarassing, but definitely worth it in the long run. My customers were really very understanding. Some of them thought I was wearing the new kind of braces without the wires.

Donna, so hope this all works out for you. About your wait time, I found from taking my elderly mother to doctor's appointments, that is seems doctors who cater more to the elderly have much longer wait times than doctors who cater to younger working people. It seems so unfair, because often older people are much more uncomfortable sitting in waiting rooms.

Wish you the best!!

[donna1990]

Sorry you have it in both hands.
The Prednisolone I am on are eye drops. Checked at MayoClinic and WebMD, not too many side effects other than a terrible taste.
I'm not elderly:cry:yet.:eek:
This Doctor operates on all ages the same day, all come into his office the next day at the same time and wait hours. The younger ones complain too.
Sure hope you can your health taken care of and how's your husband doing.

[Marilyn]

I'm not elderly:cry:yet.:eek:


Donna, I sincerely did not mean to imply that you are!!! Sorry, should have reread what I posted. When I took my mother to the eye doctor who did surgery, he seemed to work with more elderly people and other doctors I took her to like the urologist and pediotrist seemed to be the same way, most of the folks in their waiting rooms were older, and the wait times could be up to 2 hours.

By contrast, when I took my children to the pediatrician, or I went to a general practicioner or to the OB/Gyn, the wait time was seldom over 30 minutes.

My perception was that the older the average age of the patient, the longer the wait time.

Your not elderly at all, I just thought your doctor may cater to a more elderly clientele.

Just have to tickle my throat with my toes from time to time, I guess!!

[judy]

Donna,

Today is Thursday. Please let us knowhow your visit went. How are your eyes doing, by the way? I hope that you have 100% improvement!

[donna1990]

Donna,

Today is Thursday. Please let us knowhow your visit went. How are your eyes doing, by the way? I hope that you have 100% improvement!

Thanks Judy, have not made an appt. for cp yet, trying to get into the eye Doctor for my last check-up so that I can get a new prescription for reading glasses, lot of past posts, but it has taken 2 extra weeks for my final visit because they have to keep changing my appt.
I can see great at a distance, still a little blurry from the drops I have to put in.
Thanks Judy,
How are you doing.

[donna1990]

Marilyn, "tickle my throat with my toes from time to time"!!!!
You are funny.
Know need to apologize, just didn't want you to know how old I am. hehehe

[Nina]

I've had carpal tunnel in both hands for years. I have wrist splints to wear at night, and they really help alot. Also, I have splints to use when I'm doing alot of typing. I worked as a word processor, so I did alot of typing. Talk to your dr. about the higher dose Motrin. That usually helps, but not everyone can take it.

I know all about the bad side effects of Prednisone, so I can sympathize with you. I have Crohn's Disease, so it has been necessary for me to be on high doses on and off for years. I changed doctors several years ago, and he won't put me on Prednisone again. I have had alot of long-term effects from it. It's never good to be on it for long periods of time. There is a medication called Entocort which works like Prednisone but has way fewer side effects and is a bit safer.

You might want to change doctors or get a second opinion. Dealing with doctors is tough, especially if you can't get in when you need to. Take care and good luck to you.

[donna1990]

You guys will not believe this. Regarding

[gja1000]

You guys will not believe this. Regarding


WHAT??? We won't believe WHAT?? Your post got cut off!

[donna1990]

I was suppose to see the eye DR today, the 3rd time that it was changed, I called yesterday to confirm it because they usually call me and didn't. They said I was not scheduled for today, I had a fit and asked to have the Doctor call me. Have not heard anything. I am just going to stop the prednisolone. My final appt. was suppose to have been 3 weeks ago. DISGUSTED to say the least.

[judy]

OMG!!! Poor Donna! What are you planning to do?

[Janet]

I think I would be angry enough to turn him and his office into the medical board. You be very careful JUST stopping the prednisone. Don't want it to cause any ill effects.

[donna1990]

Well, they finally called, I got in at 1:15, out in 30 min. and released. 20/20 vision, just have to have reading glasses, HOOORAY. I have raised so much hell, they all looked at me like I had two heads, but was treated very nicely.
Thinking of Marilyn's, "tickle my tonsils", heard a good one today. Stuck my foot so far down my throat, that I bit my knee.