Any arm chair physicians out there?

[eaglesprings]

My husband has been single handedly trying to fix our garage door. It seems he worked on it for two days and a night, straight! Well, needless to say, he's worn himself out, and now has a very painful right hand and elbow. His three middle fingers are swollen and numb. We've tried pain relievers with anti-inflammatories (arthritis strength), rubs and ointments, heat pads, Epson Salt soaks, and ice packs. He's still uncomfortable, and sleeping A LOT!!!! He talked earlier about going to the doctor, but is now asleep, again.

Any other home remedy ideas, or ideas in general, that we haven't thought about?


(Cross post from Woodlands Underground)

[Wilson]

Arnica, if there is not any broken skin, but it might be too late for that. The numbness needs to be checked out by a doctor, ASAP, imnsho.

[Candleman]

His three middle fingers are swollen and numb
DAMN there has been plenty of times I wish I had 3.:)
Numbness and swelling is not good....see a Dr.

[eaglesprings]

He's at the Oaks now. Hope they are as good with him as they've been with the girls.

It took the girls coming home from school to get him to go! I was available all day long to go with him, but he chose to sleep! (Or, couldn't help but sleep!)

I'm somewhat worried, but I really think he just overworked himself. He has a tendency to do that, then expects immediate results from our home remedies. Even though I'm a firm believer in home remedies, they do not provide immediate results! I'm thankful he's at a doctor's office now.

Wilson, what is Arnica?

And, thanks for the input, ya'll! If I could find a way to make this man stop overworking himself, I'd be a happy camper!

[Wilson]

Arnica is an herb - I like it in a cream form - it's good for muscle injuries and helps prevents bruising. But you have to put it on quickly and can NOT use it if there is broken skin.

I wouldn't worry about him - it's probably a pinched nerve, but you really don't want to mess around with it - a little problem now could be a big problem as he gets older.

[eaglesprings]

The Oaks was too busy for his tastes, so he went to Dr. D's. Ugh!

[Wilson]

I was afraid that you were going to say he came home and gave up! At least he'll get it looked at. Keep us posted.

[eaglesprings]

Oh, he is in a horrible mood! Dr. D's prescribed a pain med (anti-inflammatory), but found nothing wrong with his hand. He went to Walgreen's to get it filled, they told him to come back in two hours to pick it up, and when he went back, he was informed they were out of that med. So, now, he's gone to some Walgreen's on 2920 for his script.

I'm trying to figure out how to load this man that is twice my size into the car tomorrow to take him to a "real doctor." (Probably against his will!)

[Wilson]

I'd probably wait and see how it is tomorrow morning, if he does take that anti-inflammatory tonight. Still, it wouldn't hurt to go to the doctor - especially when the doc tonight was you-know-who!

[MomTimesFive]

Who is Dr. D?

[Wilson]

http://www.woodlandsonline.com/cdps/cditem.cfm?nid=6593

There are many Urgent Care places in the area. This is the only one we avoid.

[eaglesprings]

http://www.woodlandsonline.com/cdps/cditem.cfm?nid=6593

There are many Urgent Care places in the area. This is the only one we avoid.


He's got less pain, but is just worn out! We checked the prescription info, and it appears the diuretic they prescribed doesn't always "hee and haw" with the anti-inflammatory they prescribed. There are other drug interaction warnings on the label, and he does have some other prescription meds, although I'm not sure if these are in those categories or not. He is better, can get up and work on the stupid garage door for about 5 minutes, but then has to lay down again. He is miserable (and making me miserable!).

I've got him convinced to go to our family physician tomorrow, IF I can get him in tomorrow on short notice. He won't see a PA, and in this case, I don't blame him. In the meantime, he's not going to take the diuretic anymore, and will just stick with the anti-inflammatory.

It almost sounds like some sort of blood poisoning with the fatigue and such. But, Dr. D's did a blood test.

It's just one of those times that I wish I had a magic wand and could make it all better!

[cgwoolf]

Nah prob no blood poisoning but the diuretic is probably the culprit. and that can be very dangerous - losing potassium or sodium can cause severe problems. The swelling and numbness is probably pinched nerve or injured tendons or ligaments. The anti-inflammatory will probably help more than anything if either of these problems.

I hope things are better today.

[Carpe Diem]

How's he doing today?

[eaglesprings]

How's he doing today?

Much better! Thanks for asking. He's not near as worn out, and he's up and about doing a few things. I think the anti-inflammatory is helping, and stopping the diuretic was the right thing to do.

[Wilson]

Why was he Rx'd a diuretic for this?

I'm glad he's feeling better :).

[eaglesprings]

Why was he Rx'd a diuretic for this?

I'm glad he's feeling better :).


Well, consider where he went. :confused: Even more interesting is the diuretic info contained a warning to not take it with an anti-inflammatory without a doctor's supervision. Of course, we should have read that before he took it.

[Wilson]

Dr. Dumbass strikes again!

[eaglesprings]

Yeah, Wilson. LOL!

Thought I'd give you an update. Dr. D's anti-inflammatory did do a bit of good, but he's still had some problems. Stopping the diuretic helped his grogginess. He went to a specialist (ortho?) this week, who sent him to a neurologist. Tests showed the whole problem is indeed Carpel Tunnel, which he's known about for years now. Went back to ortho doc today and got a shot, but it turns out the surgery to correct this is much simplier than it was a few years ago. It's a day surgery, and might not call for any recovery time in his line of work. "Might not." He'll, of course, still have to take it easy, but he won't have to be off work for weeks, as we had feared. I know he doesn't want to go through it, but I'm really trying to encourage him to go ahead and get the surgery as soon as possible. (And, lay off "his projects" for a while!)

[Wilson]

Oh wow... it all comes back to the Carpal Tunnel! That's interesting! I'd like to know if he does go for the surgery and how it works out for him. Did they give him a steroid shot or what? Keep us posted.

[eaglesprings]

Oh wow... it all comes back to the Carpal Tunnel! That's interesting! I'd like to know if he does go for the surgery and how it works out for him. Did they give him a steroid shot or what? Keep us posted.

I think it was cortisone, Wilson. I'm pretty sure that's what he said. But, the doctor is encouraging him to get the surgery. He's going to keep having problems until he does. (Heck, they've been worse this time around, but he's been battling these things for years!)

[Carpe Diem]

Cortisone shots are wonderful. I have had them in my foot and they were a lifesaver.

[eaglesprings]

Cortisone shots are wonderful. I have had them in my foot and they were a lifesaver.

lol! Husband thought they were wonderful, too, but a couple of years ago, Doc said, "no more. Next step is surgery." Evidently, you just can't keep getting cortisone shots on request forever. We adopted a fish oil regime, and he was fine for a while, but he's been using that arm more than normal, lately. Fish oil can keep things working, but it's not a cure all. He's gonna have to have the surgery. Maybe he could have postponed it a little longer if he had done a few other "healthy living" things, but the fat lady has sung.

Our biggest surprise was this surgery is not really the big scare we thought it was. Out patient, 15 minutes, choice of whether you want a local or general anesthetic, time off work depends, and he probably won't need it. May have to play that one by ear, and he'll need to not go knock himself out on the house for a while!

He's been putting up with Carpel Tunnel since we've married. We've done all the natural things we can do. It's just nuts for him to keep dealing with pain, (and being a general pain in the process!) I hope he doesn't postpone this!

[TXrose]

My hubby had the carpal tunnel surgery just about 3 years ago or so. He only had a very small incision and was back to work the very next day. He could not lift things over a certain weight for so many weeks but he doesn't have the pain he had in that hand. And also I don't hear the complaining about the pain.

[cgwoolf]

My neurologist told me that my carpal tunnel was so severe now that if I did not have the surgery I would lose the use of my right arm - meaning not really "lose" it but that muscles would start to atrophy such that I no longer have strength to do anything. The pain has been unbearable for months as I put it off. But now I do at least have the name of a specialist in TW and he is on my approved dr list with my insurance. I am now awaiting for the authorized referral to make an appt with him. I knew the surgery was much improved but I'm afraid I will still lose many weeks as far as playing golf...and what about the computer? My job is all computer work - which explains why I have carpal tunnel doesn't it?

[eaglesprings]

My neurologist told me that my carpal tunnel was so severe now that if I did not have the surgery I would lose the use of my right arm - meaning not really "lose" it but that muscles would start to atrophy such that I no longer have strength to do anything. The pain has been unbearable for months as I put it off. But now I do at least have the name of a specialist in TW and he is on my approved dr list with my insurance. I am now awaiting for the authorized referral to make an appt with him. I knew the surgery was much improved but I'm afraid I will still lose many weeks as far as playing golf...and what about the computer? My job is all computer work - which explains why I have carpal tunnel doesn't it?

Who are you seeing? Husband has been super happy with Diamanti (not sure if I've spelled that name right).

Husband doesn't do a lot of computer work, so it might be different for you. He just told my husband he shouldn't do anything like push ups after the surgery, but I'm sure if the doctor knew exactly what all he does around the house with his ongoing construction projects, he'd nix some of those, too. You may be able to do more than you think, though, and sooner! Just wait to see what the doc says.

[TXrose]

My neurologist told me that my carpal tunnel was so severe now that if I did not have the surgery I would lose the use of my right arm - meaning not really "lose" it but that muscles would start to atrophy such that I no longer have strength to do anything. The pain has been unbearable for months as I put it off. But now I do at least have the name of a specialist in TW and he is on my approved dr list with my insurance. I am now awaiting for the authorized referral to make an appt with him. I knew the surgery was much improved but I'm afraid I will still lose many weeks as far as playing golf...and what about the computer? My job is all computer work - which explains why I have carpal tunnel doesn't it?


My husband's job is computer work. His surgery was actually 5 years ago, doesn't seem like it was that long ago. But he was able to go back the next day and work on the computer, they just didn't want him lifting anything heavy for 6 weeks. He had some kind of brace he used for a few weeks after the surgery but other than lifting he could resume normal activities the very next day.

[cgwoolf]

Oh good - that does make me feel better. I'm waiting for the referral to be authorized so I can make appt for consultation. The guy the neurologist recommended was Dr. Munir Shah - located somewhere in TW - I forgot exactly where.

[TXrose]

It made a huge difference in the pain he felt. He no longer has pain in that hand and it was done at least 5 years ago so it was worth it in my book to stop the complaining about the pain in his hand. I know someone who had the old surgery where they inscision was nearly as long as the lower part of his arm and he couldn't do anything for 6-8 weeks. Not true with the new surgery. His right hand was pretty bad. They basically told him he needed to do it right then or there was chance if he didn't that it would get to the point that the surgery wouldn't help him.

[eaglesprings]

Husband called today and scheduled his surgery. If all goes well, blood work okay, and such, he'll have it in less than two weeks. I'm so glad! He's put up with this for too long, and he is so into his handiman type work, he really needs pain free hands!

[FamilyGal]

but the fat lady has sung

I beg your pardon, I have NOT sung yet and if I did, Simon would kick me off of the stage! :biglaugh:

[eaglesprings]

Family Gal, I had to go back and look if you were quoting me or someone else. LOL! You are far from the fat lady, girlee!