I'm going to go to Physical Therapy and see if they can give me some pointers on how to stretch properly and what not to do. I'm on hold.

 

[QUOTE=Kyras,Jul 8 2008, 01:24 PM] I'm going to go to Physical Therapy and see if they can give me some pointers on how to stretch properly and what not to do.

 

Patty: Give yourself some time to adjust/blood level to the dosage. Use OTCs as necessary. In the longer run, take as little meds as necessary. Do one other thing. Do whatever you can to relieve stress in your life, especially the type of stress that annoys and lingers for days or longer. The most successful people dealing with RA are those who also are able to deal with stress and thus limit the frequency of flareups. It works for a lot of people; it's a cheap approach; and I'm not trying to be a wise guy. It's pretty serious actually, and I will be thinking of you and your success in this matter.

 

and I think our Patty has endured a lot of stress. I also think the worst of it is over and good things are now happening.

 

Patty- I can't recall what sort of doc is helping you with this

Relating to my carpal tunnel/ hand numbness, I had a excellent session yesterday with a new Physical Medicine doc (sometimes also called a Physiatrist...sp?). He's located at Lankenau Hosp, which is a major hosp about 10 min from our house; worked w/Kathy a couple yrs ago on her CTS problem.

My apptmt was at 3:30 and he was right on time. I described ALL of my minor/major problems with muscular/skeleton/nervous syst connection...including CTS, some left hip pain, a couple foot problems, etc. Turns out that I am a pretty strong candidate for CTS surgery on my left hand...subject to EMG/NCV testing later this month in his office. I am OK with this direction b/c the continual numbness in 3 fingers of my left hand has scared me. He says the surgery has an extremely high success rate; but inaction for CTS will lead to muscle deterioration (already some of this in my left hand only) and further problems. I already have an initial apptmt with a hand surgeon the day after the tests noted above....so expect that I'll have the procedure done later in the summer.

He also explained to me why I probably have hip pain....suggesting that it's just age-related arthritis. He prescribed an xray to check it out, and this was taken care of 1/2 hour later in the hospital's Radiology dept....not busy at 4 pm In summary, I was extremely impressed with this doc and his ability to 'cut to the chase' and give me good feedback. It WAS the end of the day, but he spent at least 30 minutes with me....maybe 40. The office also has a Phys Therapy dept.....in case rehab is needed for any physical problem.

Suggestion for PK: If you haven't already seen a Physical Medicine doc, I would highly recommend a visit. If you need any referrals, I could put you in touch with my friend Neil...the one that hosted us in Feb who lives in the N end of San Diego. He's the head of the main Internal Med practice at the UC San Diego Medical School.....a mother lode of expertise IMHO. I'm sure that he would talk to you and provide any appropriate referrals.

We can all start up the Hobbling Club.....
....just a slight downgrade from the Hiking Club....

 

[QUOTE=dlq04,Jul 8 2008, 01:47 PM]This all started with this

 

John, my life is pretty stress free now days. Thank you for your advice. My doctor did tell me to give the Plaquenil some time. I'm about three weeks into it now. Ibuprofen does help but if I cut back on it I feel it.

 

Jerry, my Family Practice, primary care, physician referred me to a rheumatologist. So, he is the one handling it now, Dr. Chang. BTW, he went to medical school in Pittsburgh. Do you think seeing a Physical Medicine doctor would be of any help, when I've got a rheumatologist, already? BTW, I have an appointment with Physical Therapy tomorrow. I hope to learn the best ways to get the joints loosened up in the morning.

I'm glad to hear you've got a handle on your Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Andy (my ex) had it and had both wrists sliced. It was successful. Goes with the territory sometimes, if you work with your hands a lot. I would think yours might get better now that you're done with the deck. You must have had it before you worked on the deck?

 

Yep....have had the tingling and/or numbness for 6-12 months, but it was periodic before the deck-building. I've been wearing a wrist brace at night for at least 6 months. The Phys Med doc agreed with me that the 6 days of 8-10-12 hour hard work sessions (prying up the old 10' long floorboards, carrying new and old back and forth, hammering nails, digging foundation for the new steps, etc) probably set off the change 2 weeks ago to a constant low level numbness of the 3 fingers....related to severing of small nerve filaments tied to those areas. The numbness (imagine your finger "pads" feeling like sandpaper ) does seem to be reducing....albeit very slowly.

About the Phys Med doc: My primary care doc was going to send me directly to the Hand Surgeon but Kathy was so impressed with Dr Siegfried that she wanted me to see him first. In your situation, I guess that the Rheumotologist would know best....assuming you are happy with his ability to convey concepts to you.

 

^Yes, I like this guy. He's very personable and friendly. I've emailed him twice, and he replied within a couple hours. I'll see him next Monday for the second time and go from there.

I understand CTS. I got it after doing lots of filing for my kids' teachers. I wore a wrist brace and took ibuprofen, and it went away after a while.