I'm still around

[SandyRN]

I've had a very, very hard few weeks and up until today had not even checked my email because I had no motivation to do ANYTHING as I've been in a lot of pain, my bladder is most unhappy, and I've had an uphill battle trying to find a decent psychiatrist for my daughter.

We went to see one, who was almost an hour from here, and he was a rude, insulting, condescending jerk and I didnt feel comfortable leaving my daughter alone in the room with him when he wanted to talk to her...the employee assistance people are looking out of network to find someone who will see her who has a good reputation, and is not a total freak. The therapist is great, but she's about 8 weeks pregnant and not feeling too well so she cancells on us frequently. sigh....

I'm so far behind in my reading and answering pm's, talking to my friends, etc....

Question....I've been having the strangest pains in my left hand, shooting pains in my fingers and hand and it comes and goes...when I have it it stops me dead in my tracks. Carpal tunnel? Arthritis? What could it be? No wrist pain, just in my fingers and hand... Just another freakish pain to add to the collection.

I think that I'm ok enough to handle coming back to the board...I just needed a break I guess, but of course I can never stay away. Sometimes I just totally retreat back inside myself and shut out the people I care about. I have missed everyone here and will have to take some time over the next few days to get caught up on my reading.

Hugs to everyone and I'll be around more.

Sandy

[traceann]

Oh Hi Sandy!! I am soooo happy to see you! I have missed you chickie! Ufortunately I must go get ready for work (boo hiss boo), but will be back in a bit.

I had a problem with my hand YEARS ago, thought it was carpal tunnel, ended up being the nerve in my elbow (the one between the bones there) was inflammed and I could only feel it in my hand and fingers! Weird! But, it was miserable, would bring me to tears, couldn't sleep and it would render my hand useless due to the pain. They gave me some anti-inflammatorys for arthritis and it cleared right up!!!

Be back soon!! So happy to see you!!!

Love
T

[SandyRN]

Tracey, I missed you too, very much!!! I'm glad to be here !!!

[emilyrose197377]

Back . It sounds like carpal tunnel to me . I have missed you.

[poetgirl]

Hi Sandy,

I'm sorry things have been so rough lately -- I'll say some extra prayers for you and your daughter. It can take some time to find a good therapist or psychiatrist, but once you do find one, it will be worth the effort. I don't know how some of these people who claim to be caring for people's emotional problems are the least compassionate people!

It's possible you are feeling referred pain from your elbow or shoulder -- it happens to me every now and then. (My weekly trips to my chiropractor and massage therapist help a lot with that.) I recently went through a bout of shoulder to wrist pain that finally resolved with help from holistic medicine and healing practices.

You may want to try doing some self-massage on your shoulder area, especially the area between your shoulder and neck. (Or better yet, get someone else to massage you!!) We tend to hold a lot of tension in those areas and can cause compression on your nerve roots coming out of your spinal column and through your shoulder joints. I also use a homeopathic arnica gel (there is also a cream version -- you can find it at health food stores or at Whole Foods) that helps reduce muscle inflammation and tightness when I do the self-massage. It doesn't have camphor or menthol in it, so you won't get that icy/hot sensation that's in other products (or the accompanying smell, thankfully) but it really does work.

My yoga teacher also showed me some movements that help loosen up and lubricate the joints in the shoulders, elbows and wrist, which will also help reduce pressure on the nerves. They helped me a lot and I do them regularly -- 5-10 minutes each day. If you're interested, I'll try to write up the instructions in such a way that it's easy for you to do them without a visual demonstration.

Also, be careful how you're sleeping. Try not to sleep on the side that's bothering you for a while, and try to keep your arm straight so that you aren't compressing the nerves in your elbow too.

Hope this helps! And I hope you start feeling better soon too!

[traceann]

I just remembered the name of the nerve that was causing my troubles, it was the Ulnar nerve. I had no idea that a nerve THERE could make my hand hurt so bad! It extended into my pinky, ring finger and middle finger...ouch! Still makes my hand feel funny just thinking about it!! LMAO!!

Glad you're back!

[Dixiefireball]

Hi and welcome back hon. I've been wondering how you was your daughter where doing.

Don't feel bad about taking a break from the boards we all need that. I know I've cut way back from the way I use to post. Some times i take days and even took weeks off. Its totally okay and does us good.

Take care of your self hon.
Rhonda

Hope you find out soon what is causing your pain in your hands.
sending you hugs and prayers for better days ahead.
Rhonda

[July]

Nice to have you back! You're in my prayers. I hope things take a turn for the better real soon!

[ICNDonna]

I'm feeling like an echo, but I'm also glad to see you back.

It does sound like it might be carpal tunnel; there's a fairly simple test you can do to see if it is --- hold your fingers straight, then bend the effected hand at the wrist and, using the other hand, apply pressure to bend it even more. If doing that creates the symptom, it's very possible that it's a carpal tunnel problem. One thing that sometimes helps is to wear a wrist brace --- the kind that you can buy at most grocery stores. My doctor had me get the one that has a metal brace in the palm of the hand that bends the wrist back slightly when worn. I actually avoided surgery for a long time by wearing one and I was spending up to six hours a day on a computer.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[ChrissySunshine]

Welcome Back Sandy, I've only recently "known" you on these boards, and I DID miss you!! Sorry things have been rough for you and your daughter. You've probably already thought of this, but have you looked in your area for Mental Health Centers...it's usually a big multidisciplinary center....therapists, doctors, teams, etc. You might also want to contact your state's Mental Health Advocate....maybe they could direct you to someone (GOOD!) for your daughter. Looking forward to seeing you around!

[creatingkarma]

You've been on my mind as well. I'm sorry to hear that looking for a psychiatrist for your daughter has been no picnic in the park. Keep with it! There's got to be one good one out there! I hope things start looking up for you.

[BellaTutu]

Sandy.....I hope things get better for you hun. I'm thinking of you!

[ihurttoo]

Sandy, I am so sorry that you have been having such a rough time. I just want to let you know that I am glad to see you back. I have missed your witty and insightful posts. I hope things get better for you and your family soon. Hugs, Amy

[hoping4acure]

welcome back! I hope you are feeling better. The thing in your wrist sounds a little like CTS.

[Sarojini]

Sending lots of s your way, Sandy... I hope things get better...