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| | (1 recommendation so far) | Message 1 of 9 in Discussion |
| | From: Jen, PT (Original Message) | Sent: 10/23/2008 6:29 AM |
My wrist is bugging me this past week...I'm going to the doc tomorrow to get it checked out. I think it's a little swollen, but it could just be my imagination. I can't put any weight through my wrist, and just touching it creates an immense sharp pain. I'm sure it's nothing, as I didn't fall or anything... The only thing running through my mind right now is avascular necrosis, because all the signs and symptoms fit. I sure hope it's nothing. While I'm at the doc I'm going to run the "letter" by them, to see if they feel my pain is adequately managed without affecting my cognitive or physical abilities. I can't get it signed until December, but at least the doc will have a heads up. Oh yeah, and the clinical coordinator at my school "lost" my email I sent 3-4 weeks ago with all of the hospitals listed in the order I want to intern there. I re-sent it last week, but haven't heard any news since (surprise, surprise)...That's a waste of a month of my time...geesh. |
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Jen....sorry to hear about your wrist....that's a bummer!! Hope the doctor finds that there is nothing serious there. Please let us know when you find out what's going on. I wanted to tell you that the arthogram MRI that my daughter had did show a labral tear in the hip....so she will have to have surgery for it. Seems there are not a whole lot of doctors that do the arthroscopic surgery though....although there are two that she can check out. So we have to wait until she gets in to see the surgeon.....the orthopedist that she saw was a hip specialist, but doesn't do the arthroscopic surgery yet. Karen just can't wait to get it over and done with....she's had this pain for over two years already. Back then, the doctor gave her an injection, which helped a bit....but that was only a 'temporary fix', of course. For now, she has to stop working out and making the hip worse....which she isn't happy about...lol. The 'good' thing is that she still doesn not have a job yet....she got laid off in June....and has not been able to find a job yet. It's tough out there....too many people applying for the same job! But at least she is married now and Doug is able to take care of her, and she's on his medical plan, thank God. Hang in there, Jen.....when is your hip surgery scheduled for?? I can't believe the school can't find your email....what a bummer! Wonder if they checked their 'delete' file....lol?? Thank God for emails though....lol....at least you have 'proof' that it was sent. Good luck with getting the school of your choice....you deserve it! Hope all goes well at the doctors. Hugz, Dee |
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| | From:  CyndyK2 | Sent: 10/23/2008 4:20 PM |
Geez, kid, if it weren't for bad luck, you'd have none at all, would you? That wrist doesn't sound good, Jenn; sure hope it's nothing serious. As for getting the internship you want, I'm beginning to wonder if they're taking you seriously at all. If they keep screwing around with you like this, you should sue for your tuition back!
Cyndy
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| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 10/23/2008 7:19 PM |
The MD thinks it's a tendonitis. Ice and anti-inflammatories...duh, I don't think I really need to see an MD for that bit of advice...I felt kind of foolish in there, complaining over nothing. I showed her the letter, and she had this very puzzled look on her face (the same look I had when I read it the first time)...She basically asked how they could have ANY proof that it was pain management (or lack there of) that caused me problems on my last internship. She basically told me that when I come back in a couple months for her to write a formal letter in response that she will do a full back and hip exam to see if I am worthy of returning to the clinic. Better load up on pain meds that day, geesh! Dee, glad your daughter got a diagnosis! Labral tear is typically a very easy surgery and quick to recovery from (if you don't have other hip abnormalities confounding the picture). I know of a few highly regarded hip specialists who specialize on the arthroscopic surgery, however they are all in California...a little far for you, I think! If she wants any more specifics about the surgery or the recovery, I'd be glad to help her out. You've got my e-mail address, I'm sure. I currently don't have hip surgery scheduled right now. I took myself off the "books" because December won't work if I am interning in January (but boy am I going to pissed off if my internship is delayed!)...Anyhow, last time I visited this orthopedic surgeon was in August 2008. The surgery scheduler informed that I will need to be seen in his office around January or February 2009 to make sure the surgery is still appropriate for me. If I have the surgery at all, it will likely be in April or May 2009. But at this point, I'm optimistic that physical therapy and my swimming is going to keep the pain at bay so I can avoid this surgery all together. SO, I guess the quick answer is, "I don't know, and I'm playing it by ear for now". |
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| | | From: Dan | Sent: 10/24/2008 2:13 AM |
Did he take an X-ray, hon? Are the ice and anti-inflamatories working? (I like Aleve myself for a good anti-inflamatory. They come in 220 mg caplets, but if you take two at a time it's the same as the old prescription strength 440 mg caplets.  ) You're young to have degenerative arthritis, but I would ask for an X-ray of that wrist just to see, and I would ask for it while it was hurting to see if there was inflamed bone. If you have it, you'll want to know. My right wrist sometimes gets so sore it feels as though it's broken. But it's arthritis. And when it's like that, you can see it on an X-ray. Just a thought, hon. If it is arthritis, you can start on glucosamine. Sooner the better, ya know. Wish I had known about it 30 years ago. I would imagine it would have done my joints a lot more good then than it does now. Hugs and lots of love, Dan |
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| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 10/24/2008 3:31 AM |
Nope, no x-ray was taken. I'm told to take the anti-inflammatories for a week, and it should resolve itself by then. If it doesn't get better in like 3 weeks, I'll go back to the doc and ask for an x-ray. I already have arthritis in my spine, but that's a whole other story! I'm taking Naproxen, which I believe is the same as the brand name "aleve" if I'm not mistaken. It's my favorite too. My wrist feels a little better, but not much. I'll give it some time though. I haven't used ice because I have Raynaud's, and ice is very uncomfortable for me, especially on the periphery! If it gets bad, then I'll give it a try. |
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Jen....Karen is so upset about the surgery!!! She just hates when something like this happens...although she is glad that they did find something wrong. Like I said, she's had pain in this hip for about two years....and the last time the MRI didn't show any problem. Thank God this hip specialist did the arthogram...and that showed the tear. She feels much better about it. And, yeah, think California is wee bit too far for her to go....lol. But she's scared of the surgery....guess she's seen 'too much' with me over the years...lol. But I told her this should be an easy fix for her; hopefully. By the way, would she have to stay overnight?? She's getting 'mixed' opinions about that. How long would she have to be on crutches...the doc told her between 2 and 6 weeks. I guess it all depends on how she recuperates. Right now, she just can't wait to get it done and over with...and out of pain. Can't say I blame her either....lol. I'm happy that your hip seems to be better for you. Guess one surgery on it is more than enough, huh?? Hope that the swimming and PT helps you a lot!!! And hope your internship comes through....at the place you want....first choice, too....lol. I'm glad that the doc is 'on your side' about pain management and your internship, too. Sounds like she's on your side! Now, let's hope they listen to her!!! Hang in there, Jen.....and let us know how things are going. I know we're all still praying for you that this internship happens for you. You deserve it.....dang professor...lol. Hugz, Dee |
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| | | From: Jen, PT | Sent: 10/24/2008 5:47 PM |
Dee (and Karen), My surgery was originally in the morning, but was postponed to the afternoon due to emergencies cutting in line and stealing my operating room. Therefore, I had to stay overnight, and was discharged around noon the next day. My surgeon told me I would stay overnight one or two times, but never mentioned it could be a day surgery...but I've read on the internet that some hospitals do this surgery on a same day basis. I was on crutches from December 19th, to around mid-January. I feel more comfortable on crutches, and making sure my walking looked good before I abandoned them. I didn't want a limp by trying to get off the crutches too early. I would say I was on them about 4 or 5 weeks. I definitely needed them for 3-4 weeks, the last week of them was just me wanting to be 100% before I ditched them. I was told the surgery went very smoothly. My complications occurred after the operation was over. I was unable to void my bladder, and needed to be straight cathed a few times while I was in the hospital. I also developed an itchy rash, likely due to a morphine allergy...but not really sure. When I got home, I was unable to move my bowels for 5 days. I was still having difficulty voiding my bladder, and my right foot (surgical side) went blue and ice cold. But then, I'm an enigma I think my hip has a mind of its own...at certain moments, it doesn't hurt at all. At other moments, I would love to just rip it out of its socket and get a new hip. For me, it's the never ending struggle of deciding if the pain is severe enough, and constant enough, to warrant invasive correction. For now, I am enjoying the good moments, and trying to push through and forget the bad ones....I think that's all anyone of us can do. |
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