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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by medlib on October 15, 2000, at 19:23:38
quilter--
Good to see you posting! How are things going? You've been in my thoughts and I was wondering about your spinal pain, carpal tunnel, etc.
Well wishes--medlib
Posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 0:45:00
In reply to To quilter, posted by medlib on October 15, 2000, at 19:23:38
Hi Medlib, and thanks for asking. I feel much better (but don't tell anyone, surely some new disaster would result). The brief stay in the hospital at the end of August took care of the severe head and face pain due to migraine and trigeminal neuralgia. I felt pretty good for a couple days, just long enough to enter 4 unfinished pieces in the big regional quilt show at the end of September. That is when I began to lose the use of my right hand and arm. My neck and right shoulder had been painful for some time but Fibromyalgia has taught me to ignore pain with no obvious cause.
The cause, while not obvious turned out to be pretty scary. I had some bulging cervical discs, as well as bone spurs impinging on the nerves to my now useless right arm. I was not able to find out what was going on for what seemed like forever. If I hadn't had a follow up appt. for the headaches, I would still be waiting to see a neurologist. She prescribed more meds, and cervical traction. No apparent results led to trying to see a neurosurgeon. By the time i could get a appointment some improvement was evident.
Anyway, at this point in time my hand works again except for some weakness and numbness that makes the cats' fur feel like I'm petting a hairbrush. I'm grateful to be able to scribble a list, put my own hair in a ponytail, and pull up my pants with both hands. Another lesson in patience I guess. Fortunately my depression hasn't begun its Fall slide into darkness yet. Taking 3 different antidepressants and maximum doses of Neurontin could have something to do with that I guess.
I seem to be disintegrating much faster than my contemporaries, so I wonder what will fail me next.
Quilter
Posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 6:50:24
In reply to Re: To quilter » medlib, posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 0:45:00
How awful for someone who relies on her hands for work/art to have arm/hand pain.
Posted by dari on October 17, 2000, at 11:09:29
In reply to Re: To quilter » quilter, posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 6:50:24
Quilter:
This could be one of life's big coincidences, but you don't happen to live on Cape Cod, do you?dari
Posted by Rzip on October 17, 2000, at 13:35:02
In reply to Re: To quilter » medlib, posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 0:45:00
> I thought it was awlful that your hands are hindering you from your quilting, too. Perhaps, (I do not know if this would make you feel better)--but perhaps you can teach a class in the community on quilting. I know that young people like me, would love to learn to quilt. I was thinking that this way, you can still hold on to the pleasures that the art of quilting brings to you. And, hopefully you might feel a bit consoled?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXHi Medlib, and thanks for asking. I feel much better (but don't tell anyone, surely some new disaster would result). The brief stay in the hospital at the end of August took care of the severe head and face pain due to migraine and trigeminal neuralgia. I felt pretty good for a couple days, just long enough to enter 4 unfinished pieces in the big regional quilt show at the end of September. That is when I began to lose the use of my right hand and arm. My neck and right shoulder had been painful for some time but Fibromyalgia has taught me to ignore pain with no obvious cause.
> The cause, while not obvious turned out to be pretty scary. I had some bulging cervical discs, as well as bone spurs impinging on the nerves to my now useless right arm. I was not able to find out what was going on for what seemed like forever. If I hadn't had a follow up appt. for the headaches, I would still be waiting to see a neurologist. She prescribed more meds, and cervical traction. No apparent results led to trying to see a neurosurgeon. By the time i could get a appointment some improvement was evident.
> Anyway, at this point in time my hand works again except for some weakness and numbness that makes the cats' fur feel like I'm petting a hairbrush. I'm grateful to be able to scribble a list, put my own hair in a ponytail, and pull up my pants with both hands. Another lesson in patience I guess. Fortunately my depression hasn't begun its Fall slide into darkness yet. Taking 3 different antidepressants and maximum doses of Neurontin could have something to do with that I guess.
> I seem to be disintegrating much faster than my contemporaries, so I wonder what will fail me next.
> Quilter
Posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 23:24:34
In reply to To quilter, posted by dari on October 17, 2000, at 11:09:29
> Quilter:
> This could be one of life's big coincidences, but you don't happen to live on Cape Cod, do you?
>
> dari
Dari, sometimes I wish I did. It's much warmer there than up in the great white plain states. I did grow up in Connecticut and love New England very much. Please say more , do you know another miserable soul like me? Quilter
Posted by quilter on October 18, 2000, at 0:05:09
In reply to Re: To quilter » quilter, posted by noa on October 17, 2000, at 6:50:24
It has been such a relief to be able to work again. Today i embellished a a shirt to wear on the remains of our trip east. I've out grown my other wearable art pieces. It was fun! Quilter
Posted by medlib on October 18, 2000, at 1:59:21
In reply to Re: To quilter, posted by quilter on October 18, 2000, at 0:05:09
Quilter--
Fantastic news! I'm so glad you were able to avoid major surgery, and it's even more wonderful that you're able to create again. Your post made me smile.
Fall is a wonderful time to be back east; it's my favorite season--here and there. Summer in Texas is not unlike being repeatedly hit in the head with a hammer--it's just so great when it stops. The sheer relief of being able to go outside again almost feels like fun, but I can't quite remember what that's like.
Hoping that your good times roll----medlib
> It has been such a relief to be able to work again. Today i embellished a a shirt to wear on the remains of our trip east. I've out grown my other wearable art pieces. It was fun! Quilter
Posted by dari on October 18, 2000, at 8:07:23
In reply to Re: To quilter » dari, posted by quilter on October 17, 2000, at 23:24:34
> > Quilter:
> > This could be one of life's big coincidences, but you don't happen to live on Cape Cod, do you?
> >
> > dari
>
>
> Dari, sometimes I wish I did. It's much warmer there than up in the great white plain states. I did grow up in Connecticut and love New England very much. Please say more , do you know another miserable soul like me? QuilterHi Quilter:
Please don't refer to yourself as a miserable soul... From my seat, you seem to be a creative, caring & compassionate woman. It also sounds like you have chronic pain issues. Hardly a defining characteristic of who you are. By the way, I also grew up in Connecticut - way down in Old Greenwich, near NYC. I've also lived all over New England: VT, NH, MA, CT, and RI!I happen to know a woman who lives the next town over from me in Brewster, MA who is a quilter/artist by occupation who had a big show to finish her pieces for in Sept. Additionally, she is an avid computer user with some "chronic pain" and physical maladies. She also was in the hospital in August. Too many similarities to not ask if you were her!
I'd love to talk more.
Dari
Posted by quilter on October 26, 2000, at 20:26:27
In reply to To quilter, posted by dari on October 18, 2000, at 8:07:23
I'd like that too, Dari. Got back from a trip east a couple days ago. The colors were wonderful and visit was tiring but pleasant. Neither emotions or pain got out of control in spite of all the family doings and time in the car.
Quilter
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