Meredith, I would definitely go to a hand specialist. You know I've decided that you have to investigate and get the "right" doctor/surgeon. I have had zero problems since my surgery so I'm thankful for that. Now to deal with rhuematoid arthritis, oy.

Carla

I agree with Carla, definitely go to a hand specialist. I have an appt. with an orthopedist tomorrow, who will then send me to the hand surgeon. A neurologist did some tests with electric shock and sticking needles, and says I have severe carpal tunnel in the right hand, moderate in the left. So surgery is in my future, but I don't know any more about it than you do, Meredith. But hand specialist for sure! My primary doctor is insisting on a hand specialist because I am a musician and don't want to lose any fine motor coordination or dexterity.

Isn't it wierd how these things seem to pop up out of nowhere?

Carla, what was your recovery like? Pretty quick?

I had the same tests as Catkim, the nerve tests.
Catkim, it was a breeze. Seriously I was lucky I guess. Recovery was not bad at all and I didn't take any pain meds.
Oh yes, Cat, please do be careful since you are a musician but hey look at Barry Manilow with hip surgery and dancing around.

Carla

Man, Catkim, that is awful that yours didn't clear up either. Mine is not so important because that hand is bad on fine motor things for so long now that I don't even notice the compensation methods anymore. A musician would worry! Definitely research the procedures.

My surgery hasn't really changed since the 1800's, lol. I bet a friend could do it ;] I'll get a specialist though, lol.

Carla, so glad to hear yours was a breeze. I had TMJ surgery eons ago by the best, and even thoughts of TMJ haven't entered my mind in years. That's really amazing 'cos that really hurt and often!

Were you asleep for yours? Apparently I can get just shots to the area, and anesthesia costs a fortune, so I like that option.

Arthritis? Oy and oy. Runs in my family but I've dodged that bullet, thankfully. Tramadol is a great pain med, in my experience, and I take it all the time 'cos of my back. That may help... dunno. It's frustrating, chronic pain disorders, to say the least! I feel for you!

Meredith, for the Carpal Tunnel I was asleep lightly but woke up during the last stages. I'm sure lots of people just have local and that's okay too. Yes, anethesia does cost a fortune.

TMJ, I wear a mouth piece 24/7 everyday.

Carla

Well, it's not De Quervain's, and the specialist doesn't know what it is till he sees the MRIs, lol. Me, have an unusual presentation? Never ;]

I got more pics than any other MRI I've had and they are cool-looking is all I know at the moment. And expensive enough to be fine art as well ;]

My new cast has red velcro :) We were able to get my thumb into it [it had gotten stuck for the weekend, unpleasant]. I feel much better now with protection on again, at least.

So SO glad I went to a specialist!! Thank y'all! It's not that the other doc was bad, just that I pass the tests for DQ and the specialist has seen many many more hands!

Hope your wrist will get better Meredith! Good you went to see a specialist. Oh and I would want to be in full anasthesia ... and get some Vicodin for painkillers ( with a big refill prescription) so I could be on cloud nine during my recovery. The world sure looks better with a little anasthesia and some rosecouloured glasses :-)

Vicodin, that's what House uses. lol Meredith!

Thank you, CR and LOL. My choice would be Demorol... mmmm and then zzzzzzz.

Carla, lol. He doesn't enjoy it much either! How silly.

This stupid thumb/wrist had just better be better by my trip this summer... bum back, bum wrist and so many things to carry. Oy. That's why dad's going [1/2 of why] but oy!

My carpal tunnel surgery was practically painless,I did not even take Tylenol afterwards! I was awake,but groggy when they did the surgery. I had a specialist do mine. I hated wearing the cast thing,showering was so hard,but I managed. I never had a cyst like you did. I wait to long to have mine done so I have some nerve damage that the C/T surgery could not correct. I am afraid of getting CT again,since I work in a hospital and type ALL the time! Feels much better though. Good Luck! Julie

Thank you so much, and good luck, Julie! My back issue was made hellacious by repetitive computer work (without support) and unfortunately it just got worse and worse :"

Be careful out there - even just sitting and typing! Isn't that a strange thing? My brother jumps out of airplanes and does rescue training and not a scratch on him. I really didn't listen to my back enough and am doomed to walk the streets forevermore warning others ;]

Actually this wrist made me stop gymnastics for the swelling after practice... and I had broken it at 3 1/2 trying to do a trapeze act alone!

I go the 6th. The cast is protecting it nicely but I'm noticing the inability to do this or that more and more as I get busier and it goes on longer [6th month].

OK, the diagnosis is bizarre, IMHO. I don't need surgery (yeah!) and a virus is causing the bone to swell and inflame nerves. I wouldn't have thought of that in a million years, and it's so good that I didn't get DQ surgery! Not a thing wrong with the tendons!