OldTryGuy

I had the test, EMG, to conclusively diagnose CTS and hit the jackpot. Some stinging pain but intensity is dependent on each individuals pain tolerance. Neurologist told me after the test that I should have had things checked out sooner and had I waited much longer nothing would help. Open surgery for me over 2 years ago and still have some residual issues but the fact that I need a wrist fusion or replacement doesn't help the situation.

sumbikerguy123

[QUOTE=Machka;20031127]Ergonomic advice ... not device. Like how to position my hand, shoulders, etc. when I cycle or use the computer.

R. Sorry, must be the Methylprednisolone and lack of sleep the past several days.

sumbikerguy123

R. Sorry to hear about your hand/wrist issues. Was this the results of doing triathlon's?

If you get a wrist fusion wouldn't that pretty much end your biking ventures?

OldTryGuy

Years of bicycle repair/wheel building/truing then wrenching building reverse osmosis equipment.

Ortho said fusion would add a level of difficulty but not end riding. Copious amounts of spices, anti-inflammatory vegetables and virtually no sugars helps minimize pain/discomfort. No interest in using the drugs that have been prescribed. Same healthy lifestyle habits helped delay right shoulder total replacement until October last year and now trying to delay knee replacements because both legs require a tibial ostomy before new knees can be installed.

sumbikerguy123

R. Hope everything works out for you, sounds like you've been through the mill. Just curious, but my sister had a hip replacement several years ago, she seemed to recover from it fairly quickly. And my former landlord had a shoulder replacement surgery done, but months later he said he still had pain from the surgery?

Joint replacements are becoming more common these days thanks to medical technology.

What was your shoulder replacement recovery like, pain and time wise?

OldTryGuy

I chose Dr. #3 for surgery. #1 was my general ortho and #2 was a hand/shoulder specialist with both telling me time off bike for healing. #2 was recommended by my PCP.

#3 told me I could go riding 2 days following operation. Replacement Monday AM, in recovery he again said 2 days then go for a ride, saw PT next day where sling came off and told move arm but not up high and OK to ride next day. I decided to wait until Thursday to go for a ride. Recovery has been excellent but still muscle strength issues due to atrophy from years of non use and a bike crash in 2011-broken neck, clavicle, Long Thoracic Nerve damaged.

sumbikerguy123

R. Sounds like you recovered quickly. I wish you the same quick recovery with your future replacements.

fourknees

FWIW...You may look to see if de quervain's tenosynovitis matches what you have.

5 years ago I was riding to work and the pain got to the point it felt like I broke my wrist. I had some discomfort previously, and then it got really bad. My doctor, who also happens to be very active, was able to diagnosis right away. I had pain at the base of my thumb, pinky and ring fingers on both hands. One was worse than the other. I also had some pain in my forearms. Luckily for me no surgery was needed. I had to wear some wrist/thumb braces for about 8 weeks. I did see a physical therapist and did exercises to stretch/strengthen the area.

Doctor said it was an overuse injury and de quervain's tenosynovitis is basically a slow-sprain, likely due to the pressure on my thumbs/wrist as I preferred to ride on the brake hoods on my road bike, but also the flat part of the bar (rarely in the drops).

My wrists were still achy on and off for about 3 years and still do get achy every so often.

I stopped riding my road bike at diagnosis and started riding my Electra Townie 21d exclusively (no wrist pressure at all). I did end up selling my road bike. I still ride the townie as the position is best for me, but I've slowly been mixing in my hybrid bike which is not as up right. I've been okay on that for rides up to about an hour.

chubbyrooster

I have had swelling numbness pain tingling in my wrists and tennis elbow in both arms from over use of my hands and arms from riding a dirt bike for 45plus years I am 60 now. . It was chronic for me, getting worse every year for about 5 years.. I tried everything to fix the problems, no exercise, therapy, anti inflation over the counter medicine. nothing worked I was ready to try surgery, I could not write a check without my hand going numb. Dew to another medical problem I was prescribed Prednisone taper treatment a total of 56 pills at 10mg each for a 14 day period day one 7 pills day two 7 pills day 3 and 4, 6pills each day so on and so on day 14 and 13 ,1 pill per day. At about the half way point day seven it cleared up ALL the swelling pain and numbness in my arms and hands. When I went back to the doctor and asked he said that they will prescribe as a last dich effort to fix these problems before the surgery route is taken. Its been 7 months and my hands and arms are fine, but I am very careful about over use no chin-ups for the arms and yes I still ride off road but am more careful about my bar grip Its a serious drug but worked wonders for me, talk to your doctor about it, good luck.
Best Regards,

sumbikerguy123

[QUOTE=fourknees;20050721]FWIW...You may look to see if de quervain's tenosynovitis matches what you have.

R. My pain is in my right arm, forearm, elbow areas and my back. I am presuming at this point it may be my ulnar nerve in my elbow, as that it is where the pain seems to be radiating from.

I finally got an appointment to see an Neurologist next week 12/27/17, so see what happens there? First visit will likely be a question/answer thing and then maybe an appointment for a nerve conduction test to isolate the issue.

Thanks for replying, Merry Xmas.

sumbikerguy123

R. I was using Tramadrol and Ibuprofen for pain, but the Tramadrol left me feeling like a space cadet the next day, brain fog, spaced out, etc. The Ibuprofen didn't help much and I was concerned about my liver health eating about 6-600mg or 3.6 grams tabs a day.

My Ortho Docs assistant prescribed me Methylprednisolone 4mg Dosepak a few weeks ago for my pain and I did that for 5 days. I had 1 pill left, but I just didn't want to experience another day/night of side effects, ie; couldn't sleep, anxiety, hot/cold, dizzy, nausea, muscle weakness, mental/physical fatigue, etc. I felt so ****ty I just didn't want to be around anyone.

Although it seemed to decrease the nerve pain, the side effects just weren't worth it to me. I just didn't know who I was while on it? Which is not a very good feeling. I am still recovering from the medicine sides. I believe the med raises cortisol and suppresses the immune system to reduce inflammation somehow?

But it appears some people think its worth it to them or gives them relief from their pain. So I am just using Ibuprofen for now, even tho I still feel intense pain in my forearm/elbow areas.

Hopefully, the Neurologist can isolate and cure the problem?

Thanks for replying, Merry Xmas.

chubbyrooster

Wow interesting side effects for you., when I was on Prednisone for another medical problem, my side effects were that all my aches pains and inflation went away in my joints muscles and tendons I never felt so good, I am 60 and I felt like I was in my 30s again I have not felt that good in years, and can fully understand why athletes take steroids[Prednisone is a steroid]. I had stamina energy and felt great, exercise was easy. when the drug wore off my new found fountain of youth went away but unexpectedly solved the chronic tendon problems in my elbows and wrists and hands. I would highly recommend this path of treatment ,if you can tolerate the drug, before surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome or inflamed ulnar nerve[tennis elbow] maybe you could tolerate Prednisone better than Mythlprednisolone? PS check the discs in your neck, can cause nerve problems in your arms and hands.
Best Wishes

avmech

Had a bilateral carpal release 26 years ago at age 36. Working on aircraft, doing a lot of riveting, riding bike a bunch, it all added up. My problem was my hands were going numb at work, dropping tools, not good while up on the tail of a plane........At night both my arms would be numb from just above the shoulders all the way down, hands included. Braces helped a little. Orthopedic surgeon sent me to neurologist to check both arms, it was carpal. Had both hands done at the same time, open surgery, then PT for a short time. Hands have been good ever since. To this day I use gel padded gloves when needed, riding included. Once in a very great while my right thumb and forefinder get a little numb, just takes a good shake out and then good for another bunch of miles, this both on my road bike and mountain bike. Could also be being 62 and getting overused.........

sumbikerguy123

R. Sumbikerguy thanks for and likes this post.

sumbikerguy123

R. I wish I could say the same about the meds I was using. Just the opposite for me.

sumbikerguy123

R.Sumbikerguy thanks for and likes this post. Like they say: Getting old ain't for sissies.

sumbikerguy123

Update: I did have NCV & EMG tests done a few weeks ago. They had me flipping & flopping like a fish out of water, lol.

The needle EMG was a bit more painful. When the doctor pushed the needle into the meaty part of my right thumb I flinched enough where the needle popped out and he had to reinsert it. But **** happens?

I still don't have a diagnosis yet? The doctor wants me to get an MRI done on my neck. But the VA won't take a x-ray script from a private doctor. And my VA PC Doc can't write an x-ray script.

Sohave to figure out how to get a MRI done w/no health insurance?