Can you say “referral”? November 20, 2006 ~ 1:31 pm
Posted by Julie in : Assorted Ailments, Craftiness Is Next To Godliness , trackback
Drips ~ Woodstock, NY
I went to see Dr. Jed this morning (I could call him by his last name, but I kinda like having Dr. Jed and Dr. Skippy). Unfortunately Dr. Jed was a little backlogged, so I had to see his partner who has no fun first name but is also very nice. Dr. No-Name said I don’t sound like I have asthma and that my breathing is in the normal range (they made me blow into a tube to determine this and although I thought I was wheezing like an old lady, apparently this was not the case). She said the hyperacidity, aka Zuul, was probably caused by my fondness for caffeinated soda (I have one a day on work days). She also took enough blood to test me for everything under the sun, methinks.
As for the numbness, well, she doesn’t know what it is. It’s almost definitely related to my ulnar nerve, but isn’t “presenting” as carpal or cubital tunnel…I think that’s what she said. What it boils down to is that I have to come back next Monday to have this done to me. As the movie title goes, can’t hardly wait. I am not really looking forward to having needles inserted into my muscles - I saw the procedure done on House, and unless my doctor looks like Hugh Laurie? Not so enthused. The best part is that the doctor’s name is Edbert. Dr. Edbert.
I took the whole weekend off from knitting (actually haven’t knit anything since last Tuesday) and the computer (except for playing the occasional game of Snood using my left hand to control the mouse), and didn’t really show an improvement. So this week I’m saying “Fuck it” and knitting again. I will do yoga and use heating pads, and save the work on the knitters in my life until last (because if worst comes to worst, I can buy the size needles needed for the pattern I picked out for them and give them needles, pattern, and yarn as a present), but dammit, Christmas knitting needs to be done. My poor brother needs a watch cap and scarf.
Comments
After seeing the needles that need to be inserted in your muscles… how could you ever use those things for knitting?!
Man, hope the figure out what’s wrong before the kill you.
So, BTW, were you interested in knitting something for the Wife or will you not be able to fit it in? Let me know so we can work out details if you can.
All(s) I know is my booties better be made in time for xmas. Kidding…dude, that sucks. Is it like when your foot falls asleep?
Lori~Who said you were getting booties? Dude, you’re getting coal. And yes, it’s a lot like when your foot falls asleep.
Vince~At this point, one week behind on my Christmas knitting with at least 8 projects to be knitted within the next five weeks (ten projects if I can manage it) with a mysterious ailment thrown in, I’m going to have to say no to the Wife’s present. I could possibly do it sometime after Christmas, but there’s no way I can do it now. Sorry!
Michael~I can picture inserting the bamboo needles I use to make socks underneath fingernails as a form of torture as well, but I still use those.
At least it isn’t Dr. Eggbert!
I do not envy you that test!
Seamus~Did you have to have it when they diagnosed you with CTS? My mom did, she said it was also able to tell how serious the problem was (ie, whether or not you will need surgery to correct it).
They did one on my brother when his was diagnosed and I tried to get thru one to map out the nerve problems in my leg and back. I punched a wall after about the third shock and told the neurologist she was done.
She continued like I hadn’t said anything and shocked it again, knowing she’d found an area where the nerves worked. Nice. I didn’t fuck her up but oh, I wanted to!
Serra~So basically saying this is “cause yourself injury” type of fun? Yeehaw.
Julz ~ it was suggested that the test was available, but the symptoms were lessened by the trips to the chiropractor that I’ve simply put it off - maybe after the 1st of the year. My friend, the dental hygienist, did have it done, but her’s was so severe that she wasn’t able to work.
Do you want me to ask T any questions? He’s a PT and knows a lot about alla this.
Scout~That would be awesome. My mom told me “it’s not pleasant, but at least it’s over quickly.” Not exactly a glowing recommendation. What does it feel like?
Seamus~Lucky!
As long as your muscle isn’t damaged, it should feel like a relatively small tingling/vibration. If your nerve is getting involved, it’ll likely feel like a bit more of an electrical shock (not a very high voltage one).
You’d think they’d tell you to try getting massages to work out the muscles before doing this test….. doctors.. always going to the weird ass tests before trusting that a good NMT therapist might know what they’re doing. Seeing as we know how to (well, NMTs anyway) know how to manipulate and work with the neuromuscular junction, which is what they’re testing and maniuplating on this test anyway. But that’s just my suggestion. Try getting a good NMT massage (I actually know one that’s somewhat in the area near you) and see if that helps loosen up the muscles.
Call me or email me if you’re interested in their email/information. Worth a try.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuromuscular_therapy
If you’re interested. Judith Walker Delany is who our school was certified through and we learned the method she taught, and that’s what I’m certified in.
One of the original creators of the modality. Pretty cool, huh? 
Hmm, maybe you should alternate heat and ice, with the occasionally thrown in yoga
Sparky~No ice, that doesn’t help at all right now. Just makes the rest of my arm go numb.
Leenie~For some reason, my insurance will cover to EMG but not the massage, I think this is why they automatically signed me up for tests. But I would be glad to have your friend’s contact info if the massage isn’t too expensive (Christmas coming up along with a trip to Skippy the dentist in two weeks.
Julz,
No prob. I understand. Her birthday is Jan 9. Any possibility of having something by then? I’ll hook you up with all the supplies you need.
Dude, you’re so “Mystery Diagnosis!” You’ll wind up on Discovery Health Channel any day now.
Vince~I’ll know for sure on Monday how this arm thing is going to be. I’m taking it slow with the knitting this week and so far it’s going well, so I might be able to swing something for the Wife’s birthday. Are you still thinking the same project?
Sloth~You slipped in when I wasn’t looking! I actually fear the Discovery Health Channel. I end up watching it on the weekends and realizing there are so many horrible things out there that I can catch or inherit. And they show them in graphic detail. Yikes.