Been off for some time, update.

Hi everyone.

I had to step back from the boards due to hand surgery and need to recover. I am still not 100% recovered but I continue to try to straighten out my fingers on my right hand. I am using it but the finger that had surgery is not straight yet. The other 3 fingers, although much improved, are still not straight either. They were all so long in a cast and then a splint, each with fingers bent to allow the tendon to heal. I can type now but some things I have had to find creative ways to do things different. I can't peel a potato the way I used to but can put it on a cutting board and peel it downward. I continue to do Physiotherapist recommended exercise. I do believe that my hand is curling up when I sleep. In day I try to straighten it out.

I have returned to my therapeutic pool program. I had to wait until I could make a fist as we do exercise that requires you to grab a water noodle. It is much easier to do exercise in a heated pool. I still have much trouble with the Osteoarthritis in many joints and the Fibromyalgia/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Since the surgery I have been getting buzzing in both hands. It may be due to the Carpal Tunnel in my wrists, which has been diagnosed previously. I try to ice my wrists and do wear braces when I sleep. I find that moving around helps to keep the buzzing at bay, to some extent. I have been put on 300 Mg of Gabapentin that I take only at night. The Doctor hoped that it might help the nerves. I am still taking other meds at bedtime but have cut down, per Doctor's recommendations, some on the dosage - Nortriptyline and Muscle Relaxer - Baclofen.

I had a stomach flu in March of this year. It caused much diarrhea. I had to seek Medical help. Had to provide a sample. A parasite was found. This was something I had no clue of. It has not caused a whole lot of symptoms. I believed my stomach problems were Irritable Bowel. I thought that some of my issues with constipation might have been caused by a medication. The parasite is called Blastocystis Hominis. It is controversial to treat. I have been told that the findings are moderate. I was able to stop the diarrhea with a probiotic called Saccharomyces boularrdii. I was told to stop using it when the diarrhea stopped and I did. I am due for a colonoscopy in August. It was decided to wait until August but if the diarrhea returned another sample would be done. Not sure what percent of this might be contributing to my daily headaches. I have thought that my stomach might be part of the cause of my head tensing up. It may be a good thing if the muscles are trying to protect my brain from bad guys.

Have a nice day.

Loring

Hi Loring,

Nice to see you back on the forum..

How long since the surgery? It took me months of therapy after a bad elbow injury...but all the tough work paid off..so keep at it..

Sounds like its been quite a year, hoping you continue to improve.

Lj

Thanks for responding. I had my hand surgery in June 2015. It is recovering slowly. I am using it, a must to heal. I am not sure if I will ever be quite the same but have not given up hope.

The nerve buzzing in both hands is annoying. My Doctor thought the Gabapentin, taken at night might help the nerves some, in the morning. I don't think I could function with Gabapentin in the day. I am super tired when I get up in the morning and sometimes I cannot function until 10:00ish. I am not sure how I will be when my Husband retires. He, too, has some joint issues but not as bad as me. He seldom goes to Doctors. He did go when he had Shingles and was put on meds. It is important for anyone with Shingles to get quickly to a Doctor.

I have much trouble some nights to fall asleep. The meds eventually kick in and I go into a deep sleep most nights. You do suffer if you do not have a good nights sleep. Thankfully, if I have had a really bad night, it does not linger on. It is only one night and the next I can sleep.

I don't think my stomach is OK yet. I have moved to days of constipation. I will have to see when I get the Colonoscopy done what is found. There is much complexity when you read about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. My Doctor indicate that it is CRPS III. It does involve the stomach. I do have the indications of Fibromyalgia also.

I am pleased that yesterday we stopped at a lovely shop and I bought myself a new hat. I need hats in the summer months.

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, CRPS III, Irritable Bowel, Hard of Hearing, Neuralgia, Carpal Tunnel...

Loring

Loring,

My husband is retired...i still take my slow mornings..he gets up earlier and enjoys his quiet time and i get up later and enjoy mine..

There s still plenty of day to enjoy together..

My body clock is a night person..i can be really tired..get up to get ready for bed ...and hi...i am wide awake..so i fall asleep late..

Lj