I admit, this post has NOTHING to do with real estate...
Car. Pool. Tunnel.
That's what the orthopedic surgeon said I had yesterday...
Well...Its actually "carpal" tunnel syndrome...a compression of the median nerve (one of the two main nerves that drive feeling in your hands) in the center of your wrist at the base of the palm of your hand that causes pain, numbness in the thumb and first two fingers, and loss of muscle mass or control at the base of the thumb.
Fun!! Joy!!
Yeah, not so much...Ive been putting up with this in both hands now for roughly 5 years now...and finally decided to do something about it. Thus the reason for the orthopedic surgeon. (Hey, it's not a carburator. I can't fix this one by myself.)
Who am I trying to kid? I can't fix a carburator either...
Anyway...After having my initial consultation with him, here are 10 things I learned about carpal tunnel syndrome that I didn't know before....
1. In order to determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you have to go through a "nerve conduction test".
2. "Nerve conduction test" is a medical term used specifically to hide the fact that they are going to shock the living crap out of your hand not once, not twice....but roughly 20 times PER NERVE (Remember, there is two per my previous statement above)! And, this is on both hands!!
3. Now I know why Frankenstein was so pissed all the time. 
4. Faking a heart attack while getting electrocuted a nerve conduction test will cause a medical office to go into full-blown panic mode. For real!
5. My orthopedic surgeon's office staff does not have a sense of humor.
6. Nerve conduction test data is sent via computer to Harvard Medical....Yes, THE Harvard Medical. It takes less time to get the results back from Harvard Medical than it does to do the actual test. So, when the doctor comes in with the results, your fingernails are still smoking just a bit.
7. When an orthopedic surgeon uses the phrase, "...one of the worst cases I have ever seen...", you know you are about to finance something really expensive he has on his Christmas list.
8. You can not do a carpal tunnel surgery on both hands at the same time unless you have some REALLY close personal friends that are willing to do ANYTHING for you. And, I do mean ANYTHING!
9. Opting to do this one hand at a time has given me the ability to say that my wife is incredibly grateful about my decision. (In case you didn't get those last two jokes...We have a 19 month old. She already has one butt she has to wipe during the day. Yeah...now you get it.)
10. "Hand-to-Shoulder" syndrome isn't the same thing as the rubber arm you get when you fall asleep on your arm wrong and cut of the circulation only to realize it when you roll over and try to shut off your alarm clock but your arm is roughly as responsive as a flesh baseball bat. Yeah, it's NOT that.
Comedy aside, carpal tunnel syndrome sucks. It causes pain and numbness, loss of grip, even loss of muscle mass in your hands. And, if left untreated, it can cause permanent damage including loss of feeling, loss of muscle mass or specific movement, even complete breakdowns in moder skill. (How important is typing to you???) From one lucky recipent to another, if this is you, get it checked out.
Oh yeah, if you're curious..."Hand-To-Shoulder" syndrome is a side effect of SEVERE carpal tunnel syndrome. It is a pain transferance from the crushed nerve in the wrist and manifests as stabbing pain in the center of your shoulder joint. Yes, it hurts. No, pain pills dont help. Trust me on this one. I should have stock in Advil.
You will probably hear more about this episodic adventure as my journey continues......
Clint, I am in the same tunnel! I left my career as a graphic designer because my wrist hurt all the time from the extensive hours that were required on a computer creating work. I started my career as a realtor and have enjoyed the change. As a result, it relieved the pain in my wrist and hopefully delayed surgery. Here's hoping you come out of the tunnel in a better place.
Barbara -- I type all day long...so, I have only increased the damage that I got as a machinist working for Boeing back in the day. So, I dont have a choice now. ;-) But, I will keep you informed.
Clint - Get Yourself a Roller Ball Mouse. You can keep your wrist on the table and scroll with your middle finger while keeping your hand stationary. I love love love this thing. Also on your lap Top...use a mouse Dude. The ammount of time we spend on the computer will agrivate the Carpal tunnel. Good Luck To YOu! I have a degenerative disc disease in my lower lumbar and I Know All Too Well How much Pain can....well, Suck
For what it's worth ... when I start getting funny feelings in my arms/wrists, I change the heighth of my chair or stand, which changes the angle of my arms. So far this has worked for me, but I've never been a machinist!
I have had a severe stabbing pain in my shoulder joint, and really wish I hadn't read your entire post!
I am so sorry that you have Car Pool Tunnel but- I could just picture you faking a heart attack after they were done electrocuting you and I nearly choked. :)
Car pool tunnel ain't no fun. But taking that Lamborghini (?) through that tunnel would be a kick in the ass. Can you imagine how that would sound.
Michael -- Im on the computer all day....lucky me. ;-) Roller ball is a good idea.... Thanks!
Susie -- Yeah, Ive tried that 100 times...unfortunately my issue is so severe that it doesnt do much at all.
Diane -- Yeah, that didnt go over so well...LOL!
Bill -- No. No it isnt. And....now that you think about it....That would be so cool!! :-)
I've had it for years and have to be careful how crazy I get with my typing and keyboards. That is no joke. I opted not to do the procedure because I was afraid if I aggravated it again afterwards it would all have been for a minor relief rather than a permanent one. I work in small intervals to keep from burning my nerves. :-)
Clint - Sorry to hear that you're having to endure this. That being said, the part about faking a heart attack made me laugh out loud, and that doesn't happen often when I am reading posts. Good stuff, my man.
Hey Bay-Bay -- You should get it checked out again...the procedure is MUCH less invasive now than even in the last 5 years. Im only looking at a 5 day recovery......So, worth it for me. Twice. Doing both hands.
Jason -- Yeah, it sucks. But, glad I still got my sense of humor. :-)
Clint - whatever you do...don't watch the video of the surgery before you go in. I used to be a paralegal and handled MANY carpal tunnel claims, and actually watched the surgery being performed. I've been on the computer so much lately that the muscles in my forearms have started twitching nonstop. It's driving me crazy! Do I stop? No! LOL
Clint - you are a rockstar Realtor indeed. So sorry about your carpool tunnel. I have been financing my dentist's toys for years, so I feel you're pain. Or at least your pain in your pocket wallet.
SOMEBODY FEATURE THIS POST!
Clint,
I'm sorry for the unfortunate news. Those tests don't seem fun.
I've actually had a small pain in my wrist from time to time in the last few years. Thought it was just nerves, but now you got me thinking.
Good luck with everything.
Doug
Featured @ Club Chaos
Get both done at once. It sounds more interesting in the long run.
Lina -- Ive already done that...LOL! Too late! And, I know the feeling...numb fingers now, still typing. ;-)
Lori -- Awwwww...Thanks! (Not a Realtor, but thanks none the less!!) Yeah, it sucks. Thanks for the feature request! ;-)
Doug -- Those tests sucked...lol. Get it checked out before it gets this bad, dude.
Bay-Bay -- Awwww, Thanks!! :-)
Ken -- LOL! "Interesting" is one way to put it...Invasion of privacy is the term I would have chosen...LOL
While I agree with Ken that it would be interesting to do both at once, I have to say NO to that one.
My dad had to have the surgery done and they told him to do one hand at a time, well the insurance was okay with doing it that way -- but would only pay him for the days if he did both at the same time. Well, he did both at once.
So, I'll say, be kind to your wife ... or you'll be wearing the diapers your 13-month old has.
Clint - well that sucks! But I loved reading it :) - the only problem so far I'm facing from sitting at the computer all day long is a computer behind - wonder if there is a treatment for that - LOL and not I don't think I'd like to try shock therapy on the back side LOL. ~Rita
Toby -- LOL!! Yeah, that thought crossed my mind also. Either way, it's happening one at a time. ;-)
Rita -- Yeah, it sucks. But, it's worth the comedic value at this point. :-)
Puter-butt is whole other issue...Id recommend walking once in a while. Maybe talk to Brian about a massage. :-)
Hugs. Glad to see you didn't lose your sense of humor even if the doctor has none.
Lesley -- You should know me better than that. ;-)
Clint - I'll try and avoid those tests, but I hate to admit it, I think I need them. I've had a lot of wrist problems over the years. I think it's a combination of guitar playing and computer junkie-ism. I've had the sharp shooting pains and know there's not much that makes them feel good. It's lessened a bit in the last two years after leaving the band, so I definitely think that played a role.
Matt -- Im fairly certain those in combination would cause it. :-) The numbness I can deal with, almost....its the pain thing that drove me over the edge.
Sorry this is happening to you, Clint. I know my desk set-up isn't very ergonomic, so I try to stretch out my wrists and hands as much as possible.
Most people I now who've had the surgery say it's a huge relief. When is your surgery?
Marcy -- No worries...Anthing has to be better than what Im living with right now. ;-)
Surgery is set for next Wednesday.
Clint - LOL I love it - Puter-butt! Yep that would be me! maybe I should buy an exercise bike and use that as my chair - :) ~Rita
Rita -- Have you seen the treadmill desk?? http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2007/10/Walkstation_Press_Kit_photos%20001.jpg
Clint - I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with constant pain. I had back surgery several years ago and the pain prior to surgery was like nothing else I've ever experienced. However - You made me laugh out loud more than once! You'd better start sucking up more than ever to your wife! One hand at a time, or both at once - one is a shorter period of extreme wrath. The other builds over a longer period of time with potentially dangerous results!
And - I think I may have to put that treadmill computer thing on my Christmas list. Defeat Puter-butt! I'll be thinking happy thoughts for all of you.
OH NO! How will you post during your recovery??? Unless you can type with one hand, we may have to go cold turkey! I can't bear the thought!!!
Lisa -- Im sure the surgery will be fine. Im a quick healer, so I think i will be back in the saddle quicker than most think. And, there is no way on this Earth I will be able to quit THIS addiction cold turkey. ;-)
Good luck with the Puter-But syndrome. :-)
Clint: Do you plan on spending less time on Twitter after the surgeries? I'd be sad. I need to prepare myself.
Laura -- Hell no! I plan on being on here MORE! Like Kid Rock said...."I got a new nose to go along with my habit". New hands....more typing. ;-)
I really shouldn't, I know, but I truly am ROFLMAO! You have a very funny "take" on the situation. I also remember your rubbery-arm issue, from earlier in the week.
I'm fortunate: my "car pool tunnel" syndrome (clever, but sneaky way to up your photo count!) was caught early (15 years ago), and is well managed by
I'm sorry that your carpal tunnel syndrome has worsened to the point that you have to have surgery. That's really a shame. However, I know that you'll be much more comfortable, afterward. Note that you'll still have to do many of the things I do, to ensure you don't create additional problems.
Best of luck!
Clint - Yeah the pain when I had it was pretty rough. I used to wear hand braces after shows to try and keep my wrists from bending and giving me that pain. Best of luck with the surgery!
Robin - is there a race for photo count? POINTS for photo count?
Clint -
If I had
(1) a car like that,
(2) a pool like that, and
(3) my own personal tunnel,
I don't THINK I'd be whining, Jack!
Clint...
the good news is everyone is cheering for you! Loved the pictures and your attitude... Thanks for making us laugh.. wow.. fake heart attack... No humor in the Dr.s office.. Note to self!!!!
I still think I might do both at the same time. I'm not sure after the first surgery I would go back for the next.
A good sense of humor does help. I was a week away from cts surgery when an observant Dr. tested me for Lupus. Apparently the wrist is a point that Lupus "attacks". I went on Cortizone and the CTS was gone. WOW Scarrrry! Hope all goes well with your surgeries. By the way was blogging a contributing factor. LOL
Hi Clint,
I'd love to say "I'll meet you in the tunnel", but I sure hope I won't. Get better soon :)
Robin -- Yeah, re-engineering isnt an option when the NCT (electrocution) had to give me 5 times the jolt usually required to produce a response. Pretty bad deal for me. Happy you are laughing at this...I am also. ;-)
Matt -- I was curious of you had to do that...I know a lot of my guitar playin friends that are in that boat.
Lori -- 1. Agreed. 2. Agreed. 3. Agreed. :-)
Carra -- Yeah, this place is like family. Glad you liked the pictoral take on the subject....and yeah, dont do that. Trust me on this one. ;-)
Terry -- I dont know...the whole thought of having to give up ALL personal responsibility for 3 or 4 days doesnt sound pleasant. My wife is a paralegal, not a CNA> :-)
Bonnie -- Yes, yes it does! Good to hear that your CTS was remedied...and yes, Im sure it is a contributor :-)
Marzena -- MUAH! I dont want to meet anyone in this tunnel. ;-)
Clint - sorry to be so late - was a bit pre-occupied last week! :) I know it sucks but I'm glad you're taking care of yourself! So here's the thing - you'll just have to call on your friends - dictate the tweets you want sent out and we'll type them FOR YOU! it will start a new rage - DICTATWEET!
Pam -- Dictatweet sounds like a perfect service...!!! In fact, wouldnt that be the perfect thing for people with loss of hand control...Voice-recognition software that would populate twitter/facebook status, etc....HMMMMMMMMMM.....
I hope I don't get that... I move all over the place when I am spending my time typing... so far, so good...