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[Gangling]

It's difficult enough, between the depression and mania, to find a "balanced" situation where I can actually focus and be productive without my body stepping in and claiming it's share of "time to rebel"...

I was about to really be able to knuckledown and do some productive work...My mood was perfect. I was motivated, calm and collected and my thoughts wasn't buzzing past at the speed of light but then my wrists decided to take a break... It's the most irretating pain I have (apart from chostochondritus). It's not constant ... more intermittent but the pain strikes often enough to totally through me off of my game. It's a stinging pain inside my wrist that is so intense, I have dropped cups and plates that I would be holding at that point, almost caused traffic accidents by being momentarily distracted and letting go of the wheel.

What urks me the most about the situation, is that doctors has "given up" on finding some sort of concrete explanation. It's not arthritis per say but that's what my family doc calls it - out of a lack of a proper name. It's not RSI, yet it is brought on by repetative actions (such as using the keyboard)...they can't explain that either...how is it NOT RSI. The only thing they can do as of late is shrug, point to my lax ligaments and prescribe another round of Coxflam (Which by the way is the only anti-inflam that works but also poses a risk to my heart condition).

The only thing I can think of is that the ligaments that controls my fingers, somehow "buckle" or push up against nerves, yet I can't prove it as it's not constant enough to show up on an X-Ray. I wear wrist splints almost constantly by they are restricting and uncomfortable. They start to pinch after a while and I am deathly afraid of muscle wastage due to the constant support making my muscles lazy.

Could I maybe borrow someone else's body for a while? Just a cpl of hours...promise, I'll take good care of it ;)

[Epictetus]

Hi Gangling,

Wow, I really feel for what you are going through. I am so sorry. I contracted a stomach illness while on a trip to Russia. After many visits to doctors and specialists I am still in limbo. I almost died of this and was put on an "antibiotic of last resort" simply because no one knows what else to do and it seems to "work" at controlling the illness but not stopping it.

Your words are so true. I often get so tired of going from specialist to specialist to find out what's going on. The "antibiotic of last resort" that I am on costs around 2000 American dollars for a ten day supply.

All I can say is that you should continue to pursue your search. Another doctor might "discover" that it is RSI.

Please be careful that your anxiety and frustration doesn't get the best of you. I worried about my health... then worried about worrying ... then worried that I shouldn't be worried so much .... then worried that I should be worried. And it all spired into a depression for me. Please take care of your mind while you are taking care of your body. I am so sorry for what is happening to you!

[Gangling]

Thanks Ep1ctetus,

The foreign disease situation sounds awfull. Chances are very few people know about it due to the Russians being immune to it. It reminds me of the African diseases like Denge Fever and Malaria that once you have it, you have it for life. I hope you find a more permanent solution. I wonder if "Anti-retro-virals" would make a difference... They are using it to combat extreme cases of resistant TB and other nasty viruses that grow stronger than usual due to AIDS.

It is a thin balancing act...but I cope. I usually get prompted by my mom to take anti-inflams when she sees me struggle. I am reluctant to use too much for the sake of my kidneys.

I know all too well the "snow-ball" affect. I once was "accidentally" mis-diagnosed as having cystic-fibrosis. The doctor just read Alpha1-Anti-Trypsin and immediately jumped to conclusions...in fact the enzyme was over-active, instead of non-existant, as the case is with cfs. Not surprising though, seeing as I have chronic inflammation. Suffice it to say, I almost lost it, thinking that my time is very short (cfs does not have a very good prognisis) for a week untill my GP realised the mistake.

All of the best

[Epictetus]

Wow, that is scary!!!

I got nervous when the doctors and nurses started being very sweet to me, as if they expected me to not survive. I will look into anti-retro-virals" Thanks!!!! Best to you!!!

[Trace]

Hi Gangling

Have you been to a neurologist? I have had a nerve operation and obviously been to one (he did the op), it was years ago, but he had this machine that tested absolutely everything and made a diagnosis after using the machine. There are so many things that it could be.

I have had problems down my left side face to bottom of my arm. I went to my rheumatologist, she brushed it off twice, once saying it was RSI, the other just blatantly telling me that nothing was wrong with it. I was actually getting pains in my chest. I went to my regular doc (she is brilliant), it was all anxiety causing an old rib injury to flare up, which inflamed all the muscles under my arm, then, neck, then shoulder causing trapped nerves (and they can be painful, the nerve op I had was for a trapped ulnar nerve). I also have carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects my wrists, but I am being a difficult person and refuse to have the op on both my wrists, as I have two kids and have to drive and I won't be able to drive or do anything for myself for two months after the op.

Trace

[Gangling]

Hi Trace,

I have been to a neurologist, but for a different reason (Palinopsia). They did tests for epilepsy and CT/MRI's of my optical nerves but nothing really jumped out. I haven't had my Tegretol re-evaluated for some time as it's working perfectly in terms of suppressing the palinopsia but maybe I should book an appointment and see if he can find anything in terms of my wrists. They have done most all physical tests so neurological does seem like a possibility. Thanks for the advice ;)

As for ops... I try to stay away from it as far as possible. For one, your joints are never the same after a operation. Unless it is seriously debilitating, I would advise against it... If they had operated on my knees when they initally discovered I had problems with them, they would have removed my patellas...the didn't think them important part of the knees mechanics in thos days O.O. The other factor, in my case, being that MFS and ligament involved ops are rarely affective (They would just stretch back to their old position).

Good luck with the pains! Keep thos wrists warm...especially with these fridget temp ;)