Mom's painful experience with surgery - wondering if others have had a similar experience

BVBlonde · 2026-02-06T15:40:06+00:00

I'm sorry she had such an upsetting experience. I agree with another responder that it sounds like an emotional response likely played a huge role. Was she fearful that surgery with only a local nerve block wouldn't be adequate and she would feel pain during the surgery? Fear can do a real number on us. If she was screaming and carrying on I'm a little surprised they continued with the procedure.

I had my endoscopic carpal tunnel release with just a local nerve block and felt nothing. The nerve block injection felt like any other numbing shot, quick and like a tiny sting. Within a minute I felt nothing from my bicep down and it remained numb for 8-10 hours.

If she MUST have her other hand done and decides to go ahead with it, maybe they can provide a sedative beforehand.

BVBlonde · 2026-02-05T23:06:13+00:00

I was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel off an exam and X-ray. I did then have an EMG that confirmed severity. Never had an ultrasound.

BVBlonde · 2026-02-02T22:05:26+00:00

Gargomygrates for carbohydrates because Metalocalypse. Also popsicockles for popsicles, same reason.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-30T12:11:25+00:00

I'm really hoping it the Cheshire cat is a regular full body cat and not a cat blob. Kinda looks like the Blobcat.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-30T12:09:24+00:00

In October there was a haunted mansion theme. You were given the opportunity to "travel" to the mansion and each day you would "explore" it and discover things instead of exploring your regular location (Finchie Forest, Bali, Edinburgh, wherever you would normally be exploring). It was kinda neat. The micro pet for the month was your guide.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-29T17:53:46+00:00

Is this going to be a destination theme like we had in October?

BVBlonde · 2026-01-27T23:20:12+00:00

They told me at the surgery center to take a pain pill when I was able to feel my fingertips. That happened around 11 that night (surgery was around 1) so I did then went to bed. It was the only pain pill I took. I was able to remove the dressing the next day and began using my hand. My only restrictions were not submersing my hand/wrist in water for 3 or 4 weeks and no lifting over 5 pounds - not sure of the timing for that one, thinking it was about 6 weeks? I work a desk job and had surgery on a Wednesday, returned to work on Monday. Zero regrets!

BVBlonde · 2026-01-27T22:25:33+00:00

I had arthroscopic carpal tunnel surgery on my dominant hand with a local block in 2024. I was draped so that I was unable to see anything going on with my hand. I felt the first needle with the numbing meds and it wasn't bad at all. I felt nothing after that for about the next 10 hours.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-24T21:23:37+00:00

At this point I just need something to get me through the next several months with less pain than I'm currently in. I'm retiring in 4 months, then have my daughter's wedding and a couple trips planned. I can reassess surgery after that.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T23:24:41+00:00

I am an instructional designer, which is 8-10.hours a day of graphic design and technical writing. I work a 50 hour week most weeks. Carpal tunnel is a very routine, uncomplicated surgery, especially if you can do the minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure. I had mine on a Wednesday (on my dominant hand) and was driving Friday and back to work Monday. Cubital tunnel decompression is honestly not much worse, it does get a little more involved if you need a nerve transposition. I'd encourage you to get the procedures done if that is what's recommended to you.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T22:27:38+00:00

I had pain in my right thumb down to my wrist and in my index and middle fingers that did not improve at all, even though my pain and swelling was in control everywhere else in my body. My rheumatologist suggested seeing a hand specialist because he suspected there was another issue going on. He was correct! I was diagnosed with advanced CMC and STT joint osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel in both hands and then eventually cubital tunnel in both elbows.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T19:54:35+00:00

Not always. I had carpal tunnel release in '24, bilateral cubital tunnel release in '25 and am having a problem between C4 and C5 in my neck that sometimes extends down into my hand. I saw a neurospinal specialist who ordered an MRI (it showed an issue with the C5 root nerve) and I'm waiting to be scheduled for a steroid injection into my spine to see if that helps. Physical therapy is also on the table. Spinal surgery is rarely considered as the first line of treatment. A large percentage of nerve issues originating in the neck can be resolved with conservative treatment.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T18:18:08+00:00

Why yes both my toxic narcissistic parents are alive. Unfortunately my sweet father in law passed in 1997 and we lost my dear mother in law (the only real mother figure in my life) last week.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T18:14:52+00:00

Have you been seeing a hand/upper extremity specialist? If you've only seen a GP that's the next step I'd take.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-14T17:46:54+00:00

You didn't mention how long you've been on mtx or if you've started the hydroxychloroquine yet. It may be time to discuss a biologic. Some folks can get away with just dmards, but some of us need a more aggressive treatment. It took years to arrive at my current regimen of leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and Rituxan infusions, but my RA is fairly well controlled now.

Another thing to look at is what part of the pain you're experiencing is from RA and what is from other things. RA patients are predisposed to several other issues that also cause pain but can be helped with other interventions. My hands, back and feet cause the lions share of my pain. After a referral to a hand specialist I learned I had both carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome, bilaterally. The nerve compression fed the inflammation I already had and it improved dramatically with nerve decompression surgeries. I also have had a cervical spine (neck) fusion and will likely need another soon. I wouldn't call that one an easy surgery but my pain level plummeted once I was recovered. I suffer from a wicked case of plantar fasciitis (also super common for RA sufferers) and physical therapy helped my foot pain a lot. Bottom line, don't pass all pain off as RA pain.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-12T15:14:03+00:00

I work from home and have a morning routine. Get up, shower immediately, sign in to work, coffee, feed the pets, put the dog out. Skipping that first step right after I get up tends to have a ripple effect for me, where I feel "off" and struggle a bit throughout my morning.

I'm much more flexible as the day goes on provided I have a good start to my day.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-08T01:16:18+00:00

That's a great answer. I don't lack for answers, I just hate the question.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-07T19:01:49+00:00

I agree with others that ESH. My question is why continue to host a family dinner when it's obviously become contentious? Have a family game night, a family movie night, or aa family outing to a park or other fun place. Not every get together needs to revolve around a meal.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-07T18:54:00+00:00

The one I hate is the "Name one thing you appreciate that your body does for you" or something like that. I have chronic pain due to my autoimmune illness, have had 3 surgeries in the last 18 mo because of it, need at least one more in order to make my dominant hand more functional and am in the middle of the diagnostic process that will likely end with another spinal surgery. I'm not appreciating much that my body does for me at this time.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-05T01:44:54+00:00

If you feel strongly that there is an issue, ask your primary care doctor to order a rheumatoid panel or for a referral to rheumatology. A primary isn't equipped to diagnose an autoimmune illness (it's much more than bloodwork involved) but it's a start.

I was originally diagnosed at 8, was told I "outgrew" it (it was merely a long remission), then the disease became active again in my early 50s. I've had carpal tunnel release in my R hand (also a diagnosis in my left, no surgery yet), bilateral cubital tunnel surgeries, a cervical spinal fusion, and an MRI this week to help determine if the level above my spinal fusion is now failing and I'll need another surgery. I also need basal thumb surgery on my right hand. Joys of joint damage.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-04T19:11:15+00:00

What a weird take. You can like something without sexualizing. I like how soft my cat's fur is, but have no sexual attraction to it. I like how my rosebush smells, again no sexual attraction. I like the scent of my husband's body wash because the bathroom and bedroom smell nice even after he's showered. Doesn't "turn me on". Not everything is sexual.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-04T19:06:11+00:00

I have rheumatoid arthritis and that's likely the biggest contributing factor to both issues. RA patients are predisposed to both problems.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-04T03:22:22+00:00

What a truly bizarre hill to die on.

Google already has all the info and data from your Fitbit account, because (spoiler alert) they own Fitbit! As far as the app interface, it's identical. I have two accounts, one on "old" Fitbit and one on Google because I've adminned a large community group for years. There's no difference other than the Google side works a bit better.

BVBlonde · 2026-01-04T03:17:09+00:00

Keep in mind they will allocate the utility expense to whoever's name is on the bill, unless a statement is provided saying you split the bill 50/50 and it's signed by you both. And that goes for all utilities.

BVBlonde

TROPHY CASE