carpal tunnel syndrome

[donna1990]

I am not complaing, just venting, this is minor to what our friends are going through.
I know that I have carpal tunnel syndrome, can hardly use my left hand, but keep putting off seeing a Doctor. Still trying to end the process with the cataracts. Was suppose to have my final appointment 10 days ago and the Doctor's office has called and had to cancel 3 times because the Doctor has emergencies. When I do get in, I am there 2-4 hours. I am still on the prednisolone, which is suppose to be used until the first visit, 6 times a day, my first vist was suppose be 10 days ago. It has to be gradually cut down, well, the DR can't see me so I am cutting it down. It is a steriod, side effects, bad taste in the mouth, heart palputations, etc. This has cost me out of my pocket, with ins. $3.000.
I am so sick of these Doctors and what they charge.

[Janet]

Oh Donna...I don't know if I would put up with that. I think I would have to have a discussion and see if he's just too busy to be my doctor. I do hope you can get in and get everything taken care of. I can't believe he's put you off 3 times.

[Gina]

Donna I feel for you. I to have carpal tunnel in both my hands. I have to say I have been feeling pretty good knock wood for a few weeks. My doctor told me to take vitamin B-6 every day and when I have numbness or pain during the night I sleep with wrist splints they really help. I don't know how bad your hand is but I am trying the above for as long as I can. I also have a mouse pad with the raised wrist part because I am on computer a lot due to my job. It helps...

As far as your dr. I would find another, no doctor should cancel as many times or make you wait hrs. Sorry there are plenty of mds out there.. Good luck.

[judy]

I'm sorry you don't feel well Donna. I hope it doesn't take long until you find a good treatment plan.

I agree with everyone about changing doctors. Prednisone is a very powerful medication and you shouldn't be on it for more than 10 days! He sounds incompetent. Please don't stick with him.

[DianaB]

Donna, you might try to get your appointment as early in the morning as you can. I would think that there would be fewer interuptions at that time.

Gina mentioned wrist splints. Have you tried them? You can get them at the drugstore or Wal-mart. They're wraps that velcro on your wrist with a metal piece that fits in the palm of your hand to hold your wrist at a certain angle. Also try taking Ibuprophen every 4 hours for about 3 days and see if you don't get some relief then. You probably have some inflamation in it and the ibuprophen will help with that and the wrist splint will help too until you can have it looked at by a doctor. I'm sure that some B-6 vitamins won't hurt either. I hope that you get to feeling better on all counts, Donna.

[Janet]

I do the same thing Diana....all appointments...my family's and my mothers are made for between 9 and 11:00 AM. Less chance of emergencies and them running late. Plus I call my Dr. about an hour before my appt. and see if they are running on time. I don't want to sit in a waiting room with a bunch of sick people.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by Janet

Oh Donna...I don't know if I would put up with that. I think I would have to have a discussion and see if he's just too busy to be my doctor. I do hope you can get in and get everything taken care of. I can't believe he's put you off 3 times.

He is one of the best in the SE, people will wait for hours to see him, (I was not aware of that before I saw him", but after this next visit, I am done. He has to release me because if something should happen he would not be responsible. My next appt is Thurs., if I have to go back, I will request another DR. There are 10-15 in that group.
This has been $8,000 for 2 surgeries that takes him 10 min. per eye.
I told them once that if we had to wait for hours, that he should quit taking new patients, they think I am a bitch.

[Janet]

Mine don't mind me calling ahead to see how things are running. If they are running 30 minutes behind...I don't show up for another 30 minutes. They are very good at judging for me too. I really like my Dr. for the most part. I hope you get everything straightened out.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by Gina

Donna I feel for you. I to have carpal tunnel in both my hands. I have to say I have been feeling pretty good knock wood for a few weeks. My doctor told me to take vitamin B-6 every day and when I have numbness or pain during the night I sleep with wrist splints they really help. I don't know how bad your hand is but I am trying the above for as long as I can. I also have a mouse pad with the raised wrist part because I am on computer a lot due to my job. It helps...

As far as your dr. I would find another, no doctor should cancel as many times or make you wait hrs. Sorry there are plenty of mds out there.. Good luck.

Thanks for telling me, I will try the Vitamins, I got out my wrist splints last night and slept with it, will keep doing that. Mine is in the left hand and I am right handed. My friends thought it was due to me on the computer so much using the mouse.
This hit me so fast, started itching so bad between my ring and little finger, but the itch was deep down so that there was no relief. Then it started tingeling, then numb, some sharp pains that go up to my elbow. Lost strength, tried to pick up a salad bowl and dropped it. Is yours that bad?
If not, guess I will make a Dr's appt.
Thanks again.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by judy

I'm sorry you don't feel well Donna. I hope it doesn't take long until you find a good treatment plan.

I agree with everyone about changing doctors. Prednisone is a very powerful medication and you shouldn't be on it for more than 10 days! He sounds incompetent. Please don't stick with him.

They told me that because it is not oral that I would be just fine. I don't agree. The first surgery was in Aug. and I am still suppose to use 4 drop a day but I cut it to two, tomorrow one, then none. I bet I sleep 10-12 hours a day. Have never done that. Guess I will do a little more research on it.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Donna, you might try to get your appointment as early in the morning as you can. I would think that there would be fewer interuptions at that time.

Gina mentioned wrist splints. Have you tried them? You can get them at the drugstore or Wal-mart. They're wraps that velcro on your wrist with a metal piece that fits in the palm of your hand to hold your wrist at a certain angle. Also try taking Ibuprophen every 4 hours for about 3 days and see if you don't get some relief then. You probably have some inflamation in it and the ibuprophen will help with that and the wrist splint will help too until you can have it looked at by a doctor. I'm sure that some B-6 vitamins won't hurt either. I hope that you get to feeling better on all counts, Donna.

I bet you guys can't believe what I am telling but it is true.
He starts seeing patients at 7:30 AM. All of the patients that had surgery the day I did, had to be seen by him the next moring, all scheduled at the same time, I was there 2 hours that time.
Thanks too you also.
Think that prednisolone has caused a little brain damage, could have combined all of this in one post.

[donna1990]

Wish I lived in a small town. Where is a good place to retire?

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by donna1990

He is one of the best in the SE, people will wait for hours to see him, (I was not aware of that before I saw him", but after this next visit, I am done. He has to release me because if something should happen he would not be responsible. My next appt is Thurs., if I have to go back, I will request another DR. There are 10-15 in that group.
This has been $8,000 for 2 surgeries that takes him 10 min. per eye.
I told them once that if we had to wait for hours, that he should quit taking new patients, they think I am a bitch.

You are not a bitch - his practice of making patients wait and wait is nonsense - he is trying to see too many patients - because many/most of them need that $8000, 20 minute surgery - he's making a pretty penny, huh!! The more cattle he can run through the chute - the more $1000 dollar bills he can stuff into his pocket (sorry, I am a nurse and I am very cynical about the practice of medicine) Also, if he's having that many emergencies - hmmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it.

I remember a lawyer who sat in a doctor's waiting room for an hour, then sent the doc a bill for $200 (or whatever, don't remember the amount) for an hour of his time.

The thing is that YOUR time is just as valuable as HIS time. Sometimes docs have that god complex and are just completely insensitive to their patients' needs. Yes of course, emergencies do happen OCCASIONALLY - not everyday. And multiple patients should NOT be scheduled at the same time. Makes me want to walk a picket line in front of his office - ENTER ONLY IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO WASTE!!!

[Tiramisu]

I hope you're getting the care you need and want.

I always make a point to tell my doctors what I think (AT THE END OF MY VISIT). My favorite line is, "You know, I could have been at work earning money to pay your bill, instead of sitting in your waiting room." This podiatrist is getting close to the worst I've had. It's not that he has so many patients. I defintely can't complain that he doesn't spend enough time with each patient. After waiting almost two hours once, I told him that he should put in computers so patients could work while waiting.

[donna1990]

Originally Posted by gja1000

You are not a bitch - his practice of making patients wait and wait is nonsense - he is trying to see too many patients - because many/most of them need that $8000, 20 minute surgery - he's making a pretty penny, huh!! The more cattle he can run through the chute - the more $1000 dollar bills he can stuff into his pocket (sorry, I am a nurse and I am very cynical about the practice of medicine) Also, if he's having that many emergencies - hmmm... makes you wonder, doesn't it.

I remember a lawyer who sat in a doctor's waiting room for an hour, then sent the doc a bill for $200 (or whatever, don't remember the amount) for an hour of his time.

The thing is that YOUR time is just as valuable as HIS time. Sometimes docs have that god complex and are just completely insensitive to their patients' needs. Yes of course, emergencies do happen OCCASIONALLY - not everyday. And multiple patients should NOT be scheduled at the same time. Makes me want to walk a picket line in front of his office - ENTER ONLY IF YOU HAVE A FEW HOURS TO WASTE!!!

I love what you are saying.
I knew this Doctor's Mother many years ago and they are very religious. He says that my surgery went so well because God was watching over me.
He always walks into the examing room with an apology or a compliment.
I am not a fool, think it is a game. I have always worn make-up, I am 60, and he tells me how beautiful I am without make up!!!!!!!
Wish you were here to help with the picket line.