h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, I'm now scheduled for surgery next Tuesday. The short version: they'll go in and cut the sheath that holds the tendons that operate my thumb, to relieve pressure, and give me a cortisone shot in the elbow while they're at it.

The one positive thing is that I talked the into putting me under. He had wanted to do it with me awake, and that scared the sh*t out of me!


I'm upset it's gonna happen, but also relieved. Maybe this will give me some relief, finally

Gee Ranger! So they're going ahead hey, best of luck hun...Tanz's at lunch!

Yeah, it's a go, I'm afraid. I'm just bouncing back and forth between OK and semi-panicked

How're you?

Puppet !!

But you know, there are a lot of advantages...it's a shame that it had ot come to surgery, but if it will ease the suffering, and at least get the worst of it out of the way, it's gotta be good !

Have they told you what to expect afterwards? How long until you gte full mobility back??

I'm reasonably ok Ranger, got some supper on here, get back in awhile, ok...*waves & blows kisses*

He said I'll be in a splint for a week, then start therapy, and see how it goes.

There is a complicating factor. My therapist told me to ask him if I might have another condition in addition to the tendonitis... something called RSD (reflexive sympathetic dystrophy, I think???) Some sort of weird nerve deal where everything around the injured area begins to hurt and go haywire. Which would explain why my elbow is getting so much worse as time goes by, and my shoulder has started hurting recently. I don't really have a clear understanding of it, but she said to ask, so I did, and he said that may indeed be involved.

They're going to do some kind of additional deal (a ganglion block, I think he called it) to avoid my nerves going even MORE haywire during the surgery, if I do have RSD. He specifically set up to have some anaesthetist who specializes in that work on me.

I spoke with the therapist after seeing the Doc, and she had some questions (can they tell for sure if I have RSD? what if I do? etc) that I didn't know the answers to. She's going to see if she can get more info for me.

I think it's good that your therapist has been helping you find out what needs to be found out...a lot of people when faced with surgery hav eno idea what the doctor is saying, let alone what kind of questions need to be asked...

...if it's any consolation, my Dad had surgery on his arm because the tendon came off the bone or something like that (basketball injury)...the doctors said he'd never get full use out of his arm again, but it was good as new in a few weeks...and that was when dad was 50

sounds rather bloody awful. Hope you recover quickly from it.,

I went in armed with a list of questions, but I didn't hit them all...

It is good to have someone trying to help who has some understanding of this stuff. I'm overwhelmed as it is, but it would be even worse if I didn't have someone to translate from Medical-ese to English. The doc seems like a decent enough guy, but not much on explaining things.


And yes, I can use all the consolation I can get about now!

Thanks, Egon!

It's always good to have someone who speaks the lingo on your side !

I'm so sorry it had to come to surgery. I hope recovery is fast and complete.

:::Questions to ask the doctor or anaesthesiologist:::

What other medications or herbal supplements are affected by this anaesthesia? (some things such as kava will make the anaesthesia more potent)

What can I take to get the anaesthesia out of my system fastest afterwards? (probably vitamin C and a lot of water)

Is there anything that can prevent scar tissue from forming, especially inside the carpal tunnel? (possibly vitamin A and E)

Please add these to your list. You did know I was going to show up with suggestions didn't you?

I DID know you'd show up, Evangeline, and I appreciate it! You've steered me right up 'til now, so keep it up, please!

I'm particularly interested in how to purge the anaesthesia, as I never react well to that. I don't like being put under, but I like the idea of being awake for it even less!

Good questions Evangeline, valid questions.

Thank you.

WR, I know you appreciate it. As I appreciate it that you show up when I need something, or to just say hi.

My guess, would be that anything that detoxes the liver would purge the anaesthesia from your system or at least be helpful. Dandelion, milk thistle and several other specific blends would all fit that category.

Does it sound illogical that those herbal things that people take to pass drug tests might help?

"Does it sound illogical that those herbal things that people take to pass drug tests might help?"

Actually, that makes perfect sense. I heard GoldenSeal was good for that, if I remember correctly...

*has never taken drugs and is making no medicinal claims*

Goldenseal is used as a blood purifier. It has legitimate uses such as preventing infections from spreading systemically (such as blood poison from an infected cut). Eyebright is another herb used as a liver detoxifier. Milk thistle, eyebright, goldenseal and dandelion would be my first choices.

Good thinking, made great sense, Evangeline.

Thank you, I try......and sometimes it's really difficult to make sense.

Just good that Ranger's getting some sound advice.