this would explain so many things...
I had something happen last week that caused me to need to retreat inside my head for a bit, to try and figure out my life. You get the rare explanation of what caused it; I'm trying not to really tell many people until I get tests and such, but I've worked it out enough to realize it's not actually a big deal. It's not as though most people who would see this know me anyway, eh?
I went to an orthopedist to get my hands/wrists looked at, and while he was manipulating them to sortof get the feel for them, the main problem happened - which was great, it allowed him to be able to see it while it happened. My hands, if used enough, will curl in to these balls - really it's my pinky doing most of the curling, my ring finger does a little too, but the thumb-side of the hand is just along for the ride.
So he had already noted that I had carpal tunnel (it's obvious enough) but I had told him that wasn't the problem that really bothered me. "It's as though I've come in to an ER with a steel rod impaled through my chest, puncturing my lung...oh, and I also have a broken arm. Sure sure, get around to the arm when you get a chance, but for the love of G-d will someone eventually do something about this rod in my chest??" Once he saw it, he asked me a few other questions.
Why yes doc, I have had long-term problems blacking out. Why yes doc, my tendon issues really seem to be systemic - let me tell you about my lifetime problems with my legs, feet, and sometimes my back. Oh and no, I do walk funny - I walk on my toes, always have. While we're at it, sometimes my head just gets...fuzzy. And there's the frequent and horrible cramps I get in my legs and back. There's this and that, and a couple head injuries as a child...and none of the issues had ever been resolved or answered in any way.
So the doctor asked if I had ever been tested for cerebal palsy. "It would be a very mild case, but it would explain all of the symptoms you've never had an answer for. And it will cause arthritis-like problems in the hands for people at about the age you are now." He also assured me that whatever caused it, isn't orthopedic; it's bi-lateral, and examining it as it was happening was certain it was completely from the muscles themselves.
So, when I heard the words I thought about becoming quadriplegic, this that and the other, all the bad things one could think about. Turns out it's not at all progressive; it was as bad 30 years ago as it will ever be. With a couple minor things here and there, knowing that's what it is, most of my symptoms can be easily resolved. My hands, for instance. I could maybe even start playing the guitar again. And while it can tend to be associated with mental handicaps, I can be fairly smart most of the time, so I'm clearly not affected in that way.
Anyway, if I was supposed to respond to something last week and didn't, just know I wasn't blowing you off, I just had to escape to my head for a bit and be alone. Apologies and such - and yeah, no worries about it now - even if I have it, it's almost kindof a good thing. I have a really bad reaction to Naproxen, but it is the only effective anti-inflammatory doctors seem to know to prescribe for tendon issues. But if the only reason my tendons are always inflamed is because I have constant muscle spasms...then those can be addressed instead. So yeah - walking, writing, etc without pain? I'm down with that. Unfortunately, it's an orthopedic doctor's differential about a neurological disorder...meaning, it's not worth much. Except for the fact that the hand problem he saw wasn't orthopedic, in his opinion...and since it is not only bilateral but also happens in my feet sometimes...
(ps - apparently the lesions don't always show on a CT scan - esp not one from 30 years ago. it would show up on an MRI though, which I haven't ever had of my head).
I went to an orthopedist to get my hands/wrists looked at, and while he was manipulating them to sortof get the feel for them, the main problem happened - which was great, it allowed him to be able to see it while it happened. My hands, if used enough, will curl in to these balls - really it's my pinky doing most of the curling, my ring finger does a little too, but the thumb-side of the hand is just along for the ride.
So he had already noted that I had carpal tunnel (it's obvious enough) but I had told him that wasn't the problem that really bothered me. "It's as though I've come in to an ER with a steel rod impaled through my chest, puncturing my lung...oh, and I also have a broken arm. Sure sure, get around to the arm when you get a chance, but for the love of G-d will someone eventually do something about this rod in my chest??" Once he saw it, he asked me a few other questions.
Why yes doc, I have had long-term problems blacking out. Why yes doc, my tendon issues really seem to be systemic - let me tell you about my lifetime problems with my legs, feet, and sometimes my back. Oh and no, I do walk funny - I walk on my toes, always have. While we're at it, sometimes my head just gets...fuzzy. And there's the frequent and horrible cramps I get in my legs and back. There's this and that, and a couple head injuries as a child...and none of the issues had ever been resolved or answered in any way.
So the doctor asked if I had ever been tested for cerebal palsy. "It would be a very mild case, but it would explain all of the symptoms you've never had an answer for. And it will cause arthritis-like problems in the hands for people at about the age you are now." He also assured me that whatever caused it, isn't orthopedic; it's bi-lateral, and examining it as it was happening was certain it was completely from the muscles themselves.
So, when I heard the words I thought about becoming quadriplegic, this that and the other, all the bad things one could think about. Turns out it's not at all progressive; it was as bad 30 years ago as it will ever be. With a couple minor things here and there, knowing that's what it is, most of my symptoms can be easily resolved. My hands, for instance. I could maybe even start playing the guitar again. And while it can tend to be associated with mental handicaps, I can be fairly smart most of the time, so I'm clearly not affected in that way.
Anyway, if I was supposed to respond to something last week and didn't, just know I wasn't blowing you off, I just had to escape to my head for a bit and be alone. Apologies and such - and yeah, no worries about it now - even if I have it, it's almost kindof a good thing. I have a really bad reaction to Naproxen, but it is the only effective anti-inflammatory doctors seem to know to prescribe for tendon issues. But if the only reason my tendons are always inflamed is because I have constant muscle spasms...then those can be addressed instead. So yeah - walking, writing, etc without pain? I'm down with that. Unfortunately, it's an orthopedic doctor's differential about a neurological disorder...meaning, it's not worth much. Except for the fact that the hand problem he saw wasn't orthopedic, in his opinion...and since it is not only bilateral but also happens in my feet sometimes...
(ps - apparently the lesions don't always show on a CT scan - esp not one from 30 years ago. it would show up on an MRI though, which I haven't ever had of my head).