symptoms reappear after a year
Dear Dr Bland,
I first saw you in May 2010 due to mild numbness and tingling in my left hand in the mornings and at night. I am a wheelchair user and overuse my wrists. I was given two steroid injections so far, Nov 2010 and June 2011. The second injection seems to have helped greatly and the symptoms disappeared for what is almost a year now. This month, May 2012, I started feeling sometimes pain when twisting my left wrist, very slight tingling again and a bit of weakness when it hurts. No numbness yet in the mornings though. Seems fine when it is splinted, which I have been doing at night and during the day when resting, for the past 3 weeks. I believe I need a reassessment and another injection maybe?
Last time you wrote that it would be ok to repeat the injection yearly if the effect lasts that long. I have since changed my wheelchair which now has motorised wheels, and insisting to use a good splint as much as I can, so I am hoping maybe one more injection will help, if not totally, but maintain this level and not let my carpal tunnel get worse.
Thanks,
Imy
Dear Dr JB,
It's been a month since we've been in contact and haven't heard about an appointment from admin yet .
I was wondering, while I'm waiting for a new assessment, could I arrange another injection with Dr Vernon Brown at Whitstable? He did my last one a year ago and it all worked so well.
It's the same wrist, the left one, which is giving the same sort of signals - pain when twisting, some tingling in the fingers and now a couple of times some numbness at night too. The brace really helps, as I know from experience that it can get far worse if I am not resting it. My interest is to look after my hands as best as I can, that's why I am contacting you early about it. I am using the wheelchair every day while working and looking after my family and I would very much like to avoid an operation in the future.
My best dates to come into Canterbury for a new assessment would be 23 July - 2 August, when I have more help with childcare. But I could possibly be able to find time on a Monday or Wednesday from 3.30pm if you needed to see me before.
Let me know what you think.
Many thanks, again.
Imy
Looks like we failed with that one sorry - either not sent out or lost in the post. Can you make it in to see me this Monday afternoon/evening - I'll squeeze you in as an extra case somehow. JB
thanks for your reply
I can't this Monday. It now looks like I could potentially come this Wednesday at 10am or 10:30am.
The best for me would be some sort of fixed appointment, as I can't wait around too much, because I'm looking after my child
sorry about this
Unfortunately I do a clinic at Kings College Hospital in London on a Wednesday at present so I'm not available in Canterbury that day. I am usually around until quite late on a Monday if that helps - up to 7:30 or 8:00 pm - or I could possibly see you next Saturday - I am already seeing one patient that day. JB
Saturday would be great if you could - can the nerve conduction test be done then too? Saturday 30th June - what time is best?
many thanks
Imy
I'll do the nerve conduction studies myself. If you turn up at about 11:00am. Out-patients will be deserted and there may well only be me in the EEG department so don't get put off by everything looking shut. Just come and ring our reception bell until I emerge. You can also call the office phone (01227 783048) to try and drag me out. JB
It certainly sounds as though a third injection might be a viable strategy but you are right that I would like to re-assess it before aranging that. I will ask my admin staff to make a new appointment. JB