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14 May 2008
So, I see a neurologist every six months because I have mild retardation (see juvenile myoclonus) and in-between recent visits I developed some numbness (left pinky and ring finger) and discomfort in my left elbow. Apparently, I do not subscribe to proper posture when I am in full-blog-mode (see sloucher pictured left) and the fact that I rest my head on my left hand via elbow support is somehow not helpful. On my visit last week, my doctor told me that there is a chance the nerve may heal on its own if I change my habits, but there was also a chance that I may need surgery (nothing big, an out-patient dealy). But, I was told I did need to schedule an EMG or Nerve Conduction Study/Test and today was the day.
I really had no expectations going into the study other than I knew that it would take about an hour. It wasn’t until I was in the examination room that I found out what the study was comprised of. Basically the test is a combination of electric shocks and a bunch of needles. It was like I was in the movie Hostel for an hour and this strange man with an expensive watch and a last name I have always had difficulty pronouncing induced pain in a myriad of ways. How is the study conducted?
- you are grounded—you know, like an electrical appliance
- the doctor gets out some of that jelly stuff that I think they use during sonograms
- the doctor dips his stun gun/cattle prod into the gunk
- the doctor gears up the amperage so to better shock you
- you are shocked
- steps 3-5 are repeated up and down each arm maybe like 50 times or so
- you blackout
- once you regain consciousness you notice the test isn’t over
- the doctor now has a needle/slim sturdy metal implement
- the needle is attached to a electrical measuring device
- the doctor says something ironic like, “this won’t hurt”
- the doctor plunges said needle/metal implement directly into an arm muscle about an inch deep
- you are asked to flex said muscle with the needle in it
- steps 11-13 are repeated numerous times up and down the arm
- the doctor says something alarming like, “this may hurt a little”
- you are stuck in the fleshy part of your thumb about ½ inch deep
- it hurts
- you are asked to flex said muscle with the needle in it
- steps 15-18 are repeated a number of times in the hand
- you blackout again
- you regain consciousness as the doctor says you may need surgery to repair a pinched ulna nerve
During all these test the doctor will invariable say something really crazy like, "relax" or "relax, please." I felt like saying, "You just shocked me with that cattle prod thing, so it's a little hard to relax at the moment," or, "I'll relax as soon as the needle is out of thumb muscle." I basically felt like this guy:
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So, for all of you out there that are having tingling in your hands/fingers, get it checked out. How do I prevent getting a blogging related injury?
- Don’t lean on your elbows
- Don’t slouch
- Don’t spend too much time in one position
- Do use an ergonomic split keyboard that conforms to your arm angles naturally
- Do use an ergonomic mouse pad that conforms to your wrist angle naturally mouse pad
- Do Support your feet (I was told that is important too)
So, if you have noticed I haven't commented your blogs regularly as of late, I have a note. Do you have a blogging related injury? Care to share?
