Hi,

I went to speech therapy today and the offices smelled like glue because a nearby office was undergoing remodeling.
I told the therapist I could not stay.
She photocopied some exercises to take home. I will see her in 10 days. The exercises having to do with processing and memory are hard.

On the way home my brain got confused and addled.
I didn't feel safe driving.
I emailed that I would not be at work for an event.
I stayed home and felt so out of it and not able to do anything.


Mood was fine. I don't feel depressed. But these brain issues have been going on for a while.

I'm starting to give jobs to members of my team that I cannot handle.
My team members are overwhelmed too in their own way and I don't know how much of the slack they can pick up.

I'm frightened about needing so much help and about trying too hard to fake it at work.


On top of that, I'm thinking I have a carpal tunnel issue. Internist told me to wear an elbow splint. How would a splint help??


M.

Hi Mari,

I see a speech therapist for cognitive therapy, too. Like you, the processing and memory work leaves me in a total brain fog. It is sooooo hard. Hubby has to take me because of my seizures. I couldn't imagine trying to drive afterwards.

I really feel for you about all this happening.

Seriously, have you considered a medical leave at work? I mean this is not like a flu or something like that. (not that i think one should go to work with the flu either... but it sounds like total time off might be the best thing. the other thing is if you were to take a med leave, their insurance would be paying you, and they could hire a sub to cover at least some of your responsibilities. you have said before about the culture being anti-illness related ... i know what you mean ... but this isn't your run of the mill illness. please consider it. perhaps talk to your internist, and also to hubby about it. see what they think.

splint on elbow... ... carpal tunnel?

well, splinting a joint would serve to reverse nerve compression to avoid damage, as there may be none yet. Location of symptoms is telling wrt which nerve is compressed, at what level, and where the splint would be of benefit.

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve compression / entrapment and sx can be alleviated by splinting the wrist at night.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00005

however the median nerve can be compressed at the elbow. Perhaps, your doc thought this was more your case, based on symptoms?

2. Other syndromes involve ulnar nerve compression / entrapment, which usually involves elbow posture here even though sx will manifest at finger and wrist level... i have have had this and did exercises to resolve it completely, btw.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00069
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve_entrapment

if you look at the above stuff on ulnar nerve entrapment and your symptoms "match the map," the exercises i used might help if i can find the link. they are from the athletics dept of a university but you should still get approval from your doc before doing them. my case was pretty cut and dry so i went ahead (proceeding very gently is part of the instructions anyway) and saw immediate improvement so i kept it up.

((( hugs )))

~ waves ~

the link was for NYSU at Buffalo / University Sports Medicine. But the site is all different and they no longer have those exercises - or any others it seems.



~ waves ~

mari, I was having carpel tunnel symptoms a few years ago and switched my mouse to the left side...symptoms all but went away, simple fix for me.
maybe that would help you too.
sorry about all of the mental foggyness.
maybe some time off would be helpful.
I know it is mid semester and all....
~sigh
bizi

yes.

when i was in development i too had initial sx of carpal tunnel syndrome too, mostly on the mouse side.

i started doing the odd flexing and rotation exercise in between tasks - that helped in general. there are wrist-rests which can help with typing position, as well as adjusting chair/table height for better ergonomics.

i learned to mouse with my left hand (hard at first but gets easier quickly.) from then on i switched sides for the mouse, every three months.

i don't know if it's affecting one or both your hands.... and whether from mousing or from typing.

~ waves ~ wishing i could wave all your troubles away...

I also think that you might also need to take a leave of absense unless you can get rides to places you have to go. I find this all so sad but all so ironic. You are finally forced into a situation where you have to take care of your own needs. I don't know how you are responding to this. I am amazed about your moods. I wonder if somehow the stroke helped you chemically -have you been getting more depressed less depressed or same? how is your sleep?
in NYC they have access a ride for the disabled. it is two dollars a ride and you call up the day before.
How are you feeling in general? Is anything better? Are you scared? Is your husband being understanding. You sound so low keyed.
Aren't there keyboards for carpal tunnel syndrome to help reduce the stress?
I feel so badly for you but I am struck at how it is working out that you are still young and finally being forced to take care of your own needs.
fondly
bobby
http://www.geeks.com/techtips/2006/techtips-09mar06.htm
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_1...efix=wrist+bra