Had no idea Nitrous oxide gas induced neuropathy. I had it twice. For replacement of fillings and then for placement of front crowns.

I will keep this in mind. Thanks for the information.

Mere

Was this before you were Dx'd with PN?
If after, did your Sx become more severe?

I was officially diagnosed with neuropathy only last Winter through skin biopsy. However, the symptoms I have been experiencing go back 17 years. So my illness was already apparent prior to receiving the N2O. And no, I don't think things became more severe. I do have severe episodes, but I can't attribute them to N2O.

I saw the surgeon yesterday and he said that the thing is going to heal just fine, that the tip of the finger is very engorged with blood, and that between that and the wound itself, the number of nerve endings firing in my brain is huge. Think tip of penis swollen with an open wound, basically, he said. (being a man)

But since trying to carefully place on the wound a piece of gauze with a bit of a wound cream on over it sent me hyperventilating he was a bit stunned (being a vascular surgeon he mostly does toes, which are NOT sensitive on his patients)
and told me that it doesn't matter what I do to dress it:

No matter what I put on it, wet, dry, bacitracin, vaseline, wound dressing, it will heal. Keeping it dry and open to air will allow a scab to form, and that will make it LESS PAINFUL. However, allowing a scab to form will make it take longer to heal. My choice. (Not really, open to air is not a choice.) I was sent home with a baggy of supplies like leaving the dentist's office with a new toothbrush and floss--all sorts of gauze and creams to try, as well as light stretchy finger "gloves" to put on top.

By 11 pm it was throbbing, and I looked at it and was convined the swelling and red hot area had grown, and I'd need a hand surgeon today. I took Tramadol and Klonopin, FORGOT the magnets, and was awake until 4am. Up for work at 7. Looked at it, and it really looks no different.

Night is when the bogey man comes out, and all pain is worse; that's all. It's just a little thing, and it's NOT infected, and I have to remind myself to not get scared by the pain; it's like neuropathy pain: out of proportion to what's really wrong.

I've increased my anti-oxidants and Vit C, as well as curcumin, to prevent RSD ( which terrifies me), despite the good surgeon telling me I'm not at risk for it. I'm not easy to convince.

On the sidebar thread here: Nitrous Oxide: What I'm understanding is that it can cause a B12 deficiency state, right? So anyone who develops neuro symptoms after nitrous should be checked for B12 right away and probably given an injection immeditely while awaiting test results, and hopefully, because it's so acute, it should reverse? Is that the take-home message?

I used Americaine ointment (20% benzocaine) on my nail bed.

I also used triple antibiotic ointment. I applied them every other time when I cleaned it (which was not fun and pretty painful--but the Americaine helped). You might have to special order Americaine, as it is not commonly on shelves. Or get an RX for lidocaine jelly.

Studies show wounds heal faster when covered. There are even new bandages designed for this.
example:
http://www.medshopexpress.com/121453.html#

This type is also nice:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catal..._sku=sku392264

but must be applied to clean areas.

Here is an example of why covering wounds is better:
http://www.squidoo.com/heal-open-wounds-faster

I kept mine covered for over a week!

Put the S pole of the magnet at the base of the thumb where that slight depression is at the wrist before the carpal ligament. That is where the nerve is.

Just let it heal up,, its going to be fine,, I am at the point that if I cut my finger off I probably wouldnt know it till I saw the blood,,,

I have round strong magnets. Would you suggest using one or two? I could tape one or two on my wrist, on opposite sides, I imagine. They are very strong.

Thanks for the information about keeping wounds covered. The surgeon said it would heal faster covered, but if I kept it open to air, would scab, and be less painful. He didnt think the amount of time it would add to the healing would matter much, if I could get the pain down. But really, I can't keep it open to air; I need to cover the thing with a good layer of padding and foam to protect it from bumps.

I only used one neodymium magnet..1/2 in across. You don't need one on the "other side"... the nerve is only on the thumb side.

I guess you don't read here much... I have a magnet thread now, that has a link on it showing which nerve you can intercept for pain control:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=magnets

What is important is that the S pole should go against the skin.

Yes, Mrs D, You're right, since the treatment for Lyme I've not been on the site nearly so often. (Though I have a new Liza Jane sheet coming soon for symptom tracking)

I have the NEODYMIUM DISC MAGNETS --I've read your thread, and I'm still left with a question of placement. It's way too large and heavy to tape to my thumb--I think. Would placing it on my palm be helpful, or wrist? If so, South side towards skin? I'll try to be imaginative about putting it against the wound, but I don't think it's feasible.

I'm sorry I've hit the "wall" now---fatigue and pain combined to not thinking and logicking clearly enough on my own. So, if you gave me a clear instruction, I'd be happy to just take it, and not even try to digest it at this point.

Wall. (I've taken to calling a "melt-down" when I hit the crash-point at home and am with family or friends; but perhaps calling out "Wall!" is more to the point, more like calling out "Uncle!". "Meltdown" has been a good code-word which says, hey, don't expect anything more of Mom, AT ALL. She's USED UP.

Well, I guess you didn't read or understand my post.

There is nothing else I can offer you on the net.

You have a link to the anatomy, and you should understand that basic anatomy anyway.

Good luck.