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I dont mind things seem to go off topic alot. But you are usually getting good info. Thats why I started my own Thread.

And to get back on topic i did get a prescription for Neurontin today but will wait to start it until after th Neural Prolotherapy injections.

Sorry, but I don't have to type much except for writing on this forum, since all the members are so knowledgeable and help me so much, it's worth a little pain. But I do have to take breaks as I still have to figure out the ergonomics of that. Jo mar has some good suggestions, I will take her advice for ergonomics too.

http://www.smartstand.net/

This has allowed me to use laptop ergonomically. External mouse is much better than the touchpad. I use external Microsoft Natural Keyboard if I have to do a lot of typing.

thanks i might try this. I wonder if it works with Macs

Marc,
Thanks so much for the tips I might go and buy these and give it a try.
Do you keep the external keyboard on your lap and the lap top on a table with the screen at eye level?

I had my second rib resection completed last week on May 8, exactly two and a half months after my left side resection and scalenectomy. Due to complications, I ended up spending four nights in the hospital. It's been a rough, challenging week for me.

Unfortunately, I have been experiencing problems with allodynia, according to Dr. Donahue. The pain I have is more great discomfort in my skin, rather than the deep pain my shoulder and chest that I had last time around. Apparently allodynia is pain that comes from stimuli that aren't usually painful. For example, blankets on my bed, my sweatshirt, movement in the car, all exacerbate my discomfort.

I started taking Neurontin today, and I will taper onto it for the next couple of days. I'm really hoping this helps get the nerve pain under control, as it was not something I ever experienced prior to surgery and its made me quite irritable. Aside from this nerve pain though, my movement is my right side is quite good in comparison to where I was with my left side 8 days out of surgery.

Take care, everyone.

LadyLaura,

I had problems with allodynia both before (arms and back) and after (right hand) my cervical fusion surgery as well as after my left rib resection 4 weeks ago. I still have a touch of the allodynia along the ulnar nerve between the elbow and wrist on the left side, but it is fading away as a gain more mobility in the ulnar nerve (I've been doing a lot of nerve stretching/gliding/flossing. The Neurontin definitely helps to dull the nerve pains and the allodynia has always faded away with time for me post-surgery.

Did Dr. Donahue peform full scalenectomies (anterior? medial?) on your right side as well.

Both,

The best position is with the laptop on a table with the screen at eye level. I'll usually keep the keyboard on the table as well. When I use the SmartStand in my lap I usually just type on the laptop keyboard. But I am usually just browsing and not doing much typing in this setup.

Marc, I'm so glad you have familiarity with allodynia! I just spoke with LadyLaura and this is something that I know little about, so I'm sure this will be comforting to her. Also, I don't want to speak for her. but I believe that she had an anterior scalenectomy, which is what I had, as well.