I went to the neurologist this past Friday, thanks to my Aunt Rose. The neurologist refused to accept a referral from an ortho, so my aunt was nice enough to have her office "refer" me just before she headed off to the hospital (details forthcoming). The neurologist gave me a thorough check over, testing whole body reflexes, sensation, etc. He actually LISTENED to my story of how my symptoms developed (a nice change from the ortho). He was a little disgruntled that my referring physician didn't refer me to him for the EMG, especially since their offices are right next door. I explained that Aunt Rose only recently got involved and his office wouldn't take the referral from the ortho.
In any case, he did a pretty thorough case history and examination. He said that from my description, the most likely explanation is something called Parsonage Turner Syndrome. He wants to run a few more tests to eliminate other options, though. Another MRI, this time of my shoulder, to ensure there's no mechanical issues with my nerves; some blood tests, to ensure it's not a metabolic or infectious problem; and another EMG, I don't know why, perhaps so he can see for himself how I respond (or punish me for breaking the referral rules). I'm going to get all these done sometime in the next couple of weeks and see him again in the first week of February.
There is a certain amount of relief in having a diagnosable disease. Then I read what it said online. It sounds like a pair of neurologists got together and gave an official name to their shoulder shrug. No known cause, it generally just "goes away" for no apparent reason and there's no real treatment for the problem, just pain management and physical therapy for the side effects once it goes away. From the sound of the description, I'm lucky that my pain has subsided significantly so I don't have to be on medication indefinitely while nursing (or having to quit nursing). The neurologist said I'd need to be careful lifting with my right arm because the muscles that usually keep the joint together have probably weakened and I have a good chance of doing nasty damage with tasks that seem mundane.
While most people make a full recovery within two years, it's hardly consoling when I'm going to need to be at the top of my game to keep up with a toddler getting into trouble. It's also a major bummer as we consider how I'm going to take care of things in Grenada -- can't use my shoulder carrier for Penny or my backpack for her stuff, can't swim, can't drive, can't beat off big guard dogs. I hate relying on other people for stuff -- not that other people aren't reliable, just that I really value being able to do things for myself. Perhaps this is a lesson set before me so I can learn to let people help. I'm sure we'll figure out how to make things work in Grenada and I'll still have an unbelievable time. How can I not, with such a sweet little girl at my side (and Dan ;)!
P.S. Sorry for the extreme lack of pictures lately. I don't know why, but the browser refuses to open the window for adding pics.
PPS Aunt Rose gave birth to handsome little John William on January 14. He was a bit early and at 4lb 5oz, he's going to be spending a bit of time in the hospital beefing up before heading home. Both he and Aunt Rose are ok, though. I've got a new cousin and can't wait to see him in person!
In any case, he did a pretty thorough case history and examination. He said that from my description, the most likely explanation is something called Parsonage Turner Syndrome. He wants to run a few more tests to eliminate other options, though. Another MRI, this time of my shoulder, to ensure there's no mechanical issues with my nerves; some blood tests, to ensure it's not a metabolic or infectious problem; and another EMG, I don't know why, perhaps so he can see for himself how I respond (or punish me for breaking the referral rules). I'm going to get all these done sometime in the next couple of weeks and see him again in the first week of February.
There is a certain amount of relief in having a diagnosable disease. Then I read what it said online. It sounds like a pair of neurologists got together and gave an official name to their shoulder shrug. No known cause, it generally just "goes away" for no apparent reason and there's no real treatment for the problem, just pain management and physical therapy for the side effects once it goes away. From the sound of the description, I'm lucky that my pain has subsided significantly so I don't have to be on medication indefinitely while nursing (or having to quit nursing). The neurologist said I'd need to be careful lifting with my right arm because the muscles that usually keep the joint together have probably weakened and I have a good chance of doing nasty damage with tasks that seem mundane.
While most people make a full recovery within two years, it's hardly consoling when I'm going to need to be at the top of my game to keep up with a toddler getting into trouble. It's also a major bummer as we consider how I'm going to take care of things in Grenada -- can't use my shoulder carrier for Penny or my backpack for her stuff, can't swim, can't drive, can't beat off big guard dogs. I hate relying on other people for stuff -- not that other people aren't reliable, just that I really value being able to do things for myself. Perhaps this is a lesson set before me so I can learn to let people help. I'm sure we'll figure out how to make things work in Grenada and I'll still have an unbelievable time. How can I not, with such a sweet little girl at my side (and Dan ;)!
P.S. Sorry for the extreme lack of pictures lately. I don't know why, but the browser refuses to open the window for adding pics.
PPS Aunt Rose gave birth to handsome little John William on January 14. He was a bit early and at 4lb 5oz, he's going to be spending a bit of time in the hospital beefing up before heading home. Both he and Aunt Rose are ok, though. I've got a new cousin and can't wait to see him in person!
1 comment:
Congrats on the new cousin!
I hope they can figure out some actual exercises or physical therapy for you that WORK. I'm sure you'll be fine in Grenada. It will be harder though :P It's great you're getting this all looked at beforehand.
Do you nurse with a boppy pillow? Those things are great... I never felt like I had to really hold the boys up. We both just rested there.
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