So…saw the hand specialist this morning. Here’s the trifecta of problems/diagnosis:

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is mild.
2. Trigger finger issue in right hand.
3. Start of arthritis at the base of both thumbs.

Here’s where things get better:

1. Braces at night, probably for months if not years to come, should either eliminate the CTS or prevent further damage.
2. Splint at night on the finger to help keep it straight as I sleep. Good chance this, combined with the steroid shot I already got, will make things calm down. Giving it 6 months to a year. If it continues, surgery will happen. Surgery is low risk and 100% effective, but I really don’t like the whole idea of being cut into if I can avoid it.
3. No cure, but we caught it super early which is good. Welcome to getting older! Haha. I now have compression braces for the thumbs (wearing them as I type this) that I’ll wear anytime they get grumpy with me. They’re small, easy to slide into a pocket or my purse, and hardly restrict my finger movement at all. Tech that fitted me recommended I wear them for a couple days to get used to them/allow them to mold to my hands. Once that’s done, they can come off and only be worn if I need them.

The really good news?

Writing will not cause further damage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any pain/discomfort I feel is not something that’s causing a problem. It’s age and use, nothing else. Take some tylenol and keep typing is pretty much what the doctor said.

That’s something I haven’t done much of, simply because I was afraid of making things worse. Getting that reassurance is HUGE.

Now to get through a necessary list of things to do around the house and get back to ‘Shield & Scepter’!

BB/Chan Eil Eagal Orm