I wanted to give people a heads-up that I probably won’t be doing a lot of writing today, though it would be noticeable anyway. Yesterday afternoon, my left hand stopped working. There’s no reason for it, but I can’t close my hand or get my fingers to work. I’m right-handed, but use both hands to type. I’m typing this post with one finger on my right hand.
It never fails to amaze me, how much I normally use my left hand, without thought. I won’t even be able to run the computers at church today because I need both hands. I’ve strained my left wrist in the past, so this isn’t the first time I’ve been forced to do things one-handed, but this is a little different. There is no pain or numbness, the hand simply refuses to work and I don’t know why.
Ella was afraid that I was having a heart attack, but again, no pain or numbness. That would seem to rule out a stroke, too, especially since only my hand is effected.
I don’t do doctors and haven’t been to one for about 36 years, for reasons I won’t go in to now, but if this doesn’t get better, I may end up doing so.
Anyway, if you don’t see me around much today this is why.
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Have you ever had to use just one hand for typing and everthing else?
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Yes
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No
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A heart attack is not certain.
Maybe it’s a spine.
If that’s all you normally say, then it’s not a stroke either.
Still, the doctor is the man you need.
It’s looking more and more like a pinched nerve in my shoulder. The only pain I’ve felt has been when I’ve raised my arm above my head. My wife has a STEMS unit for electro-therapy. I used it on my shoulder and this morning I woke up better and well enough that I was able to tie my shoelaces. That may not sound like much, but I couldn’t do it yesterday
Oh my, I hope this is nothing serious Rex. I had carpal tunnel in both wrists but nothing like this. Please take care of yourself.
I don’t think it is serious and think I’ve figured it out, but if I’m right, it will take a week or so to heal.
Get well soon, Rex.
In my case I would find loss of use of my left hand particularly difficult, given that i do a lot more with it than with my right hand, including writing.
36 years seems a very long to go without seeing a doctor. I would have no qualms about doing so if the need arose – our wonderful National Health Service is the best in the world.
I’m aware of the limitations doctors have. It doesn’t help my confidence any that the last time I went to a dr, they told me that I had 6 months to live IF I went through chemo-therapy. Again, that was 36 years ago.
You must have made some radical changes to survive past such a forecast.
My own mother was not so fortunate, as her diagnosis was to live for one more month, but she did last 3 months.
To be honest, I self-medicated, using slippery elm and yew extract. I also prayed a lot.
My mother prayed a lot too, as we all did for her, but I guess sometimes, prayers are answered in other ways, than we want them to be, at times.
Perhaps she was needed in Heaven, more than she was needed here.