I’ve been battling with RSI for at least 2 years now. And because I never bothered to tag my posts, I can’t link to my older posts regarding my conditionS.

First it was Carpal Tunnel. After the op, I thought my misery is over. But my right arm still didn’t feel “okay”. Going back to my consultant, he said I have tennis elbow and, un-funnily, golfers elbow — all on my right arm. When it rains, it really pours.

I tried steroid injections (which I think causes my depression to worsen and my temper to flare — palusot for being a bitch), acupuncture, physiotherapy. Nothing worked. So I was back in the operating table last year around August to have a tennis elbow release. I wanted to have the golfer’s release, too but the surgeon and my consultant both told me that it may not be necessary… Perhaps the pressure on the other side will lift, too.

Four months after my op, I was still complaining. Half my brain was already suggesting I’m “too” finicky, perhaps it’s hypochondria. But heck I wear my splint religiously and I still get no relief. Thankfully the dull pain is not as bad at night when my arm is already “rested”.

My consultant hazarded a guess (wow) that it’s my tennis elbow. He recommended I go back for nerve conduction tests to make sure my nerves and ligaments aren’t damaged. They weren’t, the tendons are just really inflammed. Ultrasound showed them so inflammed they were appearing as black instead of white, which is what it should be for normal conditions. The steroid injection for golfer’s elbow is the worst kind. It was so painful I had to grit my teeth and pinch my tummy just to distract neurons.

Today is the third day since that piercing day. The true test is a 2 weeks from now according to the consultant. But for me it’s really in a month’s time that I’d know whether it worked or not. If not, then I’ll have to schedule the op for next year. As I just moved to my new job, I cannot fly off too soon.

Keep your fingers crossed! In the meantime, my little hero is constantly kissing mummy’s “hurt” to make it better.

Following from my previous post, lo & behold I received an unexpected call on the day of my tennis elbow surgery. Accenture UK was offering me the job! Wow. It’s my chance to go back to the “world” I’ve been used to. Global company, fringe benefits, stock options you can actually exercise, travel & an efficient office IT support. Oh & yes, personal enclaves!

But sometimes no matter how bad you want to grab this silver platter, you have to let it go. I did. The help I was expecting to come didn’t arrive & will not arrive. So I cannot accept the job that will take me away from home at least twice a week.

I didn’t feel so bad after I sent my rejection letter. All I could think of is how I need to make sure I’ve got no more problems on my hands literally (no more RSI). Then I can concentrate on opening up my doors, my windows, even my bag & know that there are more opportunities out there. Who knows? Maybe Accenture will still be available in a few months’ time?

After 3 steroid injections on my right elbow, expensive physiotherapy & painful acupuncture, my tennis’ & golfers’ elbow is not getting better. My consultant told me to rest for 3 weeks.

This puts me in a bind. We’re very busy at work, our project is due on May & I’ve got additional staff & intern to train. I can’t just up & disappear.

Also the UK Statutory Sick Pay is cr*p. I get taxed heavily but when its payback time, well as our HR said I’m better off using up my annual leave credits. This will leave me with 8 days for the rest of 2006!

And rest has to be that, no lifting, no housework, no PC, no phones. I can’t use my hand very much. My dev manager obviously was very reluctant but then we’re talking about my health & livelihood here. So as a compromise I won’t leave straightaway but stay on until Easter.

Then I will leave the country & stay where I can be pampered. Either at my sister’s in Dubai or my parents’ in the Philippines.

I just hope that after the 3 weeks’ up, I don’t get the pain anymore when I come back to work. The consultant said I should observe it for 3 months. If the pain returns, I’ll be up for a tennis elbow release.

After a carpal tunnel release, now I’ll have tennis elbow release. Great! Please please don’t let this happen again. Not on my left arm. Not on my right leg. Not on any of my limbs!

The worrying thing is, I’ve noticed my dental bridge has been stinging since last week, which might mean — root canal!!! ARGH!

I’ve seen Gilson, my physiotherapist, for 3 sessions now. He’s given me some neck exercises designed to strengthen my neck muscles. He also showed me what my posture should be, so I people can now see my writhe every few minutes trying to get my shoulders in the correct position. I’d be standing in the tube & I’d writhe. I’d be sitting in the tube & I’d writhe. I’d be walking to the water cooler & I’d writhe. I’d be lying down & I’d writhe.

Today was my third session. I was up at 5am & I arrived for my appointment 45 minutes early. If at any point during my travel I encountered a train delay or bus delay I would either be on the dot or very late. So better too early than late.

Anyway I told Gilson the pain is even worse now & the right side of my right arm, which was better due to the steroid shot I had last year, aches everytime I change its position. If I had my arm bent for 15minutes and then stretch it, ouch! If I had it stretched & then bend it, ouch! So today Gilson added more needles & stuck some of it on my right foot & right calf muscle.

I am seeing my consultant after my nasal surgery. I have one more session booked for Gilson, if my right arm’s not getting any better, I will quit paying for the pleasure of getting pricked at least 6 times in different points in my body.

My tennis elbow, coupled with golfer’s elbow, is not getting any better with the 5 sessions I have had with my South African physiotherapist. So today I saw Gilson, a colleague of my physio, to try acupuncture. A session costs £43, but I have to check the bill from BUPA when it arrives as the last bill I had for my physio was £65. The reason I’ve mentioned the fee is because I have already max’d my 2006 allowance on physiotherapy. For my consultation with Gil, I will be paying it out of my monthly allowance. And he said I might have at least 6 sessions! A painful void in my wallet is beginning to form.

I thought acupuncture is still considered an “alternative” treatment. Apparently it has long been considered scientific. Gilson, who is black African & I doubt has a drop of Chinese blood in him, started explaining how the needles work. After a 5-minute scientific explanation, he then shrugged his shoulders & started talking about how the Chinese presents acupuncture to the world, all the Qi & mystery of maintaining the flow of energy in the body. He obviously prefers the scientific explanation better because I had the feeling he resents talking about Qi & it was like I was forcing him to. But I never said a word — I was bored.

I wanted to flick my fingers on my wristwatch & tell him time is gold as I still need to go to work. My appointment with him was 8am & from that hospital, it will take me one & half hour to get to the City.

Anyway, I ended taking my top off & having him stick 4 needles in my back (which is really tense & very “lumpy”. Two went to the clavicle area, one went near the spine (”middle section”, the last on top of my right shoulder. He added 4 more needles: 3 around the elbow area & one “point” on my hand. I stayed in position for 10 minutes & it was done — £43.

He handed me an info sheet (an sop in this part of the world) on acupuncture & informed me we’ll be doing exercises to ease my tense shoulder muscles. I readily agreed. I knew I have to pick up my exercise routine in the near future.

I haven’t coughed up the dough to pay Gilson, the post will surprise me. But the needle-effect, the info sheet says, may take up to a week to see/feel any results. And that in most cases, the first session rarely makes any difference. Good grief!

My “minor” surgery is due next week. Since the first attempt last month was cancelled due to flu, I’m praying I don’t catch anything until Thursday. Last Wednesday I ditched going to work as I felt sickly. I took to bed and got up to do some light office work. Today, a Friday, my throat is sore. I cannot have that! They won’t operate unless I’m 100% okay. They told me last time if I have laryngitis, I’d risk a chest infection… So here I am again sat in our “home office-cum-storage room”, working.

It’s convenient having access to my office network (via SSH). But I’ve been struggling with my broadband connection since Monday. It’s been dropping in & out. I find myself interchanging prayers & curses by lunchtime. I tried everything. Disconnect all the cables on the ADSL modem, restart the desktop, reinstall the modem software, I’ve even replaced my network cable and ADSL filter! I’ve probably spent hundreds on the premium rate tech-support of my ISP, but no dice. I called up the line fault number to make sure there’s nothing wrong with my phone line. So as last resort I’ve emailed the 24-hour support desk & I’m asking them for details on a modem upgrade, as it’s the only thing I haven’t been able to replace.

Gad!

I’ve got 4 more months on my contract. After that I’d shop for another ISP. One with a better deal & better tech support line. (My current one’s in India & it takes too much PAID time to repeat your question & have them repeat their answer, their technical knowledge & their grasp of English need a lot of improvement.) Maybe I’d go for a wireless router next time.