I’ve Got Your Funny Bone, Right Here

posted by Momo Fali on July 15, 2013

I knew I had screwed something up the second it happened.

I placed my elbow onto my desk last week and felt a shooting pain from mid-arm to my fingertips. Actually, it was more like I had shocked myself; not so much painful as much as an electrical sensation akin to touching a live current. We live in an old house. That happens frequently.

By the next morning, my ring finger and pinkie were numb, but I worked through it for a few days. After near-complete keyboard rest on Saturday, it was even worse on Sunday.

The sensation is now up my arm, three fingers are numb and my palm feels like it’s waking up after a long rest. When I bend my left elbow I feel a jolt of nerve something that nearly brings me to my knees. It’s like hitting your funny bone times infinity. When I reached back to wash my hair this morning, I felt like there was a toaster in the shower with me.

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Pretend you don’t see the stack of papers, the discarded mouse battery, discarded mouse, the book I still haven’t finished, the seed packets, or the dental floss from the piece of apple lodged in my son’s teeth last week. This is about my arm!

It hurts mostly when I bend it or place it on a hard surface, so I’m doing a lot of standing while I type. After a visit to Urgent Care, an anti-inflammatory prescription, some grocery store wrist and elbow braces, and neck pillow under my forearm, this is what I look like. I’m moving a lot like stiff-armed Frankenstein; spilling water, knocking over vases, basically monstrous. So I have that going for me.

This is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome and it’s not pretty. Especially not a week before the biggest event of my work year. But, then again, that’s how I roll.

    Comments

  • Mama D


    Murphy’s Law!! So sorry. 🙁

  • Anne Bott


    Ice….andy has similar issues…he has a crazy ice contraption he wears like a mit on his hand every night so he can sleep. Yeah, its hot. But it does work. 🙂 hope u feel better soon. Btw… Your dtr is a joy to hang around. Far beyond her years in maturity and very sweet. We had a good time.

  • Toni


    Oh my, been there AM there…check out my FB post of bootie w/ frozen ensamame inside…

  • Amie


    Dang, that’s even sexier than the carpal tunnel brace I sleep in.

  • Melisa


    I guess with the way things have gone so far I should start taking precautions for MY arm, huh? Sigh.

  • meleah rebeccah


    Oy vey!! I hope you feel better soon!

  • tara


    Holy crap I have totally had this-not quite to your extreme, but my two fingers were numb for months!! It freaking sucks!! I swear I need permanent elbow pads imbedded under my skin because it hurts so bad and is ultra sensitive! I hope you feel better soon!

  • Mare


    I had carpal tunnel repair surgery b/c my hand was always numb. It was like my hand was somebody else’s. I’ve never heard of cubital tunnel. Is that a nerve in the arm? I have to say, the surgery for my issue was fairly routine and it worked beautifully. When we’re all at the computer every day, I guess the nerves rebel at some point. I hope your braces help.

  • Melisa


    *waving*

    I’m back again, because…you know. #Sigh

  • AlisonH


    I’m so sorry! Heal quickly!

  • Toni


    Oh my Gosh, got behind reading your blog because of my CARPEL tunnel, check out my page on FB to see my new braces…..XO