I can't find the post where I reported after my NA on Wednesday so I'm starting a new thread for my Thursday procedure. (Wed was on my left hand and very painful.)The conscious sedation did not work at all. Dr. Pess explained that the light sedation was purposeful because of all the nerves in the index finger. The release on my index finger was only partially successful and already both my index and middle finger are back to pre-NA contractures. Luckily I have an OT appointment on Monday to get splints. ( The fiberglass splints my hands were wrapped into after the procedure are very curved and too small to get my fingers back into even though the bruising and swelling has all but abated.)

I saw the OT hand therapist about two weeks prior to my procedures to get things set up for having splints made and get measurements done. The strangest thing- she measured my contractures at about 15 to 30° LESS than Dr. Pess. She measured my worst contracture, my right hand pinky, at 40° and he measured it at 69°.

My procedure on Thursday on my right hand was totally opposite of what I had experienced the day before. ( My procedures were at two different Surgery centers )First of all, on Thursday it was a Surgi center at a mall. I thought I was in a nail salon to begin with. (On Wednesday it was a fully professional Surgi center with a surgical gurney right at the beginning.) On Thursday it was a recliner. After I undressed, they started my IV - anti-biotics – and then I had to get up from the chair and walk into the operating room rather than being wheeled on a gurney.

Next , in the OR, the anesthesiologist started my conscious sedation IV, put an oxygen mask over my face and that's the last thing I remember until I came to in the "recovery room." I don't remember seeing or talking to Dr. Pess, they wouldn't let my husband come into the recovery room and Dr. Pess was not available to talk to him or to me. When I asked, I was told my procedure lasted only 11 minutes. I have a few needle holes and some bruising but my contractures do not look any different than they did prior to the procedure. I have emailed the doctor asking what happened during the procedure but have not heard back.

My instructions after the procedure were to exercise my hands – make tight fists, put my hand flat on a table and push down hard with the other hand to stretch the joints straight and to massage the nodules and needle insertion points. I was only able to do this for a day after each procedure because it is so painful.

Here is what the problem is. Every time I attempt to even partially extend my RH it is very painful. Both my ring finger and pinky, which were the treated fingers on my RH, are totally numb and the needle- like tingling is very painful. ( This also happens sporadically on my left hand, along with numbness, especially near the tip of my index finger. ) There is also a weird tearing-like sensation that reminds me of that after Xiaflex.

I am very alarmed and somewhat freaked out. I seem to remember a post from Maddie after her procedure with somewhat similar symptoms but I cannot find it. I would appreciate any and all advice and a link to Maddie's post and the advice given her would be very helpful . I will attempt to contact my doctor again on Monday.

spanishbuddha:

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The link to maddie's thread is http://www.dupuytren-online.info/Forum_E...-na-0_1557.html

It seems in her case a nerve was nicked and it took a while to recover.

Maybe this is your case too, but I am confused when you say there is no straightening, and also you don't have a memory of the procedure. I don't know Dr Pess but reading from others on the forum indicates he has experience and is well thought of. So, (s)he should be where to get answers.

Edited 09/16/13 00:47

moondanc:

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Let me try asking a different question. I've never had instructions after NA to exercise, stetch and manipulate my hand so vigorously and I'm wondering if that could contribute top irritation of the nerves and/or numbness.

I know there are lots of folks here that have had NA with doctors other than Dr. Eaton. Have any of you had instructions to vigorously massage, stretch, smash and manipulate the same day as NA?

Thanks for responses so far. In one case, I had bandages to begin with for a couple days and then multiple Band-Aids for close to a week. With Dr. Eaton it was Band-Aids for only a day.

I still remember my first procedure with Dr. Eaton – it was only one finger, MCP joint, I went back to the hotel after the procedure, slept for an hour and then went out shopping – oh for the good old days!

Another question. My post NA instructions say to massage my hand with vitamin E oil. I recall that in the Xiaflex trials they also suggested vitamin E oil but only provided a hand cream with added vitamin E oil. I don't recall ever seeing any information about any benefits of using vitamin E oil on DD. Is there any information to be provided?

Diane

Just another thought ... often, with light sedation, they will add a drug like Versed into the mix. Versed helps you to relax and it also has an amnesic effect. That simply means that you won't have recall of the procedure after the fact. But during the procedure, you are very aware and able to talk and answer questions.

Every year for the first 12 years of my daughter's life, she had to undergo tests for a kidney/bladder problem she had. It was a traumatic test and the doctors needed her to cooperate in order to get proper results. The problem was that she remembered from year to year the trauma of the tests and would panic and get hysterical. So after a few years they decided to give her Versed about 30 minutes prior to the testing. It helped her remain calm and she would talk to the doctor and nurses and to me and was totally coherent. A few hours later when we'd be back at home, she'd have no recall of the tests at all. My husband has a colonoscopy every few years due to his Crohn's disease. They give him Versed and he has no memory of the procedure even though he is awake.

I'm thinking that maybe a drug like this was in the mix of the sedation.

~ dawn