Hi All,

I've really been having a rotten 6 months. I broke my leg in November, and had to have surgery to repair it, which in essence ruined the holidays for me. Then, about 3 months ago, I found I could no longer breathe through my left nostril. I don't know if anyone else here has ever experience serious nasal blockage, but I l learned, months later from my Otolaryngologist, that there is something called 'nasal claustrophobia'. I learned this first hand after literally crawling the walls after several months of this blockage, only to learn that my sinuses and drainage were totally blocked, my nasal septum has apparently been shifted all the way to the left, probably since birth, and combined, apparently with a new nasal polyp, resulted in this breathing problem. I had surgery this past Monday (April 24) to hopefully fix these issues, and let me tell you, the recovery from this surgery is THE most miserable, rotten experience of my 58 years, and is still ongoing, for the next 6 weeks I'm told. Now, on top of this, after waking up from the surgery, I found that the 2 smallest fingers on both hands are tingling and numb, and I have no strength in my hands or arms. I can barely hold a pen, or type, I can only presume that something happened during the surgery to pinch nerves in my cervical spine, The surgeon, on Tuesday, recommended a visit to the Emergency Room, because he'd never encountered this problem and sinus surgery. After 4 hours at the ER, when I tried to submit to an MRI, I found, because of my nasal blockage from the surgery, I could not get horizontal (felt like drowning). So I left the ER against medical advice (they told me this nerve problem could be life threatening). but have another MRI scheduled for tomorrow, hopefully with sedation, so I can tolerate the 20 minute scan. I don't know what the result will be, but I'm guessing it's going to another trip to surgery.

I'm writing here, in case they can't find or fix my nerve problems. I no longer have the strength in my hands to do anything, much less build models. Has anyone else encountered this, and if so, outside of fixing the problem itself, have you figured out a way to continue to build models? I can move, I just have no strength in my hands or fingers, and to a lesser extent, arms. I can barely hold drum sticks (I try to play drums, but that may be over now, also), or even write manually with a pen/pencil. Any thoughts?

PS I really hate to whine, as I know so many others have it SO much worse in so many ways, but my frustration level has peaked...

I just said some prayers for you. Please don't give up! I can't imagine the frustration but where there is a will, there is a way. Maybe make something simple to exercise your modelling skills.You may surprise yourself.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I was told they always seem to come in bunches. The sinus crap should eventually go away if the surgery was successful. As far as the nerve problem goes I get something like that in my right arm occasionally. It has to do with my shoulder and the nerve that goes down my arm. When that is acting up I go to the model/project planning stage until it quits. I feel for you and you have my best wishes. Don't get discouraged I think it is a time issue and things will improve.

Curt
Best wishes with the MRI and with your health problems, but hang in there. I have been having a spat of health problems myself this year 2 blockages in my heart that they won't do anything for and now I have a tear in my minicus that is going to require surgery at the end of May if I can get cleared for it. As far as the weakness in the hands I have what the dr called sever carpal tunnel in both hands that causes both hands to go numb lots if times I have been putting off that surgery for years now. Being on the higher side of 50 ain't easy I feel your pain

Several years ago I went thru a one step forward - two steps back scenario, so I can empathize with the way you feel. Plus, as we age the healing process takes longer. But like others have said, hang in there and try to keep a positive mindset.

Get to either a neurologist, or a Physical Rehabilitative Medicine specialist right away. Also consider an orthopedist for the pinched nerves.

I have been working with a nerve issue in my neck that has been getting progressively worse since I got back from A-stan a few years ago. My VA doctor perscribed a medicine called gabapentin (Neurontin). That has helped, and with every relapse of the tingleing in the arms and hands (like they fell asleep) we have upped the dosages which has helped. I am also scheduled for an MRI for my LOWER back over something that has been causing my right thigh to go numb and my center lower back to litereally feel like it was on fire. I feel for your issues!!! I started going and getting this checked out when I found myself dropping pens and paintbrushes because the sense of pressure in my thumb and finger just wherent there... and spilling my coffee because the cup would slip in my hand with what I thought was a good grip..... keep on it... dont despair just yet

Thank you to everyone who replied and sent wishes. Again, I know I'm far from being the worst off, and I pray for those of you who are fighting their own health battles. I guess it's true that it's tough as we age. I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet...too much to live for!!!!

My dad, who's in his 80's, told me "you gotta be tough if your gonna grow old."

I find I'm having to get tougher.

This isn't to top your problems but to let you know that someone does understand what you are going thru. When I was 19 I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. It was a tumor the size of your fist growing on my ribcage under my pectoral muscles. Now a bit of history, my older brother died of cancer when he was 7 and my father died of it 16 months later. The pain, well you can't describe the pain of something forcing it's way through your ribs while pushing the flesh above out and hearing and feeling the fibers and tissue tearing as this thing was growing. The guys in my unit called it my alien because it looked like something the size of of a softball was pushing its way out of my chest. Several weeks later the decision was made to remove it because chemo wasn't doing a thing. I had lost 40 pounds, most of my hair and my right arm was paralyzed. Good thing I'm left handed. They told me 2 hours before surgery they were taking my arm, ribs, lung and shoulder because it was spreading everywhere. I woke up, raised my right hand and looked at it and started laughing. Freaked the nurses out but my arm [auto-censored]ING WORKED!! Oh yeah it was still there btw. 4 months later I passed the Army fitness, maxing it for the youngest age bracket and put back on full duty. Go forward 2 years and I start having pain in my face, jaw and ear. Noticed a small lump forming and this time the Army was on top of it. They monitored it as it rapidly grew into a the size and shape of a chicken egg on the left side of my face and jaw. It was pushing the ear and ear canal out of position a putting a lot of pressure on my left sinuses. It hurt like hell. After 6 weeks I was evaced to Frankfurt and had extensive surgery to remove it, the saliva glands, the nerves on that side of my face. My face is partially paralyzed and in constant pain as the rest of the nerves that are left are damaged. This was late 88. Long time to be suffering pain like that. 3 months later and back stateside after re-enlisting, I again maxed the PT tests. I was finally forced out of the Army 5 years later not for the injuries, which by that time included a shattered vertebrae, several ruptured disks, a piece of shrapnel going thru a kneecap and tearing the crap out the other knee, but because the cold war was over and my MOS was being shelved. Rather than retrain me they RIFTED me. Wham Bam Thank You Sarge. Fast forward several years and all those injuries have finally sidelined me. Rated 100% disabled by the VA. The long term damage from the cancer and surgeries has left me with partial paralysis and incredible pain in my right arm that has gotten worse over the last few years. It's weak and it shakes at times and somedays it doesn't even work, it just hangs there feeling like its broken and on fire. Three fingers are numb and don't work right most times but I force them to work. The damage to my faces has left me with sinus issues like yours along with the constant sensation of first and second degree burns on the side of my face and skull. My hair actually hurts, I swear I can feel it grow. I finally realized I could no longer use my airbrush (for some reason nobody made a airbrush easy to hold for lefties back in the day) with my right hand so last winter I bought a Grex trigger style that I'm learning to use left handed.

The point is this: If I didn't have something to distract me from the pain my life would be nothing but despair. I have several hobbies. I'll wrench on my truck, read, build models, walk, (rebuilt my bike this winter hoping I can get back out on the trails but realistically I'm sure I'll be stuck to the asphalt but I can still hope) but the thing I enjoy the most is building. It helped me get my right arm working after surgery. I actually built while sick because it was stress relief and a distraction. I'm a pretty cheerful fellow nowadays (not all of it drug induced) despite all this but there are days the pain is so bad everyone backs up and leaves me to do what I need to do deal with it. So don't give man, walk away when you need to but if it is something that you truly enjoy you will learn work arounds and ways to do things with your other hand. Years ago I learned how to airbrush right handed. Now I'm learning to do it left handed so anything is possible.

Thanks for this quote - I'm gonna take it to my grave and also use it as many times as possible between now and then.

Curt hang in there and keep doing what you can to fight back against this thing.

I wish you all the best.

Mike Koenig 67

Hang in there Curt, I have seen some of your great work and hope to see more in the future! Best wishes from the great white north! You have a fight ahead of you but you can and will get through it, I feel your pain having gone through various issues myself, physical and otherwise, you will beat this!

I never met Curt personally, but we know each other from through FaceBook and the Ft. Stewart Museum Thunder Run project.

This past 2016 Veterans Day week, my family and I got evicted from our apartment. God and family came through and moved my family into a house. During that time, money was tight. Knowing that modeling was therapy for me, along with a fellow Veteran, Curt donated a model to me. It was intended for the Thunder Run project, but he took the time and thought to do so.
First and for most, I am not a religious person, but after those few months thinking that the world was against me, God came through.

Curt, you did a good thing for me and God saw that. If his plan is for you to give up modeling due to this medical reason, then be it. Just know this, for one good deed done, one will come back to you.

If everything turn out good and you can continue modeling after everything is said and done, let me be the first to give you back what you gave me to help in rehabilitation.

Hey Curt,
I'll add my encouragement to hang in there. I'm severe diabetic with neuropathy in both feet and hands, along with vision problems. When my hands go numb I have the same problem with holding brushes, tweezers, etc. I feel your pain and frustration. I also use the gabapentin mentioned above. Thankfully I don't have much pain, just a lot of numbness.

I used to work in a lab for an electronics manufacturing plant where the workers used tweezers with Velcro strips attached that wrapped around your finger. They were very fine point as they were used for handling the wire on printed circuit boards. I want to make a jig that I can mount a brush or tweezers to that will strap on my finger.

I build models for fun. I don't enter contests and there aren't any other modelers locally I'm aware of so as long as my builds look reasonably like what they are supposed to portray, I'm okay with that. When I find myself getting frustrated I walk away for an hour, a day, a week, what ever. But I don't see myself giving up entirely. I also spent 30 years in the nuclear power industry. When the pressure builds, let it vent. No harm done. Then pick back up when you're ready. Don't let frustration steal your joy. Life is too short for that. When its all been said and done, this is a hobby. What really matters is, did you accomplish what you were put here to do.
God bless
John

Can I just say first I hope you get better.For the past 30 years I have had to battle my sinus troubles.Also back in December of '04 I came down with a acute bout of Pneumonia that kept me in the hospital for a month.Before and after that time I was so weak it took me a while before I was able to return to modeling.

Only an idiot would get medical advice on a model form.
And only a bigger idiot would give it!

That said, you need a C-spine MRI, and if that isn't rapidly conclusive you need an urgent consultation with a good Neurologist.

From your limited description, a few things are possible (central cord syndrome; bilateral ulnar nerve impingements perhaps from surgical positioning, etc). The good news is with partial nerve injuries, you do typically get (GRADUAL) improvement over time. But the key will be to "name the lesion" and discover precisely what is wrong, and what can be done to speed your recovery.

And I know some paraplegics and partial quads who have used modeling as a form of rehab to improve their strength and dexterity, heaven forbid your weakness is long term, I'm sure you will find a way to do what you love.

Good luck

My Dad was having nerve issues in his arms and legs (he needed a walker to walk), and after almost a year trips to neurologists and other specilists, they found there was disc compressing his spinal column in his neck. He's back to (almost) normal 2 months after surgery.

hopefully the scans will find the culprit!!!

Being a doctor (Internal Medicine/Geriatric) my first advise is to see a neurologist. Continue with with MRI cervical spine imaging.

Several things to consider base on your history.

1. It is striking that you have C8 radiculopathy on both of your hands. This is supplied by the cervical nerve 8. Its rare to get a bilateral nerve entrapment at the distal end. The nerve in your 5th digit is supplied by the Ulnar nerve (sensory/motor function). Issue with the nerve itself can cause this, impingement at critical point can cause this whether its in its track or origin ( cercvical spine, brachial plexus and its terminal end (Ulnar Nerve).

2. Having your nasal surgery, I would understand they did full General Aneasthesia and intubation to secure your airways. They do extend your neck to facilitate intubation, and if they did over extend it they can potentially impinge the cervical spine which forms the root nerve of your Ulnar nerve (C8). At your age you might expect some changes on your C-spine (osteoarthritis) and disc degeneration. Movement at this critical area especially with osteoarthritis can cause nerve impingement.

3. Are there any neurologic signs and symptoms? This is also important as this will exclude or consider areas of the brain to exclude motor cortex issues.

4. Other medical condition you have that will also affect the nerves such as Diabetes.

Wish you the best recovery and get the neurologist to see you and urgent C-spine MRI.

I might be an IDIOT giving you advise here on the modelling forum but as a clinician its my best advise to you.

Dear Curt,

Very sorry to hear about your problems. I had a similar operation at the age of about 11. I was very "nasal" as a child, and the doctors decided I had a displaced septum, so they cut a hole in it to allow me to breathe properly. (I also ought to mention that I had my tonsils and adenoids out aas a child, so don't have much left inside my head!)Of course I was out while they did this and woke up with two black eyes and a nose packed with splints and dressings. When the time came to remove the dressings I asked if they were going to put me out again. "Oh no, there's no need for that", they said. The few minutes that followed were "fun"!

More recently, seven years ago I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. I was told that unless I had surgery I would be dead by Christmas. Fortunately they were able to operate, otherwise I would not be here now. The operation involved eight hours on the table, removal of gall bladder,bile duct, half of the pancreas, half of my stomach and duodenum and a portion of liver. I was told beforehand that there was a one in twenty chance of dying during the operation.

Three years later the cancer recurred in my right lung. I was given two years to live, as the doctors anticipated that now it had re-occurred, it woud pop up all over the place. Months passed and this didn't happen. Finally a maverick chest surgeon decided he would remove the tumor and see what happened.

As a result of two stints of chemotherapy, I also developed type two diabetes! In 2014 I had half my thyroid taken out due to thyroid cancer (a pussy cat compared to what I had already gone through!).

I am now seven years down the line from the first operation. The statistics of survival of Pancreatic Cancer are that only 3% survive to 10 years. I look on every day I'm still here as a bonus. I can still ride my motorcycles and model. I will be 60 this year, a birthday I had no expectation of reaching.

Hang in there and hope for the best. At least in the UK we have the NHS, I can't imagine the extra stress that the cost of your treatment must be giving you. I hope you have good health insurance.

All the best

Steve

I took a bullet to the abdomen. Stopped short of my spine after destroying my stomach. I woke up after 2 days in surgery and there wasn't a single part of me that didn't hurt. The shot wasn't bad, but the surgery and recovery were horrible. I had to push a bag of goo into my guts through a tube 3 times a day, for 6 weeks. Lost the ability to swallow (even water) and had "little hope" of being able to ever eat anything again. To top it all off, my hands and toes were numb and I couldn't model. I couldn't sit comfortably anyhow, but I wanted to paint some cockpits and stuff. No joy.

6 weeks later I regained the ability to eat (and today have a full diet). About that same time my body had shed off all of the drugs they pumped into me and I regained feeling in all of my digits.

Your body is amazing, and it'll overcome this, Sir. Believe in it.

You got this.

First off, I'd like to tell Jon Anderson that my intent in creating this thread was not to ask for medical advice. I absolutely appreciate the thoughts that people have posted, but I hadn't intended to get or follow treatment for my condition based on what I gained here...my intent had been to learn how people have coped with loss of strength and dexterity in their arms, hands and fingers and managed to keep building models.

That said, I appreciate everyone's thoughts. As I noted in my first post, I am well aware of the awful nature of the things so many people deal with every day. Many very serious medical problems that people you see every day must address are things you don't see or don't notice from the outside, I learned just a few weeks ago that a lady I work with has serious Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I had had no idea. I know that many of you have terrible problems to handle in your lives. I have a very significant gait problem, the result of paralysis when I was 12 years old, so when people see me, externally, I LOOK like someone with a possibly severe medical issue. But many, many people do not. I realize that the double edged sword we live with, the result of being able to live much longer lives due to the miracles of modern medicine, is that we are more likely to encounter more and more serious medical problems. But many, many people mange to successfully survive and thrive despite these issues. That's what I was looking for. But it makes me realize that my situation is not nearly so bad, as those of you who have posted with your issues make mine sound, if not trivial, then at least are minimal. And I appreciate that perspective. And I appreciate the incredible inspiration that all of you are who have managed to fight back through terrible ordeals...

In case anyone is interested, I ended up, late Monday, in the office of one of the top neurosurgeons in Las Vegas with my MRI results, purely through good fortune. It turns out that he did NOT see a problem emanating from my spinal column, but rather, he thinks that the problem is in the local ulnar nerve in both of my hands. Why the symptoms should show up at exactly the same time and in the same place on each side, he could not explain, other than to say he's seen it before. I'm now awaiting an appointment with another top neurologist to get nerve conduction tests to find out exactly where the problem(s) reside. So we will see. I really hope this is fixable, as I really want to be able to continue building models and playing musical instruments...

Good luck to you Curt!

Curt, sounds like your on the right path. The right people with the right diagnosis can make all the difference. Lucky for me I have a brother-in-law that teaches sports medicine that I can go to for advice.

My big scare came in 2010. I went to the emergency room thinking my appendix was about to burst. After a CAT scan I was given two options, emergency surgery for a twisted bowel and hope for the best, no promises, or pick out a headstone.

Recovery takes time, it took a couple years for my system to get back to more or less normal, but my sense of smell is messed up. Hang in there!

Thank you to you very nice people. I am certainly keeping my fingers crossed. At the moment, I am scheduled to go back to work this coming Monday, May 8. I'm not planning on having my neurological issues dealt with by then, but I hope I have some office visits at least scheduled by then. If nothing else, this kind of crazy thread shows just how many others have terrible medical issues, too, so we are not alone...