I went to a specialist yesterday who informed me it was a synovial cyst. He took X-rays and also diagnosed me with arthritis in my fingers, too. Well, my fingers have been very busy for a long time so I shouldn't have been surprised.
The specialist believes surgery to be the best option. However, he said I should think about it as long as it isn't bothering me and it isn't growing larger.
I don't like the idea of going through surgery. I also don't like the idea of not being able to get my thumb wet for two weeks, keeping my hand above my heart, etc.
Daughter #1 volunteered to cook supper but I suspect we would be eating hot dogs and beans for the duration.
I got brave this year and signed up to write 30,000 words next month with JeRoWriMo, NJRW's February writing challenge event. I don't want to miss out on that!
One of my friends suggested massaging the cyst everyday and I may do that because for now I've decided to wait. The cyst isn't that big and it's not bothering me. Having surgery would be a huge expense for such a small thing.
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13 comments:
NO surgery!!! You know I have one too....see what happens...it doesn't interfere with your writing and activities.
Grace,
Yours is smaller. :^)
But I do want to wait for a while and see if it stays the same.
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Mark,
No thanks! :^)
I agree to the no surgery thing. As long as you can type with no problem, it's not getting any bigger, and it doesn't hurt, then why cut it out?
But still - sorry you're going through this!
Christine,
Thanks. At first, it was a bit scary, but I'm learning to accept it. I was never very vain about the look of my hands. I never could stand long fingernails and polish. I just hope it doesn't get any bigger.
I'm with you...if there is no pain, it is not medicaly necessary, if it does not bother you, then leave it alone :-)
I'm with the others...except for Mark, of course. (smile) If it isn't hurting, leave it alone. I have a rather stubborn case of rheumatoid arthritis which has tends to bring on rheumatoid nodules. I've had a number of these over the years. One on my elbow actually went away on its own. I did have one that appeared in the pad of my index finger removed because it WAS painful and DID interfere with things I had to do. One on the back of my neck was removed and only afterwards was identified as a rheumatoid nodule. Currently, I have one on my left pinkie finger, middle joint. It is a good deal larger than yours, and does look awful. (But then RA has messed up my hands so much that they'd look weird whether I had the nodule or not.) Since it doesn't hurt, and since it doesn't interfere at all with activity, I'm letting it go.
Sorry you are going through this. I truly do sympathize. Be glad you can keep tying. :)
Julie,
Yes, I am very glad I can still type. It is interesting that one of your nodules went away on its own. I read that happens sometimes. I would be delighted if this cyst vanished on its own, but it seems unlikely at this point since it is only about a month old.
Maybe I should hide it by wearing lovely white gloves like the ladies used to do in the old days. :^)
I had one and it went away on its own. Actually, I accidentally smashed it with a book and THEN it went away on its own. Not recommending treatment but...
Louann,
Just wondering how long it took to go away on its own after the the accidental smashing....
Ow.
My thumb looks just like that now. But at first it was red and sore. Its interfering with my nail growth too, makes a ridge that is higher and lumpy. I go see the Rheumatologist on Monday to see what he thinks, but my GP thinks its a gangoin. I had one on my foot years back-it never hurt like this one is. My other thumb seems to be starting one just like it too. Isn't arthritis fun? NOT.
ShadowsFire,
I'm sorry you're having the problem with your nail growth. My cyst doesn't hurt--although my hand does have the achy arthritis pain now and then.
This getting old business has its special moments. :^(
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