Folks Of Interest Don't worry, he's 'Armless.............

Doc..keep in mind a pain in the arm is much better than a "Pain in the Ass"
You dont say your age but when I was 6 years old I recieved a third degree burn on my left arm from elbow down,doctor told my folks I would never have much use of it from scar tisue...I am now 78 and have full use of it and most friends do not even notice the scars,,I guess time heals many things

 

Whatever happens, the HAMB is there with you Doc.
Get more opinions, see more specialists and keep us posted

 

Hey Doc,..

I hope its not a Veterans Hospital your going to,.. Might just be my opinion,... but I have rarely been impressed ( read that "never") with anything in a VA hospital,... You really need to find a Doctor that can help you out,.. not just throw his hands up in the air and give up...... Fight for it my friend, We've been through worse.

 

Amputation is not an option...how would you salute the flag? Never give up...

 

........Good advice....I'd do a lot of reseach also...would check with other doctors around the world....amputation would not be an answer.....my prayers are with you Doc..

 

It could still cause pain after they remove the arm. Like the other guy said, it's raw material for when they find a fix down the road.

 

Sorry to hear it Doc. I can't imagine what a difficult decision that must be, and I agree with getting more opinions.

I won't bore you with the details (unless you want) but I also have chronic pain and actually have a pump in my belly shooting Morphine into my spine. If I took all my other prescribed meds each day I'd be a drooling zombie. Instead I take just enough to keep the pain tolerable and still be able to function.

My point is, if you can keep the pain at a tolerable level and still have some use of that arm, I'd keep it as long as possible.

Or at least I think I would - NO ONE knows what they'd do in a given situation until hey are actually in it.

Either way Brother, my thoughts are with you.

 

Doc my mother lost a finger when she was little and like the others have said the pain does not go away with amputation. The other folks are right, keep looking for alternate ideas, opinions and treatments.

Hang tough do not let it get you down, it will all work out.

 

Yeah get a few more opinions Doc

The medical end of things is called a "practice" for a reason, some are better at it than others and some have practiced on others in your situation and may have a better view into how to deal with this

Sorry to hear about your issue, its never a good feeling to have to make a choice of cutting something off of you, that you've had your entire life. I wish you the best outcome.

 

Hey Doc, I agree with 40 coupe keep on livin no matter what. I severed all of the nerves going to my right arm in a motorcycle accident back in 98' and it's been freeloading off me ever since with almost no movement. I still do everything I used to for the most part ( no more bikes though) I figure the lord wanted to put me on the same level as all you mortals I just can't figure out how to tie my shoes keep your head up man and good luck

 

My lack of knowledge shows here but does Australia have sociallized health care? If so, maybe it is time for a trip to the States. We pay for it but it is second to none. The one in our area is the Mayo clinic.

 

Chin up cat! I shall pray for ya!R~R

 

I'm sorry to hear that doc, I hope a second opinion gives you better news!

I work with a guy who had his arm amputated after a terrible car accident. He says the phantom pain is as bad as the real flesh pain was, but he can't do anything about it. He does still do everything he used to do though. He hunts(crossbow) and fishes and rides snowmobile(like a jetski but for snow fore you southern folk).

 

Wow! I'll be praying....

 

I would personally leave the arm on.Is it muscular pain or nerve pain,Is the pain excruciating or livable ,Sometimes pain will subside with time.Even nerve pain......Goodluck doc.Until its useless leave it alone, Hamb opinions count .....................

 

Doc, If you can still make use of it and the arm isn't degenerating, DON'T GIVE IT UP.

Pain is just a warning, right? Like a temp light on the dash... If you know it's not getting worse, KEEP DRIVIN!

 

After my last motorcycle race in 1974 Dr. Told me I could never work again not really knowing the extent of my injuries I asked for options. He told me fusing my knee was the only way that I could go back to work. My first thought was "how do I drive my roadster?" Doc offered to fuse it at any angle I wanted. Couldn't imagine walking with a bent knee either
Second Dr. Said I would never know till I tried. I had lost all motor skills. Took two years to learni how to walk. Went back to work 3 months later .
38 years later still have pain but am so glad I got the second opinion. I never went back into racing but I still have that option. And at 70 I have so many kinks and pains it hard to remember which leg I fucked up
Good luck with what ever decision you end up with.........Jim

 

I'd pass on the amputation deal. Take more pain killers while seeing more doctors!

Seriously, only you know what's best but searching out every option / specialist makes the best sense to me. That last resort should only be your very last resort, IMHO. All the best, Gary

 

buggers, sorry to hear the bad news Doc.

I hope it all turns out for the best.

I suppose I best be nice to you now!

cheers

 

You have all the advice a fellow could get, so I'll just pray for you, Doc. Hoping for the best.

 

Bummer man! That's rough, the older I get the more pain I have in my right arm. I've thought/wondered what I would do in this situation. There is no easy answer but as said before get as many opinions and options before you "cut the f**ker off" once it's off it's off. I don't have an answer for you but I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

 

Damn Man ,sorry to hear.

Prayers to ya for better health..

I triple the second opinion thing....
God Bless you Doc.

 

Doc - get a second opinion. This is advice from someone that did not get a second opinion when diagnosed with rectal cancer........but in my case due to dumb luck I just happened to get the best colo-rectal surgeon in the area and did not end up with a permanent colostomy, but it could have gone the other way.

As for life as an amputee, a friend of mine lost his left arm (he was/is left-handed) right below the elbow at the age of 8. He ended up making a living in general aviation; A&P license, Multi-engine, Instrument Commercial ratings with over 20,000hrs - most of them flying pipeline patrol. Among the airplanes he owned was a Pitts special, Citabria and his last one, a Beech Baron.

 

So sorry to hear that Doc. I hope another doctor will think of better options.
I hope things turn for the better soon for ya

 

Keep the arm!!!...Somewhere theres a Dr. that can fix this...Keep the faith brother...

 

I feel your pain. I had some scaffolding break away from under me 13 years ago, broke both ankles(one crushed) I had both fused togeteher and live with the pain everyday. Its a real pain in the ass but I just bite the bullit. I even built my T modified with a auto tranny so I wouldnt have to be pushing pedals all the time. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!!!

 

I'm assuming its your elbow if there discussing fusion. Try a joint replacement if possible, not too common for the elbow and only a few centers do this. Amputation is a last ditch effort we rarely perform and why would one consider this before total joint or fusion. There are some newer medication which can be helpful as well such as Lyrica.

Geoffrey
Teton Orthopeaedics

 

If worse come to worse (hope it doesn't) we have some crafty fellers here that could prolly make a new arm......BUt yeah; do everything ya can to keep it.

 

When someone mentions Australia DocWatson is who we think of. Wishing you the best of luck. This isn't something to consider chopping, stock is just fine. Bob

 

Very sorry to hear of your situation. It reminds me of my Doctor who lost the use of his arm in a bicycle accident in the Army. He has decided to keep his arm, I imagine with the hope that he can have the use of it back some day. Good Luck! and may all the positive forces be with you.