Okay, I did the follow up with a dedicated hand surgeon this morning , who went over the x-rays, labs and reports. He then tested me again for carpal tunnel.

Good news is that its not carpal tunnel...Thank God! I am able to make a fist again, move each finger individually and together towards the palm, unlike Sunday mornings rigor mortis feeling.

What we discussed what lead up to the sudden attack. How I was feeling a tad arthritic in the middle two fingers from the base knuckle to the first joint. Because it was rather cold that morning. And that by evening I had taken 1000 MGs of Tylenol. Then, I tried out using a couple hours later, since the pain was still bothering me, a 0.075% Capsaicin topical analgesic pain relieving cream across the effected area.

I still wasn't getting the desired results, and at a suggestion, added some Icy-Hot to the area 3 hours later. I then went to bed.

And at 4AM thats when I woke up in utter pain from the elbow down and rushed to the ER.

The surgeon looked at the tube of Capsaicin cream, then asked again "How soon did you apply the Icy-Hot?"

What he came to conclusion was that between the Tylenol, the cream and the Icy-Hot, I brewed up a best described Ammonia and Bleach combo in my own tissues! The Icy-Hot literally drew in the capsaicin deep in the tissues and forced the tissues to swell up.

So, no need for surgery...fantastic! And I learned...never mix capsaicin cream and Icy-Hot within hours!

Bad news, I still have a pending nasty ER bill coming in the mail soon!