[Misc] Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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shingle

Well-known member
Jan 18, 2004
3,223
Lewes
It's starting to drive me mad, it came on mildly about three years ago and went away for a few months last year, recently it's come back with a vengeance giving me disturbed sleep at night and now it's starting to be a problem through the day as well, although not as bad as during the night. Has anyone got any advice about reducing the symptoms?
 






Westdene Seagull

aka Cap'n Carl Firecrotch
NSC Patron
Oct 27, 2003
21,526
The arse end of Hangleton
It's starting to drive me mad, it came on mildly about three years ago and went away for a few months last year, recently it's come back with a vengeance giving me disturbed sleep at night and now it's starting to be a problem through the day as well, although not as bad as during the night. Has anyone got any advice about reducing the symptoms?

Are you pregnant ?
 


surlyseagull

Well-known member
Aug 23, 2008
848
You can get a strap from the chemist or docs but you must have it positioned right and is only a temporary measure but helped me.
I had a strap on my forearm but I know there are a number of other options i.e wrist..
I had carpal tunnel a number of years ago and it was unbearable so I sympathize.
I ended up having an op.
Apart from a scar and minor twinge now and again usually in winter I have very few problems with it now.....fingers crossed
 


BLOCK F

Well-known member
Feb 26, 2009
6,723
I had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both wrists.
From memory, there is some kind of shaped splint that can be worn on the hand that is meant to help, but it did nothing for me and was a damn' nuisance. I also had a cortisone jab for one wrist which provided only temporary relief. In the end I had surgery on both wrists which was a simple day procedure and has provided permanent 100% relief.
This was about three years ago when life was normal and I didn't have to wait too long either.
Mine was worse at night and the only relief I could get was letting my arm hang down over the side of the bed.Have you tried that?
It is bloomin' awful, so I hope you can get it sorted. Let us hope the NHS can get back to some kind of normality soon and your GP can refer you for the op.
Good luck.
 




A1X

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Sep 1, 2017
20,544
Deepest, darkest Sussex
Try cod liver oil tablets, I had a bit of a flare up and it takes it down after a few days. Those one a day tablets will do you.
 


thedonkeycentrehalf

Moved back to wear the gloves (again)
Jul 7, 2003
9,341
I would see an osteopath to see if they can help. At worst, if you need a support, they should be able to advise on which one to get and how to position it.

Rather than a strap, they may advise trying Kinesio Tape to support the muscles on the arm.
 


knocky1

Well-known member
Jan 20, 2010
13,108
I get it now when I have my rheumatoid arthritis flares. Every 4-5 years and unfortunately one of them at the moment. Hands go numb and then throb with pain every 15 mins or so at night. Have to move them about for a few minutes before pain goes. F****** annoying. Have no remedy and with my history it should be gone in a few weeks thankfully.
Hopefully it’s the same for you. Good luck.
 












HantsSeagull

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2011
4,078
Caught in a Riptide
Thanks for all the advice chaps :thumbsup:

Had it in both hands couple of years ago. The only proper way to deal with it is to have the operation. Once i had my right hand done, the left hand stopped getting numb. Surgeon said it often happens like that.

They send you to some guy who measures the electronic pulses reaching your fingers from your wrist (or something like that) to determine how bad you have it and the operation was under local anaesthetic, which was weird but painless.

No trouble since but it does take your hand about year to regain all its strength.
 


withdeanwombat

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2005
8,731
Somersetshire
You can get a strap from the chemist or docs but you must have it positioned right and is only a temporary measure but helped me.
I had a strap on my forearm but I know there are a number of other options i.e wrist..
I had carpal tunnel a number of years ago and it was unbearable so I sympathize.
I ended up having an op.
Apart from a scar and minor twinge now and again usually in winter I have very few problems with it now.....fingers crossed

Yes, but can you uncross them?
 


peterward

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Nov 11, 2009
12,275
It's starting to drive me mad, it came on mildly about three years ago and went away for a few months last year, recently it's come back with a vengeance giving me disturbed sleep at night and now it's starting to be a problem through the day as well, although not as bad as during the night. Has anyone got any advice about reducing the symptoms?

Just seen your post, not read replies, so sorry if already mentioned. Mrs PW has it quite bad, she’s had 2 steroid injections one year apart (special GP clinic) both gave good relief for months, but it slowly came back. They next offered surgery, but she turned it down as of now, because our son is still quite young and your arm would be completely out of action for 6 weeks post op.

The only thing that helps, is she often sleeps with a reinforced arm brace (when it flares up). There’s tons on amazon. It was a few years back I bought for her, but it’s something similar to link below, but check out different variants ..... it helps a lot at night when it comes back strong.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Support-Adjustable-Breathable-Tendonitisand-Sprains/dp/B0822FQ9B7/ref=psdc_2826212031_t3_B07D2WSC53?th=1
 






WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 10, 2003
27,772
I know my cousin suffered from it for years (and being in the scaffolding industry didn't help !) I know he had a number of cortisone injections over the years, but had operations on both wrist/arms in his late 40s/early 50s and seems to have cured it.

But that does coincide with his business doing well and him going 'upstairs' (not in a scaffolding sense). Sorry couldn't help more :shrug:
 


Saltydog

New member
Aug 29, 2011
1,406
Ocean Wave
I had just been diagnosed with severe Carpal Tunnel in Jan but as non essential surgery was postponed i am sort of in limbo. Need to chase this up again but still not convinced hospitals (around here) are safe for me yet (have a pair of buggered bellows too so am in team risk).

I believe the procedure is pretty straight forward and is done under a local anaesthetic. So if you are otherwise healthy I would have it done.
 


New Seagull

New member
Sep 27, 2015
73
I had carpal tunnel around 8 years ago.
I was getting pins and needles in my thumb, index and middle finger. I wore a splint for a few months but woke in the night in absolute agony. Couldn’t clench a fist to brush my teeth or hold a pen for at least 1 hour in the mornings. I would then be holding a pen or knife and fork which would drop from my hand as I couldn’t grip them.
I had the operation and it has been fine ever since, slight scar around 12mm but been heaven ever since.
 






middletoenail

Well-known member
Jul 2, 2008
3,580
Hong Kong
I had something similar recently. Had a bit of a session and woke up with pins and needles in my hand. Nothing unusual I thought, just assumed that I had slept on my hand, and that it would go away after 20 minutes. I had the numbness for about a week before I went to the doctor.

Had an MRI scan and nerve conduction test, neither came back with any significant indication of anything that the orphopaedic specialist could diagnose me with - it just left me about £2,000 lighter (got reimbursed through insurance).

Was told to do hand exercises (not that kind!), and because the nerve wasn't significantly damaged, it should go back to normal after about a month. 2 months later it's almost back to normal, but not quite 100%, a very bizarre 'injury', if that's what you call it!
 


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