Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[MantasV]

Hello,
I am studying IT in college so I spend lots of time on computer doing my studies and I started to get wrist pain. Its more like numbness not pain big discomfort and My hand don't want to be on the mouse. I take breaks but that doesn't help at all. I did lots of research and everything I read and all the symptoms seems to be that I have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because I have bad doctor I really do not want to go and see her. So I wonder is there any other ways to relief that carpal tunnel without surgery or medication.
I'd like to take medication but I have to see my doctor again to prescribe it. Maybe there is medication that don't need to be prescribed by doctor?

Sorry if I created a thread in the wrong section.

 

[mbeard]

MantasV,

I have no personal knowledge about carpal tunnel myself, but my mom had it in both wrists at different times. And my dentist had it in both wrists at the same time. Surgery was done on both of them and they are pain free now. I am not aware of any other options to relieve it. Get a diagnosis first. Could it be tendinitis ? If so maybe an anti-inflammatory would help?

 

[Mentu]

There are no medications that "cure" Carpal Tunnel. As one who suffered from this, I can tell you that at first my hands would go to sleep and tingle. Carpal Tunnel, is caused by a compression of the median nerve which serves the little finger, the third finger and outer side of the second finger. It starts with numbness and tingling but as it progresses it actually becomes painful and later extremely painful but only when you choose to use your hands.

The only way to permanently deal with is a surgical "Decompression". Once it has been diagnosed, there are some things that can provide temporary relief. The nonsurgical treatments are splinting or corticosteroid injections but none of the people I have come to know, including myself, have found these to be satisfactory.

I've now had "Decompression" surgery on both hands (NOT AT THE SAME TIME!). Surgery leaves one unable to life even a cup of coffee for a week or so but then with time, exercise and physical therapy, strength returns and the pain is gone. My incisions were in the grooves one can see in the middle of the pad of the palm and were about 3/4" long. Today, since the scars are in these grooves, they are all but undetectable. Best of all, the problem is gone. Perhaps, you might consider changing doctors. I think you will need a referral from your GP to speak with an orthopedic surgeon.

Larry