Carpal tunnel syndrome

[Birky]

Has anyone had the test for carpal tunnel? Had one today and really wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I think I was being electrocuted along with some torture with needles. The Dr. said that I had no nerve damage but that doesn't mean I do not have it. Going to wear a splint and see what happens. I think my body parts are wearing out after 28 years on this job. I can't take the anti infammatories because of the coumadin or is there something out there that I do not know about. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Birky,

Several years ago I had the NCS(nerve conduction study) and the EMG. I had problems with an ankle and had been treated with non-steroids, steroids, physical therapy, and rest without relief. I had a tarsal tunnel problem as a result of RA(rheumatoid arthritis) and chronic tendinitis. I had surgery to remove some of the bone and had the tendon sheath removed. It took a long time before I was painfree. I walked with a cane for several months and had a very stiff ankle for quite some time after that. The surgery was a success for me but sometimes the results arn't quite so good.

I'm sorry you are having carpal tunnel problems. I know many young women who developed carpal tunnel problems when they were pregnant but I think all of them resolved on their own. I do know if you are retaining fluid then the problem is often much worse.

 

[McCln]

Has anyone had the test for carpal tunnel? Had one today and really wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I think I was being electrocuted along with some torture with needles. The Dr. said that I had no nerve damage but that doesn't mean I do not have it. Going to wear a splint and see what happens. I think my body parts are wearing out after 28 years on this job. I can't take the anti infammatories because of the coumadin or is there something out there that I do not know about. Any help would be appreciated.

You can take Tylonal, it is also inflammatory, but the best person to give you advice on the inflammatories is the doctor. There is not much to do for carporal tunnel except not work, or surgery. There are some physical therapy exercises instead of surgery. Ask the doctor about exercises to do. Good luck. I have tendon problems myself. I feel for you.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[Nancy]

Hi Marcia-

I've had that test a couple of times. I used to do computer drafting and spent many, many hours on the computer.

It is not my favorite test, that's for sure. I did not have any permanent damage. I wore a splint at night and still do if it's giving me problems. I also purchased some elastic fingerless gloves to use when I was on the computer. The splint would have been impossible to use while drafting on the computer. The gloves helped in that case.

So the splint at night, and the gloves during drafting gave my hands the needed support and kept the numb feeling under control.

I'm retired now, but can still get that feeling from time to time. I just go back to the old splint at night and the gloves during the day, and in a couple of days, it disappears.

I also have a mousepad with a gelpad wrist rest. That works great.

One more thing, I found some simple hand stretching exercises which gave me some relief. I simply pull back on each finger very gently until I can feel the stretch and hold for a few seconds. Also stretch by pulling all of the fingers back while my arm is extended. Nothing to drastic, just gently.

And you probably already know this, if you hang your arm down and let your muscles relax, you can shake your hand around and the numb feeling will go away.

Hope everything works as well for you as it did for me.

 

[MarkU]

I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand twenty years ago. My doctor had me try a splint/brace for several months, but with no effect.
The surgery was done on an outpatient basis, and I missed about three days of work.
The worst part was the tenderness in the palm of my hand where they made the incision. I didn't realize how thick and calloused my palms were. I couldn't use simple hand tools, like screwdrivers, for many months afterwards.
The good news is that the surgery was successful and alleviated my symptoms.
Mark

 

[Gisele]

EMG Study

EMG Study

I had an EMG done last week for my foot. I found it to be very unpleasant. I got nervous every time the doctor would lean into me with that prong as I knew I was getting zapped. The needle portion of the test made my muscles very sore. They were questioning nerve damamge versus stroke damage. I spoke with my neurologist last week and it looks like I have chronic nerve damage but he wants to review the test with the neurologist who performed the exam and get back to me. I asked him how I could be fine going into the hospital and within 24 hours of surgery end up with nerve damage. He thinks someone might have leaned on me during surgery.

I don't know how this will be treated or what can be done about it. Guess I will take one step at a time

 

[Birky]

Nerve

Nerve

How could someone lean on you? I think I would ask for a better explanation of what happened? I always wondered what could happen to you when they put you to sleep. In watching some surgeries on TV, they seem to be pretty rough on you when you are sleeping. I can hardly watch them doing liposuction. That is gross. I watched them putting a rod into someone's leg last night and that was gruesome. Used hammer and everything. I don't think I want to know if they use a chain saw or what on the sternum. Today my hand is like a toothache. Could be from the rainy and cold weather. Had to fill out a 6 page employee's statement today on my hand. I work with this stuff but what a pain in the dupa to fill out. Thanks,

 

[Gisele]

How can someone lean on me????? That's what I would love to know. I want a more precise diagnosis before I start looking into the cause. This would have been on my surgery for my subdural hematoma in Boston and the neurologist who is dealing with me is a local neurologist. I am not dealing with the neurolgists at MGH any longer and I don't think I would get an answer out of them anyway. I just wish someone would have looked into this when it happened back in August. I would love to get down to the bottom of this.

Good luck with your carpal tunnel. I think you might be restricted with what you can take for it though because of Coumdin. What has your doctor recommended?

 

[Birky]

meds

meds

He has only given me Darvocet for pain which I try not to take unless it gets really bad. Mentioned oral cortisone which I will not take so I don't know what is left that doesn't effect the INR. Vioxx worked for me prior to surgery for my knee but that isn't an option any longer with the replacement. I just got back from getting my teeth cleaned and I was really bleeding. INR was at 2.7 last week so I guess this is the reason. Getting a valve fixed or replaced is not like getting your appendix out. This takes life long management which people don't seem to understand. They think you should not be having anymore problems once the surgery is done. I could go on and on but what is the point, hmmmm. Hope you can get some info.

 

[bvdr]

Marcia,

I hope this doesn't get you down too much. You sound like you are feeling a little overwhelmed. I know how you feel, sometimes I feel like my body parts were all given the signal to break down too. This will get straightened out though Marcia, even if it seems like a mess right now. This is just not a problem that is quickly irradicated.

I've been doing a little surfing on the web looking at the various treatments for carpal tunnel and I hope one of them gives you some relief. It doesn't seem like they do surgical intervention as quickly as they used to. Do you find the splint comfortable? Do you have it in both wrists?

If the Darvocet helps then by all means use them.

I have often wondered about all the non-related inflammation problems that those of us with Rheumatic Heart Disease seem to pop up with. I just know there is a link in there someplace.

 

[Birky]

carpal tunnel

carpal tunnel

Thanks for your reply. So far I only have the splint on the right hand. I did see something at one time regarding rheumatic fever and arthritis but not sure where. My daughter has rheumatoid arthritis. She is 37 and has 4 kids which include a set of 6 yr. old twins. Took forever for her to get diagnosed. Finally is on ss disability and is finding some things that she can do at home to make a little money. She has a degree in social work but with her condition, can't do a full days work. She is on Enbrol which requires 2 shots a week. She asked the Dr. when I had the surgery if this could be related and he said not. If they can't decide on something here, I will go out of the area as I did with my heart and maybe get some answers. No more cortisone shots since they did nothing and hurt a lot. The splint is not very comfortable but keeps the thumb and wrist from moving around a lot. Been trying to wear it at night and then 1/2 day at work. Everything I do is on the computer or using this hand for something else.Thanks again,