Carpal Tunnel

[OlympicMtDoo]

Anyone else suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome? I had it real bad in my left wrist and ended up opting for surgery about 10 years ago. It hurt so much, starting at my wrist and going up my arm clear into my back. I couldn't sleep at all so I really had no choice. The surgery did stop most of the pain but over time has rendered my left hand 95% useless, thankfully I am right handed. I now have it in my right wrist and have so far refused surgery because if it comes out like my left wrist I won't even be able to wipe my own ass. I wear a brace on it at night which does so far allow my to get a little sleep at night. Anyone else have any experience with this stuff and what did you do about it? Thanks in advance for any advice. OMD

[Dancing4dan]

Take a daily thiamin and omega 3. I want told I needed to have surgery. Now I don’t have carpal tunnel syndrome. Took a while, but it worked.

Do some reading up on it. Interesting stuff.

[Setsumi]

I had it in my left wrist. Got the op about 18 years ago. That first 3 weeks after the op it hurt real bad. And I had no power in my hand for a long time but today I am glad I had the op.

[NZChris]

I stopped doing the job that was causing it about ten years ago. I've never had any treatment and no longer have any symptoms.

[Bushman]

I have arthritis in my right thumb and can’t grip anything or lift anything heavy.

[LWTCS]

I thought I permanently injured myself by using my block pliers to cut bolts just a bit too big.
I felt a "snap" in my wrist.
Thankfully a long rest period passed and all seems OK.
Can flair up if I over do it these days.

An aspirin seems to help.

[WeeBit]

Yah, went thru that 25yrs ago. Both wrists, did left first then 6yrs later the right. Years of hard work, skinney wrists. My surguries went good, full use of hands and no pain. Wore a brase when i could. Nite time DMSO and aloe vera. Life has become easier at work, im the nolegeable one now

[OlympicMtDoo]

Great to hear that some folks have made it through this stuff with good results. I cut old growth timber for many years and when I was younger dug clams professionally for many years. I guess I couldn't think of anything else to screw my hands and wrists up any more than digging and running a heavy ass chain saw. I have arthritis in all my finger joints as well which is no help either, oh well I'll stop whining. One of my favorite sayings to my kids and Grandkids is if you're going too be a whiner be a quite one. I just need to make the decision on surgery or not. OMD

[DontSpillAny]

In 2018 I had both wrists and ulnar(?) surgery on my right elbow because of a type of brazing process I did and taught for over 30 years. I had the old type surgery that split the wrists and went up into the palm. The healing process was the second worst of it, I thought the testing was the worst part. I wouldn't say I'm 100% but close enough to fixed.

[Pesty]

Got pretty severe CP, hands tingle just typing this. I don't work as hard with my hands as used to but it is what it is. surgery is not an option as the healing process is 4-6 months and my livelihood depends on using my hands. A little bit of exercise and stretching helps. Wearing braces to bed like basic skate wrist guards has helped the most to keep me from bending them while sleeping.

[Yonder]

I have arthritis in my right thumb and can’t grip anything or lift anything heavy.

Get your doc to prescribe “meloxicam.” I was taking it for knee pain and “presto” all of the arthritis pain in my right thumb disappeared.

[Bushman]

I have arthritis in my right thumb and can’t grip anything or lift anything heavy.

Get your doc to prescribe “meloxicam.” I was taking it for knee pain and “presto” all of the arthritis pain in my right thumb disappeared.

Thanks.

[Grappa-Gringo]

I've got something similar, but different. Ulna neuropathy.... from the funny bone down to my lower (two small fingers) in both hands. Could be complications from being a type 1 diabetic, or from many sports injuries over the years. Been diabetic for almost 50 years...
Usually occurs when I'm laying down in bed- have to move my arms around as if to bring the blood back into circulation.... pins and needles...

Don't let it limit you....stay active my friends....

[Manic Mechanic]

yep both hands Been wrenching on hot rods for 40 years. right side (dominant) couldn't sleep without meds. first surgery did not work. second surgery 4 weeks ago.. now I have strength but thumb, index, and middle finger are continuously on fire. but I can wipe my but now! brace at night for left hand avoiding surgery and stressing left hand during the day. Good luck. Many of my friends have had great success with surgery. sucess rate according to my doc is 77 %.
still dont lift wash pails with my right hand!

[seamusm53]

While it might be too late to make a difference, find a physical therapist who can advise you on exercises to stretch the ligamentous band which gives rise to the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It might help as a non-surgical approach.

[OlympicMtDoo]

I tried physical therapy but it didn't do anything for me. I have started wearing a brace at night on my right wrist and it does help quite a bit. I got injections in both wrists the other day and that helped a lot this is the most I have been able to use my wrists in more than a year. I know it won't last but if it helps for as long as the injections that I get in my knees I'll be delighted. I get the knee injections and it lasts for 6 months or more. Gettin old aint for sissies so when I become a whiner I try to be a quiet one. OMD