Carpal tunnel

[Jo H.]

Looks like I'm going to have to break down and have carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand,even though I have arthritis and have alot of numbness in both hands even after having surgery on the right hand.
My left hand has swelled all week-end has been doing this often this pain goes up to my elbow.Ice hasn't help any - advil didn't help any. Even though I still have numbeness in the right hand it sure doesn't hurt like the left hand does right now. I don't think it ever hurt this bad like the left one does,just numbness mainly.
So I'll have to go dr. have a look at it. I'm right handed and you would think it would hurt worse because I use it more.
"I don't know,"but I guess rather you have arthritus and dumbness - the carpal tunnel makes it much worse. I'll update once I know for sure. I've had to avoid this numbness but the swelling & pain I can't take this,its constant pain.
I'll update once I see my DR. "Darn it Darn it" .
Kathy :?

[Jo H.]

Kathy, remember get a second opinion. That is best wish I can have for you. A friend of mine had the surgery and it ruined her. She can't do a thing, her Physical therapist recommend she continue with Occupational Therapy. I think her surgeon wasn't in their right mind the day of the surgery.

[Jo H.]

Kathy, I know the numbness you're talking about - it's not fun, either. Let's hope and pray you get good counsel from your doctor. And yes, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Perhaps they can still prescribe a pain reliever that will help without bad side effects. I'll be thinking of you!

[Wanda M.]

Kathy, I pray that you will receive some relief. I have cubital syndrome, more commonly known as tennis elbow. I have to make sure that I sleep with a pillow between my arms, keeping my elbows straight or else I have pain and numbness. Don't know if this would help, but it might be worth a try. Take care and get that second opinion. WandaM

[Patti P.]

Kathy, I have the flare ups periodically because of working all day on the computer and my quilting. I bought those $5 stretchy gloves at the drugstore and oftentimes the pain and swelling goes away in a day. Now everyone is different but if you haven't tried those, it's an inexpensive experiment.

[Liberata T.]

Before you think about surgery (which has so-so success), I suggest you try another course of treatment under a doctor's care.
This is my experience. I had severe carpal tunnel in my right wrist from years of computer usage. My right arm would "fall asleep" all time (even while driving), the fingers were numb, and my sleep was disturbed every night. My doctor first prescribed a wrist wrap with a metal insert and "spoon" which kept the wrist in the correct position. I wore it at night and had instant relief. I also wore it on a set schedule during the day and while doing certain activities. He prescribed anti-inflammatories to reduce the inflammation and swelling. This medication was monitored by the doctor because the dosage could affect the stomach. The inflammation is deep and usually doesn't respond to over the counter pain relievers. It took several weeks and if I wasn't careful, I had to repeat the routine for a week or so. But the treatment worked and I avoided surgery.

[Mary K.]

Libbi - I have used the exact same treatment for my right wrist! It was prescribed for me while I was in the Navy 12 years ago. It has worked so well (I probably have to put the wrist brace on 3 or 4 times a year) that I have looked for a wrist brace for my left wrist too. Yes - avoiding surgury has been a good thing for me! Mary Kay

[Mary K.]

Once you start having numbness, you need to know that if you wait long enough, the pinching of the nerve in that sheath can cause permanent damage. The numbness may never go away if you wait too long to treat it. I called around and talked to nurses, and found the best hand surgeon in our area. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists with excellent results. The wrist braces didn't help me. YMMV.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Mary K.]

Thank you everyone. I'm trying my best to (avoid) having any surgery thats for sure,and I would definetly get a second oppinion. years ago when I had the carpal tunnel surgery I had this in both hands but I had surgery just on the right hand-because of having the arthritus set in both hands shortly after. I'm sure having a good flare up on the left hand. Today it is still swollen but doesn't hurt nearly as much as yesterday,the sleep and placement of your hands does help. I wrapped my hand with ace bandage last night, this does help alot. I need to get a pair of elastic gloves too. Having arthritus in both hands and having numbness in both hands when you have a flare brought on with this type of pain it feels like you have a broken wrist/hand/pain to go along with it. I have done the meds before with these flare ups and they don't do much for me. My right hand I don't recall it flaring up this bad as the left hand is doing all except for the numbness and acheyness of the bones.
I believe having it elavated helps some though I think this flare is going to last afew days,hopefully only afew days. If this is a bad flare that will pass I can hopefully stay away from surgery.

Having arthritus and numbness in both hands always my hands swell alittle each day so when you have this type of a flare up its sets you off to being so "confused" on what to do. Even if I had the surgery for the carpal tunnel I will still remain having the arthritus and numbness. "Crazy isn't it",so I'm like what does it fix.

Its a really tuff call on what to do when it comes to the carpal tunnel and pain when having arthritis/numbness. Funny how the pain doesn't by pass the numbness.

I'll update again later on how the flare is doing
((Thank you everyone))
Kathy

[Mary K.]

You know I had the surgery and I am glad I did I wish I would have done it a long time ago I had both done a month a part so I would say if you have a doctor you like and trust do it Happy

[Mary K.]

I forgot to mention that I had went jeeping/mudding with DH and SIL that week end and My left shoulder muscles was hurting good too from all the bouncing and tossing around," I think this caused the flare up on the hand/elbow". It was pretty sore for two days. The agravating achyness and numbness is present each day, I'm trying my best to stay away from the Dr. and surgery as long as I possibly can. The flare ups can be pretty nasty thats for sure. Better than it was thats for sure.
Kathy

[Mary K.]

Kathy, I will repeat this, when you have that numbness and tingling, it's because your nerve is being pinched in that tendon sheath in your wrist. If you wait too long, the nerve damage from being pinched will be permanent. If you get it repaired by the best hand surgeon in your area fairly quickly, the nerve may be okay.

Pat in Rockport, TX who had the same problem, but got it fixed in time, thank goodness.

[Linda N.]

I've had the carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and I don't regret it for even one second. I actually had my right wrist done in 1984 when they still thought it was a rare condition and only neuro surgeons did the surgery. At that time, I was told the longer you wait to repair it, the more permanent damage you can cause. I didn't need the left wrist surgery until 15 years later when an orthopedic surgeon did the surgery. I must admit, I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have pain, just the numbness. A second or even third opinion is always good before you make your final decision.

[Linda N.]

"Thank you"
I don't know how I missed these last two replys,so sorry. I will have my hands checked again soon,I already know what they will say about the carpal tunnel. I'm just hoping its not permanent damage. Kathy

[Linda N.]

Kathy, if you have the surgery, make sure you have a "hand" surgeon do it. A regular orthopedic or neurosurgeon can do the surgery, but you really want someone who only works on hands. I traveled almost 3 hours one way to have a surgeon who used to work at my clinic do my surgeries, and not one moment of regret. And I advise my patients with hand and wrist problems to go elsewhere, I believe this strongly.

You are correct, Kathy. The surgery won't give you perfect hands because of your arthritis. And you certainly don't want your arthritis worsened because of the surgery. I will keep you in my prayers.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois