Carpal Tunnel

[queenofmean]

I was never formally diagnosed with it until this morning.

I was given treatment injection in the wrist. Told will take a few days etc but if not by a few weeks to go back it may not be CT. I’d then need to see a specialist and may require surgery. I know it’s not Neuropathy. What else could it be?

Symptoms are very aggressive pins and needles, numbness and pain in the base of my thumb central palm radiating out to my fingers. I carry an injury in the shoulder on my right sight but I’ve been told it isn’t likely to be connected as I get the same in my left hand and I have had no injuries to that arm but the pins and needles is also in that arm/hand. It is more frequent but it’s really bad when I am having a menstrual bleed.

[Sqad]

Well, the symptoms that you describe are typical of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and it may well be a neuropathy associated with your diabetes.......but there are other causes.

[queenofmean]

Thank you Sqad, I’m hoping this injection works. Im not not overly keen on surgery. I’m currently in agony. But I’ll need to go through it all again for the other hand. I tried the meds I have for Neuropathy but it didnt respond. But I appreciate I may have been a bit hesitant in dismissing it.

Thank you again. I’m away to learn to be a lefty.

[Sqad]

It's called Carpal tunnel syndrome because the median nerve,which is the nerve involved passes from the arm into the hand via the wrist which has a tight "band " across which allows the nerve to transit into the hand via the wrist. The band is called the flexor retinaculum and tendons, nerves, veins all transit this tunnel in a particular order which never changes.
A common exam question for medical students is to "describe the Flexor retinaculum and the structure which are related to it."
The median nerve though has it's own compartment known as the Carpal "Tunnel".

[furrypusscat]

I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 2 years ago and had surgery, The operation was successful with no further problems. I would certainly have surgery again if the other wrist became a problem. Injections, if they work is not a long lasting cure.

[queenofmean]

What was the surgery like furry?

[furrypusscat]

I am a coward when it comes to surgery unless I am knocked out but it was done under local anaesthetic and was nothing at all to worry about. The op lasted about 20-25 minutes. After surgery the wrist/hand was initially heavily bandaged and had to wear a sling, I think just for a few days. I think I had to have the bandage on for about 4 weeks but then after that I was able to get back to doing normal everyday things. Honestly, nothing to be concerned about.

[queenofmean]

That’s a relief. I’m a bit funny about surgery too and being a diabetic I’m not overly keen about not being able to do my own injections. I can’t move my hand after the injection today. That’s my only issue.

[furrypusscat]

Good luck, hope you get some relief whatever you decide.

[marval]

I was the same as furrypusscat, had carpel tunnel surgery some years ago. It was absolutely fine, done under local anaesthetic, back to normal very quickly.

Hope all goes well for you queenie.

[queenofmean]

Thank you Marval- it’s good to hear people’s experiences. Right now I’d gladly saw my wrist off.

Thanks everyone

[yogi-bear]

Hi QoM,

I would echo what furrypusscat and marvel have said.....one of my sister's had it years ago, when she was typing daily for the MoD, and she had the surgery.....exactly the same dressings as furry's too.......my sister now lives in Lanzarote, where she owns a resort pool bar and restaurant....just seen her at Christmas over there, and her hands have never worked so hard to make sure her guests are happy ☺

Hope all goes well try not to worry about the procedure, as really is routine.

[queenofmean]

Hiya Yogi!

Thank you, means a lot x

[Barmaid]

I've got CT and tendonitis and tenosynivitis. My goodness I could chew my own arm off some days.

I was diagnosed 20 or so years ago and was told then that the severity of mine was such that an operation had significant risks. I guess I ought to investigate having it done now given the way stuff has moved on. I just cant afford to take more than a couple of weeks off tho!

[yogi-bear]

Hi Barmaid

It might be well worth looking into, if you can find the time, as I was talking circa 1985/6 when my sister had her operation, so procedures must have definitely progressed.
Best of luck, if you do pursue, BM.

If I was anywhere near Whitehall/Leicester Square way on weekdays, I used to meet my sister for lunch.....cost me a fortune she did ☺

I wish you all the best, Queenie

[cassa333]

I’m off work after my second wrist surgery for Carpal Tunnel.

If they hadn’t done the first on (this second one wasn’t as bad) TBH I would have cut my own arm off with a rusty knife the pain was so bad. It got to the stage the pain went all the way up to my elbow!!!

The injections helped for about a year and it often helps for longer but I started a job that was very repetitive and heavy so it came back quickly and with a vengeance.

If it gets that bad it is well worth the operation. I sat and watched a lot of it.

[Tippy]

Had my left hand operated on last February..took 11 minutes..gauze dressing..hand bandaged told to remove bandage after 2 days.and renew gauze dressing (supplied and self adhesive)..dissolving stitches bandage discarded.
Right hand "done" October..14 minutes..same aftercare...back driving motor after 7 days...no problems.
Just keep flexing and waggling fingers when idle....I was apprehensive but nothing to be overly anxious about....PAIN FREE !!
Bite the bullet and go for it...best wishes.

[queenofmean]

Thank you everyone. You’ve have made me feel differently towards surgery. While I may heal over a longer period of time it’s got to be better than this! I had the injection this morning and my hand well I’d happily take the saw in my car to it. The pain went up to my elbow too! It’s madness!

[queenofmean]

Best of luck BM if you go ahead x