I May Have Carpal Tunnel :(
I don't know what section to post this in, so I apologize if it's the wrong one.
I went to the doctor today, and she thinks I have carpal tunnel (from scooping food while helping pack meals for malnourished kids at a volunteer gig). I’ve been told to wear a wrist brace and give my wrist a break for a month.
I’m really really sad because this means that I can’t do the things I normally do, like draw, write, type (this hurts…)... I’m struggling emotionally because of this. It’s been a hard day after that appointment… My doctor did tests that hurt my hand, and the wrist brace is making my wrist hurt a lot right now.
I could really use some love rn… My heart hurts. Between that, my best friend being hours away for school, a logistics issue at home, and more, I’m feeling very down rn. I feel like I’m grieving for the activities I’m losing, in deep pain (it radiates from hand to shoulder; I have previous conditions like arthritis and an old shoulder injury as well), and just… sad.
Can I have some love please? Also, suggestions for pain and activities I can do that minimally involve my hands? Thank you <3
P.S. Please be patient with my slow responses and/or capitalization/spelling. I may really only be able to post on my phone with my other hand, with slow and minimal responses. Thanks! <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
I was thinking about who you are, why did you create that very nice post. Why , when sure we haven’t interacted much. Anyway.
i see this.
both my wrists have been operated on for carpal tunnel syndrome. It really is painful especially at night.
thankfully however post open release surgery it has gone.
Idk if you have more reasons that would complicate the surgery but it’s very straightforward. Complete resolution right hand, 6 years, left 2 years.
take it easy, I’m sure you know activities that aggravate it. Push for the conduction test, (a electrical pulse is sent up the nerve and the response time due to resistance is a clear diagnostic) it’s not pleasant though.
you shouldn’t have to lose what you enjoy doing. It can be fixed. It takes 15min , local anaesthetic, stitched up bandaged up and off you go,
yes it leaves scars. Waking constantly with no amount of painkillers all night and loosing what you day to day also leaves a different type of scar.
i hope you can get a resolution soon.
if you wanna know anything about it happy to talk about it.
Mine was so bad when they opened me up my nerves were flat… i assume they are supposed to be round 🤷🏻♀️, due to similar passing comments of surprise by the surgeons.
Those braces are rubbish. Try getting them off when both hands in them and unable to use your hands in pain.. almost chewed them off. They don’t work for everyone.
Hope you are feeling better
Because you deserve love. You exist, therefore we love you <3 You’re here, so you’re our family. We take care of family <3
I’d rather not do surgery. I’m scared of surgery lol
You have special nerves! Hey, special body parts are cool, not weird. They give you character <3
The brace helps me when I wear it overnight <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
i understand you may be fearful, rightly so. Someone roaming free with a scalpel on your wrists… not a comforting prospect. Unless in the right hands.
What is your biggest fears and even the smallest regarding surgery?
special person who ignored things to the point of fractured sleep for max 20 min every hour of night..rest spent in pain.
im really glad the braces are working for you. Finding positions, strange but hanging your hand over the edge of the bed helps. But wont help the longer it goes on. Especially unhelpful if both hands effected.
i really do wonder the fears you hold if you want to share?
Mostly just pain, and taking time off. I can’t afford it.
Wow… That’s not much sleep. :(
Hmm, that might help me too! Thank you <3
@jesusredeemedme2425
pain? You are potentially experiencing nerve pain. There’s nothing worse. I don’t know your occupation but depending a week for light work and a tad longer for heavy work and it’s gone, I had tynol and ibropro. For couple days
@jesusredeemedme2425
you carry on ignoring or not addressing the pain I am sorry to say it’s a real possibility. Yes I am reckless but taking like 8 ain’t inflammatories every hour out of depredation, walking round for 30 min the pain subsides about wake in 2@ min agin . Not great.
we all age , it’s routine. Pain insignificant to what you likely been going through. I’m not a dr obviously so not medical advice but just my personal experience.
I would go through the surgery for you if I could. Please talk with medical professionals. You don’t have to suffer or miss out
@jesusredeemedme2425
evasive @jesusredeemedme2425…. 🤔
🫂
please excuse the apprehension, it’s difficult to suppress..
if you can identify the specific task that flairs up the pain the most, try cut them. identifying those specific tasks can help. I knew mine and would undertake them knowing I would pay later.
find the pattern
Evasive?
@jesusredeemedme2425 I have had carpal tunnel for years now in both arms from shoulder to hands. I had to go twice a week for therapy where Ya have yer hands in water an exercise da hands then youre given playdough dat pretty much its loike yer rakin’ a bread of sorts pusing yer fingers into da dough. Then dey have dey have these soft balls dat comes in light medium an hard an pressong da ball wit yer fingers into da palm of yer hands. I also have rheumatoid arthritis. When I start feeling any pain coming on in my hands or arms I use both a compression glove an compression sleeve. Naturally if arms dont hurt then I only use da gloves which 8 times out of 10 I only need da gloves. Depending on da intensitity of da pain I might wear it for 48-72 hours an after awhile I c’n take it off an for me I find dat da pain is gone. I try usin’ as natural as possible rather than resort to medication.
@jesusredeemedme2425
Hello, very sorry to hear that you are in pain and for all that you are going through. After working as a secretary for over 20 years, I developed carpal tunnel in both of my wrists. Many years of typing caused this problem for me. I recall feeling a dull pain in my wrist that travelled up my arms. At night my hands would go numb. Eventually, while still, my hands began to go numb. I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedist who specialized in hand and wrist problems. From there I was sent to a neurologist who performed nerve testing of my hands. These tests were very painful, but they were necessary to determine if I should have carpal tunnel surgery. In 2000 I underwent carpal tunnel surgery for my left wrist/hand. The surgery was successful and a year later I underwent carpal tunnel surgery for my right wrist/hand. Several weeks after each surgery I returned to work performing the same secretarial duties that I had done for years. I continued to work at the same position for almost 15 more years. I do hope that you will be able to return to your normal activities in the near future. I am not suggesting that you need surgery, but I wanted to let you know that it was the best option for me. My doctor informed me that if I failed to have the surgery, that I would lose the use of my hands. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk. Have a nice day.
@sabeyesofblue3535 Wow I never knew there was anything such as surgery for the issue. I know I got it through typing as well. I had got my very first computer and Honestly I went too far wit it by staying on da computer more than what was necessary going on it 7 days a week anywhere between 8-16 hours a day. The pain traveled from my shoulders down to the finger tips. Pain wouldn’t leave. Eventually I did go for therapy due to doctors referral. Eventually I started using compression gloves which tend to help when pain hits. I am having some discomfort now as I write You. I see my doctor end of next month at which time I will mention what Ya stated regarding therapy and discuss wit him if this would be an option for me. If not then possibly get some type of therapy 1-2 times a week. I definetly will be in touch with You. Thanks for corresponding with me About this.
@eternalHero77
Hello, so sorry that you are struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome. When I learned to type many years ago, we used manual typewriters. When I started my first job I also used a manual typewriter and at a later date, everyone was given an electric typewriter. I was not introduced to a computer at work until the late 1980's. Therefore, many years with having to use even more pressure to type was taking a toll on my wrists. Something that you may want to consider is to make sure your workstation is ergonomically correct. After I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and had had my wrist surgeries, my employer had my workstation set up to be ergonomically safe. If you are experiencing pain and numbness, I would not hesitate to see an orthopedist who can refer you to a neurologist to have a nerve conduction test done. This testing determines whether or not there is nerve damage that may require surgery. My orthopedist performed both of my surgeries. While recovering, I went to physical therapy where they specialize in hand therapy. I am not suggesting that you need surgery, but if you are having significant symptoms, I would highly recommend that you see a specialist in this field. Please feel free to reach out to me. I am more than happy to talk with you. Take care and have a nice day.