 OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
What do you do? My hand is killing me. Ice? Ibuprofen? What works? I've experienced mild numbness off and on for over a decade, but it's never actually hurt before.  And because I'm feeling particularly miserable right now, I'll probably delete smartass or replies whining about off topic posts (which is complete nonsense anyway--this is the Lounge). Don't test me right now. 
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
struggling....can't hold..back....smartass....reply.....  I'll ask Wendy, John, she had both carpel tunnel and cubital tunnel. Have you seen a doc about it? She eventually had to have surgery. Have you had surgery?
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
No, I haven't had either--it's never been this serious. My doctor is an idiot. I had tendonitis in the same hand/wrist a couple years ago and he was useless. I have an appointment anyway with my chiro today so I'll see if he has a friggin clue or can recommend a real doctor who can help.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
She says not much you can do, she used to shake her hand, put ice on it and above all wear braces to limit the motion. Surgery only does so much too and needs to be done before you have nerve damage.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
That's about what I figured. Thanks.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
Be prepared if you go for surgery to be out of commission for a bit. The incision is from about mid palm to a couple inches up your wrist.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I bought Evoluent's ergonomic mouse and it really helped reduce the strain: http://www.thehumansolution.com/evoluent.htmlIt might look gimmicky but not folding your wrist (touchpad or mouse it's the same fold) really does make a big difference. Also, if surgery is indicated ask about the new micro technique that doesn't slice your hand open but works inside out. I know a couple of drummers that have had decent success with that technique.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,403 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,403 Likes: 7 |
It's all you IT guys!
A friend (yes, he's an IT geek too!) had the wrist op and now uses one of these vertical mice (mouse?, mouses?).
He seems ok with it, I'll see him tomorrow and ask.
I know have quite bad shoulder pain because I have been drawing using the computer for nearly 10 years and it's killing me some days.
My own fault I guess, bad posture.
I wish I could complain that the pain was due to all the riding I do, not 'cause I'm driving a desk!
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I've been using trackballs and ergo keyboards for at least a decade. I think they slowed down the inevitable. Might have to look at something like that.
My hand is barely better than a claw. I can't even make a fist.
My boss just came by and said her husband had carpel tunnel. She said the test is to tap the tendons on the wrist and if fingers go numb it's carpel tunnel. My fingers go numb when I type but not when I tap my wrist. So it's likely some OTHER neurological issue.
Joy...
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Be prepared if you go for surgery to be out of commission for a bit. The incision is from about mid palm to a couple inches up your wrist.
Not necessarily true anymore, Ian. Just last year, Judie had this newer "Endoscopic" method done on her right wrist, and her recovery time was less than a couple of weeks.....
http://www.brownhandcenter.com/physicians/cts-scientific-data/12-year-experience-using-brown.php
John, I'd check to see if there might be a doctor up your way who's doin' this procedure now.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Thanks. I kinda doubt there is but Spokane or Boise or SLC wouldn't be out of the question.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404 |
I have it. My Dr put in a Cortisone jab into the tendons.
Stung like hell. But it worked. If it comes back they operate by opening up the sheath that holds the tendon.
Several weeks before it is ok. Don’t get both hands done at the same time!
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
#1 0n both hands at same time, you will effectively be incapacitated with both.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Well, the chiro helped quite a bit. I can actually make a fist now. He agrees that it's not carpel tunnel. I have a follow-up next week. Of course he popped everything, my shoulder, my neck, my elbow and worked my hand over with the jackhammer pretty good. Probably a pinched nerve and/or slept on it wrong.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436 |
I've had a lot of problems with pain in the wrist and hand, as well as other arthritic related joint problems. I've had a couple corticosteroid shots in my hand, one in the index finger knuckle (that's a tough one!), and one in the wrist and it relieved the pain & swelling nicely. But, there's still some pain every once in awhile. I've tried everything except surgery. There's a thing called a Roleo that has really helped relieve some of the pain. It's not a cure, but it was helpful. I think i ordered it from Amazon. http://rollyourpainaway.com/about.html
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
Well I had a serious problem with Carpel Tunnel AKA Tennis Elbow from continuous operation of CCTV camera controls. The pain was excruciating and stopped me from sleeping at night. When I could'nt bear it anymore, I went to a Doctor and she suggested acupunture instead of surgery and drugs. Well to say I was sceptical was an understatement and besides I hate needles. You know they don't really hurt cause they are really skinny and after seeing her once a week for about three months I was completely cured. Unbelievable but it works. We also had to change the CCTV controls to a different type but no more pain without surgery or drugs. I really recomend it John.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 404 |
The jabs in the wrist area weren’t so bad, in comparison. In the fingers that really smarts for sure. Some of mine were locked down and others opening but sort of jerky and not one movement so to speak, if you get my drift. I went white and thought I was going to vomit with the pain. Whew it is still pretty vivid in my memory.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
So, it turns out my chiropractor is a miracle worker after all. Whatever nerve was pinched (probably from sleeping on it) he must've released because my hand functionality is back up to about 90%. Whew... no carpel tunnel this time. I was friggin miserable this morning.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
So, it turns out my chiropractor is a miracle worker after all. Whatever nerve was pinched (probably from sleeping on it) he must've released because my hand functionality is back up to about 90%. Whew... no carpel tunnel this time. I was friggin miserable this morning.
Awesome (well not on the being friggin' miserable this morning, but you know what I mean)!!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 282 |
One other thing that might help is to sleep with wrist braces. They keep the wrist straight while sleeping as most people tend to get all fetal on it curling the wrists and pinching nerves. Keeping the wrist straight at night can reduce a lot of the pain and numbness during the day. Took a couple weeks for me to start feeling the difference.
Pacific Blue/White 2009 America in the TX Hill Country
Not all that glitters is gold. Tolkien. Hmm Must've seen the chrome on my TA coming down the road.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
Quote:
Be prepared if you go for surgery to be out of commission for a bit. The incision is from about mid palm to a couple inches up your wrist.
Not necessarily true anymore, Ian. Just last year, Judie had this newer "Endoscopic" method done on her right wrist, and her recovery time was less than a couple of weeks.....
http://www.brownhandcenter.com/physicians/cts-scientific-data/12-year-experience-using-brown.php
John, I'd check to see if there might be a doctor up your way who's doin' this procedure now.
Cathy too. Same thing; endoscopic surgery took about 10 minutes,therapy for a couple weeks and all better. In fact it was not too long before last years SWTF.
Hell, after having her right wrist fixed the left got better all on it's own.
Oh yeah, her surgery included fixing three "trigger fingers" on the same hand, that's what the therapy was for. So the carpal tunnel part may have only taken five minutes.
Last edited by bigbill; 03/11/2011 1:24 AM.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
In 2009 I caught myself sleeping on my side, propped up with my left arm like a kickstand, but my hand was bent to the outside. Two nights of that in a row and I had a case of tendonitis for about a year. Should have gotten wrist braces then but what can I say, I'm dumb.
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
I hear you man, I alternate between feeling like Arte Johnson's "old Man" character on Laugh-In, and humming "Look on the Bright Side of Life" from The Life of Brian  Like folks have said, finding competent medical care you can trust is key. Being somewhat hardheaded, listening to that competent advice also figures in there somewhere. Failing that, Ibuprofen is a wonderful invention. Good luck  jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: OT: Carpel Tunnel Sufferers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,239 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Be prepared if you go for surgery to be out of commission for a bit. The incision is from about mid palm to a couple inches up your wrist.
Not necessarily true anymore, Ian. Just last year, Judie had this newer "Endoscopic" method done on her right wrist, and her recovery time was less than a couple of weeks.....
http://www.brownhandcenter.com/physicians/cts-scientific-data/12-year-experience-using-brown.php
John, I'd check to see if there might be a doctor up your way who's doin' this procedure now.
Cathy too. Same thing; endoscopic surgery took about 10 minutes,therapy for a couple weeks and all better. In fact it was not too long before last years SWTF.
Hell, after having her right wrist fixed the left got better all on it's own.
Oh yeah, her surgery included fixing three "trigger fingers" on the same hand, that's what the therapy was for. So the carpal tunnel part may have only taken five minutes.
We were not offered that. I didn't know they did that surgery with that method. Sure would have made Wendy's surgery easier.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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