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Who knows anything about carpal tunnel?
Queen of Swords
Member Posts: 14,355
My problem began maybe six or eight months ago. I started to notice my tips of my 2 long fingers and my thumb to my right hand would sometimes become numb, pins and needles sensation. This always happened in the morning, mostly on workdays, and went away in about an hour. I attributed it to stress, too much caffeen.
Around February, one of my coworkers pointed out with a concerning degree of alarm that the fingertip of my index finger whas turning purple. Well, they proceeded to scare the heck out of me the rest of the morning with tales of diabetes, heart disease, and more, so much so that I sheepishly made an appointment with my doctor.
I felt really stupid, as I told the doctor when she examined me, coming to her with such a trivial complaint. She pronounced it as a suspected "boo-boo". She said that in the cold weather, oftentimes people will injure themselves when their hands are numb from the cold, and because their hands are numb, don't realize they have injured themselves. I stated that I did indeed smash it in the door. She wrote me up a script for an antibiotic, just in case it gets infected.
However, that was in February. In the meantime, I've tried several herbal remedies, cayane pepper, milk thistle but to no improvement. Now said index finger is cold most of the time, it will rewarm if I soak it in warm water, and I did "boo-boo" it 2 weekends ago, which healed nicely, so I'm still getting some circulation.
The reason why I wonder if I could have carpal tunnel is because I've recently noticed a snapping pain in my wrist that goes up to my elbow when I make a twisting motion with my wrist, like turning my keys in the ignition, or after a day of continuous driving ( I cover the entire county, averaging 3-4 hours behind the wheel/day). By the end of the day, my wrist just aches, but not so badly that I can't post you fine folks.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Should I see a PT first, or a neurologist? Neurologist will probably want to do surgury immediately, but I've known too many people who have gone through carpel tunnel surgury, only to still deal with the pain.
Thanks, as always, for your input!
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
Around February, one of my coworkers pointed out with a concerning degree of alarm that the fingertip of my index finger whas turning purple. Well, they proceeded to scare the heck out of me the rest of the morning with tales of diabetes, heart disease, and more, so much so that I sheepishly made an appointment with my doctor.
I felt really stupid, as I told the doctor when she examined me, coming to her with such a trivial complaint. She pronounced it as a suspected "boo-boo". She said that in the cold weather, oftentimes people will injure themselves when their hands are numb from the cold, and because their hands are numb, don't realize they have injured themselves. I stated that I did indeed smash it in the door. She wrote me up a script for an antibiotic, just in case it gets infected.
However, that was in February. In the meantime, I've tried several herbal remedies, cayane pepper, milk thistle but to no improvement. Now said index finger is cold most of the time, it will rewarm if I soak it in warm water, and I did "boo-boo" it 2 weekends ago, which healed nicely, so I'm still getting some circulation.
The reason why I wonder if I could have carpal tunnel is because I've recently noticed a snapping pain in my wrist that goes up to my elbow when I make a twisting motion with my wrist, like turning my keys in the ignition, or after a day of continuous driving ( I cover the entire county, averaging 3-4 hours behind the wheel/day). By the end of the day, my wrist just aches, but not so badly that I can't post you fine folks.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? Should I see a PT first, or a neurologist? Neurologist will probably want to do surgury immediately, but I've known too many people who have gone through carpel tunnel surgury, only to still deal with the pain.
Thanks, as always, for your input!
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
Comments
Shane
Lil' Stinker's Opinion
BR...could you explain what carpul tunnel syndrome is exactly???...in laymans terms? My doc did not really explain anything to me except that surgery might be required. Thanks![:)]
Eric
All American Arms Company
www.galleryofguns.com
VIP Code: AAAC
Veteran Owned and Operated
Should I start looking for a neurologist?
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
I have been working on getting my Carpal tunnel beter for the last 2+ years. I have had 2 endoscopies (sp) twice on each hand. Just had the open release surgery on my right hand, have a 9" scar. So far, so good(more or less). The ends of my index and middle finger turn blueish purple and are very cvold and very very painful. Was told that this is a result of the CTS. Waiting on the open on my Left. If I had the option again, I would never have had the endoscopy, but would have had the open release.
I would see a orthopedic hand surgeon to have your hands checked out.If they suspect CTS or somthing similar, they will send you to a neurologist for the electrodiagnostic test. If you leave the CTS unchecked for a long period of time, the nerve damage can be permanent. I waited several years too long and now have nerves that have died off.
Here is a good link for more info on CTS and treatment options:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
Keep it coming, though...
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
Several conditions mimic carpal tunnel: bursitis, tendinitis, or even writers cramp. Diagnosis is made by evaluating the sensation of touch in the palmar surface of the hand and first four fingers. A simple test, the Tinnel test is made by repeatedly tapping the folds at the wrist to elicit a cramping sensation. Another test is the Phallen test in which the back of the hands are held together with the fingers pointing downwards and pressing the wrists against each other for one minute. More elaborate tests include electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. These evaluate muscle and nerve function, and joint anatomy.
I advise my patients rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected wrist. Medications include non steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs taken by mouth, corticosteroids injected directly into the wrist, and diuretics (water pills) to reduce water retention within the joint. Accupuncture and other modalities of traditional Chinese medicine are also quite successful. As a last resort, surgery may be used to liberate the pressure within the tunnel.
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis".
I have a friend of mine who is a chiropractor and he says that he could cure 70% of people without surgery and just the minipulation of the hand bones.He could be honest or just drumming up business,dunno,but it's a thought.
And he's right-
NRA Life Endowment Member
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis".
Ding-a-ling
Some people get up and say"Good Morning Lord"
Others get up and say "Good Lord,it's morning.
jl45
My main bit of advice would be get at least 2 doctors opinions before any surgery. Good luck and I hope it turns out OK.
Education is nothing if common sense and manners are not in the curriculum!
Ohio
Constitution,Artical 1,Section 4
My wife had the same problems you are describing. She did the exercises, wore those damn braces to bed and so on. NO HELP.
Had the surgery, same-day,out-patient type.
She's never been happier, wishes she wouldn't have waited so long.
Just don't do both hands at the same time, unless Hubby don't mind wiping your butt.
Hope this helps, and GOOD LUCK
Luckilly, it's only in my right hand.
I remember years back hearing a woman I worked with complaining that aftert she had the surgury, she had to rely on her husband to do her hair in the morning. The prospect of Mike doing that alone is terrifying...
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
I respect the truth too much to bring it out on every occasion.
The biggest regret of my life is the number of temptations I've resisted successfully.
"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it that the former does not submit to hereditary predjudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence." - Albert E.
On my tombstone:"Keep you eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel..."the Lizard King
I just wish my knee replacement went as well![:(]