I too had carpal tunnel pain for over 20 years. Had surgery on both wrists last year and instantly no pain. When I had the nerve conduction test, I was told by my neurosurgeon and the neurologist that I had severe problem and without surgery I could expect extreme pain and 95% chance of frozen hands/fingers/wrists without the surgery. So I would advise having the conduction study done and then make up your mind about surgery.