Prism99

I had the nerve test done and was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel in one hand and moderate in the other. Asked a hand specialist if there was something I could do for it, and he insisted I would be back for surgery because nothing would work.

Well, that was several years ago. I went to Walmart and bought the very stable braces for both hands (steel piece runs up the palm); wore them night and day. Asked my dh to change my computer setup to make it more ergonomically comfortable. Cut my computer/typing time in half. Also took citrus bioflavanoid supplements twice a day. The hands gradually got better. Eventually I wore the braces only at night. Now I wear them at night only if I think I might be getting some tingling in the fingertips (very rare).

Our dental hygienist had a similar experience. She had to quit working after a marathon wallpaper remodelling job in her home resulted in severe carpal tunnel. She used a similar regimen to mine and several years later was able to go back to work.

Edit: Oh, I also took aspirin daily. Carpal tunnel is an inflammation problem so anything you can do to reduce inflammation helps. The braces keep the wrists in a neutral position to give the inflammation a chance to die down.

Sadiemae

Prism 99,
Some people can be lucky like you were. However, when I had three fingers that were numb and I was dropping things all of the tme, I did not have a choice. I tried the braces and other things, nothing helped. It just depends on your situation. I don't regret the surgery and I hope that I get all of the feeling back in my fingers.
3Flowers,
You seem to have very few symptoms and the other forms of treatment may very help you.

Ditter43

I have had the problem when I was crocheting a lot.I can crochet now as long as I don't do it a lot. I know I don't hold my hook the way you are supposed to but the strange thing was I had the problem in the other hand! :?:

RevPam

Me too. So I had the surgery on my left hand and I still have pain when I crochet but I no longer have the tingling and numbness.

texas granny

I had surgery 3 year ago after over 20 years of pain. I had instant releaf. If you wait to long you can have nerve damage.
The morging of my surgery I had a totaly numb hand. Dr Bob said it was a close call. I was clear with the dr in 3 weeks. no theraphy. Just make sure you go to hand Dr not just a surgen

theoldgraymare

I had carpal tunnel problems in both hands. When it got to the point that I could not sleep at night for the pain regardless of the braces and massive doses of ibuprofen, I had the surgery. My doctor was a plastic surgeon. I have not had any problems since. Don't wait too long -- you could end up with permanent nerve damage.

Threads of Love

I just had surgery on my thumb and I can see your worry, this has been an ordeal, but I am hoping that it will do the trick. The real pain has been it is my right hand and I am right handed, I go back on Sept 10 to have the pin removed then we shall see. I know that the inflamation is gone, thumb is very painful but I am told that after all the swelling goes down and pin is removed things should be better than normal.
Whatever you do...Good Luck with it and my thoughts will be with you.

lynnie

last aug had 4 operations on hands, 2 on top and 2 on palm of each hand, now i eed anotheron the lft. good luck.if insurance covers go for it, mine didn;t so i opted to be cut.

renee765

I've been lucky so far. When it starts bothering me, I wear the wrist brace for several days and nights and that seems to take care of it.

Gramof6

The test is a good idea. Cannot hurt to see what it shows. I have Carpal T. in both wrists but I have tried hard to not have to go the surgery route. I do wear the braces with the metal pc that goes up your palm. It helps. But I cannot cross-stitch for very long or handquilt for a long time. I have to time myself or I pay dearly. My DH had the surgery & he has done wonderful. If mine gets to where it is unbearable I may have to have the surgery. Ice & the braces are working for now. And shorter periods of hand stitching.