posted on November 3, 2004 04:15:10 PM new
When I have a flare up of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome it makes eBaying very difficult. (There I made it related!) I went to my hand specialist today with a relapse of numbness and stiffness in my hand. Two injections over the last 9 months had kept me pain free but it has only been 3 months since the last injection and he says it is time to consider surgery. He says some of his patients have no pain at all and most can just use Tylenol. I have been on line (I know my doctors hate that.) and I am reading message boards about people in weeks of terrible pain. Have any of you had the surgery recently? The only person I know who had it was years ago and my doctor says it is much less invasive now.
I would love to hear from any Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery survivors.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on November 3, 2004 04:30:15 PM new
I had my right hand done about a year ago and am very happy. Still acts up on occasion but I figure, at my age, should expect that. The guy cut right on one of the 'folds' in the palm of my hand and you cannot see where he did it. Was suppose to not use my right hand for about 6 weeks, including driving. How does one not use their right hand, especially if they are right handed and have a husband who you might as well say doesn't drive? Stopped on way home from surgery at nice restaurant and treated myself and girl friend to great lunch. Was able to use silverware despite the fact that my hand was heavily bandaged. Would I do it again? Definitely. Have a job that involved lots of fast hand writing for lengthy periods of time and still able to do that. Also, bought a pair of elastic fingerless gloves, (designed for computer use-can be found in quilt shops), that I often wear when doing the writing as they provide a certain measure of support and are VERY comfortable. Hope this helps. Good luck, Ruthie
posted on November 3, 2004 05:59:19 PM new
I had my right hand done about 12 years ago. The scar is actually on my wrist below my palm. Perhaps because of where the incision was I was able to use my hand after about a week or 10 days without a lot of discomfort. I was in a cast for 6 weeks but I started a new job about a week after surgery and did just fine as I recall...it was a long time ago...
Before surgery my hand had gotten so bad that I couldn't hold silverware to eat or even hold a piece of paper between my thumb and fore-finger. It was painful and I had no strength left in it at all. Because I was compensating with my left hand it was starting to become symptematic but after the surgery the left hand started to feel better.
posted on November 3, 2004 06:09:21 PM new
Thanks for the response. My doctor says I can not drive the day of the surgery but says I can use my hand right away. He says I should not lift more than 5 pounds for several weeks. I go in on November 30. Wish me luck.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on November 3, 2004 06:46:00 PM new
Go see a good chiropractor. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and I went to the chiro and he worked on a nerve just to left of my shoulder blade. bingo - no more pain and I haven't had it since.
posted on November 3, 2004 09:48:11 PM new
From what I have seen Carpal Tunnel Surgery can either be a complete recovery or a complete disaster. I have not seen may good surgeries but you can't take the advice of us as you have to make the decision for your self. How much pain are you in? How many days can you not use your hand? Maybe go get another opinion so you can be sure you do the right thing. Good Luck in your decision.
posted on November 3, 2004 10:09:30 PM new
I have severe carpal tunnel on both hands; some days are good, some are bad. I'm sick and tired of my hands going numb, cold, whatnot. I had it professionally diagnozed but lost health insurance before I could do the surgery. I'm hoping to be full time by the first of the year and then I am getting the old snip snip on those tendons!!!!
posted on November 3, 2004 10:11:26 PM new
Had it so bad, I contemplated surgery and knew many in my work area who had had surgery. (Did a lot of data entry for legal documents.) Most found it didn't help; others had more than one surgery on each hand. There are no guarantees that this surgery will help based on the research I've done.
I was on some prescription anti-inflammatory for 6 months which didn't help. Mine was so bad, I actually developed a bump on the wrist area. After being rear-ended in an accident, the ER doctor took me off that "crap" and prescribed Advil for the TMJ (jaw joint) I suffered due to whiplash. Yes, the swelling in the jaw was visible at the ER. Well, after a few weeks on Advil, the bump went awary and I haven't had Carpal Tunnel since. I've spoken to many nursers who have had carpal tunnel and they know many people who have had it. A lot swear by Advil. Just my 2 cents........
I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV.
not toybuyer on eBay
posted on November 4, 2004 05:24:43 AM new
Toybuyer - Advil is the best! I have arthritis, and also TMJ. A couple of years ago, the doc wanted me to take Vioxx. I'm very leery of the new drugs - I think they are more about making money than helping patients. I said no. He said that Vioxx was equal to nine Advil (or generic ibuprofen, which is what I use). I told him I would NEVER take nine Advil in a day. Boy was that ever a good decision! As far as the carpal tunnel surgery, from what I have seen it can go either way. A coworker had the surgery, was in a cast for a long time and reported later that there was not much improvement. However, the surgery is out patient now, no hospital incarceration.
posted on November 4, 2004 07:07:58 AM new
I am reading all the entries and still considering. I tried Advil and it did not help much. I do trust my doctor. He says that after the surgery I will ask why I put it off so long. Hope he is right.
Right now I am designing a web site for a friend that requires a lot of hand formatting. That is the hardest thing for me to do. I try to avoid the repetitive movement but the nature of the material makes it necessary sometimes. I try to take breaks and change off on the way I move my hands. Today is a pretty good day but yesterday was not.
I need to call my primary doctor today to set up the pre-op tests if I am going to do it. Sunday I was at brunch with friends and at one point I had to put down my fork because I could not hold it. When I can't eat it is time to do something!
Thanks again for all the response.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on November 4, 2004 06:33:51 PM new
Well, one bonus might be that you don't feel any need to do any housework for a while! Vacuum cleaners weigh more than 5 pounds, right?
posted on November 4, 2004 06:58:59 PM new
Good point Roadsmith!
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
