carpel tunnel

[cypressgirl]

Lot's of problems due to computer hours. Just got wrist braces, but not sure they will help. Any advice or solutions besides surgery? I'm not in a lot of pain, but have the numbness, tingling, swelling, being awakened at night with the tingling is totally got to go. Any advice is appreciated. Typing with these wrist bands is almost impossible. I just hope there is some relief.

[bevm]

Have you tried acupuncture? And I mean traditional Chinese Acupuncture....

[cypressgirl]

No...have not tried that. I really never thought of it.

[chicagoans]

My doctor and some of the women I work out with (a trainer and an occupational therapist) have each told me to adjust how I'm sitting. The way my desk is set up, the mouse is higher than it should be. I believe your elbow should be bent less than 90 degrees and your shoulder should not hike up to hold the mouse. (I end up raising my shoulder and arm, and I get knots in my shoulder muscles that lead to a stiff neck etc.) I have a big, very lovely mahogany desk that I'm not ready to replace, so I haven't done anything yet but probably need to find a way to lower where the mouse is.

In addition to sitting properly (lots of people don't, including me) it's important to take several breaks during the day to stretch and move around (including stretching your hands and wrists.) (I trade off sitting in my comfy desk chair with a large excercise ball, just to keep me moving.)

An OT might be able to take a look at your set up and give you some ideas for adjusting your space to give you some relief, and give you some excercises and stretches to try.

Good luck!

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[Cid]

I've heard many people have good results using voice recognition software to reduce the number of keystrokes and mouse gestures. I'm not sure what type of computer user you are other than being a frequent forum poster. The software I've used is Dragon Naturally Speaking and its very easy to use and integrates into many popular applications including Microsoft Office and I believe Quickbooks as well. I haven't actually used it in several years, but it was helpful when I suffered paralysis in my right arm. The reviews I've read about it lately have been very good. Being a guitarist and frequent computer user, I've been thinking about going back to it just to avoid what you're going through now.

I hope maybe my suggestion is helpful and that your condition improves.

[Joppa]

I worked as a meat wrapper for years and it's very common in both wrappers and cutters. Try Vitamin B6, 100mg morn and night until you get relief, then 100mg at night. Wear the wrist braces to bed. This will prevent you from putting your hands in positions that could be contributing to your problem. Some people tuck their hand under their chin, or hang a hand off the bed. This has helped many people I know.

Good Luck

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[cypressgirl]

I also worked 17 years as a dental hygienist, but haven't practiced in many years. I never had any problems then. I don't know if that has anything to do with my problems now, but I didn't start having any symptoms until I got my laptop for Christmas. I'm on the computer a lot more now because it's so convienient....watching TV, in bed, etc. I don't know if it's possible, but if I got off the computer for a while, I wonder if my symptoms would go away. That's like not breathing. I don't know how in the world I could do that. Maybe just cut back to a bare minimum. NO more Internet shopping.

I'll try the B-6. I keep all the B's around the house for various reasons.

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[cypressgirl]

The best way I can describe it is as if someone put a tourniquet around my upper wrist. It's not painful, but very annoying, and I wake up many times a night and do my best to keep my wrists straight. Sometimes I shake them really hard to get the numbness out. I am about to crash and I think the braces will help. Not too sexy, but who cares. Good night and thanks for the tips.

Deb

[PA Girl]

I used to have it so bad, I would wake up in agony in the middle of the night. The left hand (I am right handed) was especially bad. This went on from about 8 years. I was scheduled for surgery once but cancelled when the doctor retired. While pregnant, it became unbearable.

Then it totally went away, just like that. I haven't had any problems in about 2 years.

I did change jobs during that time (but still office work) and I think weight change may have had something to do with it.

You might want to look into this - I believe there is a link between thyroid issues and CT. My female neighbor had both wrists done and then a year later had to have her thyroid removed. She said she was told by the docs that it is common in woman to have both problems.

[cypressgirl]

The braces allowed me to sleep through the night, but I still have a tight and slightly numb feeling in both hands and fingers. I have a lot of swelling in my hands and even my wrists. I can't even wear my rings. I've been using an ice pack this morning to see if that will help the swelling, and I've noticed that when I press the ice pack on the underside of my wrist, I get a fast, shock like impulse that shoots into my hands. I can force it to happen by pressing on my wrist in just the right spot with the opposite thumb. But I have to say, the braces helped a lot, but I was ready to take them off this morning.

I won't be typing much today, but if anyone else has any encouraging words, I'll be around. Thanks to you all, for any advice you can give. I hate anything to do with Dr.'s, and I'm bummed that this looks like one of those things I've going to have to bite the bullet and get done.

[mindehankins]

I got complete relief of my night time symptoms with just the braces. It was GREAT to sleep through a night! I had to get a shot of steroids in my right wrist, to make the symptoms go away, and it hasn't bothered me much except for times where I do too much with it, like painting or driving long distances.
The injection was about 6 years ago. It hurt, but I haven't had bad symptoms since!

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