Diagnosis- Carpal Tunnel

[Nephythys]

yeah-fun.

Been in pain alot at work- the best they would do for me is send the office manager over to "adjust" my keyboard. What a joke.

I finally could not take it anymore so I had my manage check out workmans comp- she had me set an appt with my Dr and sure nuff I have carpal tunnel.

I am going on anti-inflammatory meds, getting wrist guards for night (how sexy is that?) and he has written a letter telling them they need to get my set up at work changed. By someone who does it for a living thanks- not some chick whose best advice was to spend money on a chiropractor since we had to all have matching chairs.

Oh I about came unhinged. I said I found it hard to believe that someone would be forced to sit there in pain so that the office chairs all matched.

I don't think so.

So- whee fun fun. I also have some muscle loss in my hand from the nerve damage.

Anyone else have this, or have experience with it?

[fairygoodmother]

I had surgery last April for moderate CTS on the left, and again in August for severe CTS on the right. Living with the pain and discomfort is not fun. Really try therapy and wearing the wrist guards, but if that fails, surgery is a good alternative. I immediately felt a difference. Now you'd never know there ever was a problem, aside from the pencil thin scars on the hand.

Look here:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/c...pal_tunnel.htm

this was a helpful site for me

Good luck!

[PrincessY]

Went through the anti-inflamatories (stomach couldn't take it), wrist splints (felt like it made things worse, tho' others have said they work), physical therapy, cortizone shots. The only thing that actually worked was getting a new job that didn't involve sitting in front of a computer all day.

Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

[Nephythys]

Thanks- since this has just been diagnosed I am just starting out and learning about this.

We'll see.

[BFJen]

I wore the gloves - totally unattractive, but they really helped me! I hope that you can get it taken care of one way or the other! If not, I've had friends and family that had the surgery and really liked the results.

[Morrigoon]

Never been diagnosed, but I definitely was well on my way at one point. Spent weeks in wrist splints, and also thought they made it worse/last longer.

BEST thing I ever did was get a Microsoft Natural Keyboard. Cost me about $50, and worth twice that. Also, instead of splints, for support I occasionally use a "craft glove". It's a tight spandex glove you can get at Michael's or other craft/fabric stores. It provides support without freezing my wrist in one position.

But understand this was entirely without the supervision of a doctor

[Nephythys]

I have the fancy ergonomic keyboard. The Dr says I need to put the keyboard lower-

I am anxious about tomorrow- to see how cooperative work will be with fixing things for me.

[BFJen]

I used the craft glove - it was for needlepoint or something. It just kept everything compressed. I even wore it for playing tennis a few times when my hand started feeling strained again.

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

Word to the wise:

If you have poor posture, slouch at your computer, and especially if you have to raise your arms higher than your waist to place them up on the desk to type on the keyboard, then you need to make sure that this isn't a problem with your neck and shoulder instead of your wrist.

There's a condition called "thoracic outlet syndrome" which often mimicks carpal tunnel or RSI. And the problem lies in the area of the neck and shoulder where arteries and nerves that run through the arm to the hand are pinched off between the clavicle and first rib, because of tight scalene muscles and tight pectorals.

Definitely worth checking out with a physical therapist or physician who understands this stuff. There are simple arm and head motion tests to elicit specific symptoms to see if TOS is a possibility.

[Dr. Earkid]

So sorry Nephy! I don't have carpel tunnel but already have been experiencing some arthritis in my shoulders and have limited motion. Not fun! Good luck darlin'.

[Nephythys]

Word to the wise:

If you have poor posture, slouch at your computer, and especially if you have to raise your arms higher than your waist to place them up on the desk to type on the keyboard, then you need to make sure that this isn't a problem with your neck and shoulder instead of your wrist.

There's a condition called "thoracic outlet syndrome" which often mimicks carpal tunnel or RSI. And the problem lies in the area of the neck and shoulder where arteries and nerves that run through the arm to the hand are pinched off between the clavicle and first rib, because of tight scalene muscles and tight pectorals.

Definitely worth checking out with a physical therapist or physician who understands this stuff. There are simple arm and head motion tests to elicit specific symptoms to see if TOS is a possibility.

I will certainly keep that in mind- thanks

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

I have the fancy ergonomic keyboard. The Dr says I need to put the keyboard lower-

Having the keyboard too high can cause the scalenes to spasm and shorten, which causes those nerves in your arm to be pinched off near the neck. You should really check this out to be certain that's not a thoracic outlet problem:

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...?Thread_ID=206

[Nephythys]

I will call the Dr tomorrow and ask.

Based on the link I do not think that is it-but I will ask.

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

I will call the Dr tomorrow and ask.

Based on the link I do not think that is it-but I will ask.

I decided to add my two cents because this was my problem. The chronic pain doc first thought carpal tunnel, even though the symptoms weren't quite right. The orthopedic specialist said it wasn't carpal tunnel, and she was right. It's TOS.

For me, the big tipoff was rounded shoulders, with one shoulder "drooping" more than the other. Drooping shoulders is a definite sign. I'm short, so no desk is low enough for me to write or type comfortably, without a high chair. And I also do needle crafts, like knitting, which typically drops your head forward, putting even more strain on your scalene muscles.

Desks/keyboards that are too high, doing things where your head drops forward, and unconditioned shoulder and chest muscles contribute to this condition. If any of this rings a bell, then you owe it to yourself to look into it.

[Nephythys]

I really do appreciate it- I really will ask.

Rounded shoulders? Like curving forward?

I'm sure the Dr will have some guidance for me.

Thanks!