Carpal/Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

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Has anyone gone through or have known someone that has gone through nursing school with carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome? I start my actual nursing courses in August, but if this brace and medication don't work, I may need surgery. I've just worked so hard to get to this point that I don't want to delay becoming a nurse any longer. If anyone could share their experience, I'd greatly appreciate it.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I had cubital tunnel surgery years ago. Off work for eight weeks. The rehab was not bad at all. I would be talking to my school TODAY to find out when / how clinicals occur and if you can be accommodated wearing a brace.

Which do you have - cubital of carpal? Because there's a huge difference in the degree of disability while rehabbing. And can you just take the brace off and go to clinicals if push comes to shove?

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Specializes in Emergency, LTC.
Has anyone gone through or have known someone that has gone through nursing school with carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome? I start my actual nursing courses in August, but if this brace and medication don't work, I may need surgery. I've just worked so hard to get to this point that I don't want to delay becoming a nurse any longer. If anyone could share their experience, I'd greatly appreciate it.

My mom had carpal tunnel surgery about 10yrs ago. One hand first, recovery, then the other hand and recovery for the second one. I myself am getting a bit worried because my right hand has been numb for a few days and I have cramping in my knuckles. Asked my mom what age she started showing symptoms and she said 23 (which is how old I am right now). I start med/surg and OB in August for second semester and I'm just going to suck it up and carry on.

I definitely recommend getting checked out by your PCP because school starts for suggestions. I'll be doing that this summer. It's so important to care for your health during the 2 core years. You need all your strength for clinical! Best of luck :) Keep us posted.

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I have carpal tunnel and am in my second semester of nursing courses. I had been having flares through out my pre-req's. Made the decision to push through without surgery until I graduate mainly because I was worried about recovery time.

I splint at night and sometimes during class if its bad. Bought big fat pens to ease the strain. Icy hot and ibuprofen in my bag at all times. I get cortisone shots as a last ditch effort but I can't use my hands for days after don't try to avoid that.

Good luck to you!

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I had cubital tunnel surgery years ago. Off work for eight weeks. The rehab was not bad at all. I would be talking to my school TODAY to find out when / how clinicals occur and if you can be accommodated wearing a brace.

Which do you have - cubital of carpal? Because there's a huge difference in the degree of disability while rehabbing. And can you just take the brace off and go to clinicals if push comes to shove?

Thanks for the advice. I have both in the same hand, but the cubital is the worse. My occupational therapist said that I can take the brace off in the day time if need be, as long as I do not bend my elbow or rest it on anything which is extremely hard being that I have a baby. She knows I'm in school, so we're hoping this thing works out. I won't know for sure until I go back to my ortho doctor.

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My mom had carpal tunnel surgery about 10yrs ago. One hand first, recovery, then the other hand and recovery for the second one. I myself am getting a bit worried because my right hand has been numb for a few days and I have cramping in my knuckles. Asked my mom what age she started showing symptoms and she said 23 (which is how old I am right now). I start med/surg and OB in August for second semester and I'm just going to suck it up and carry on.

I definitely recommend getting checked out by your PCP because school starts for suggestions. I'll be doing that this summer. It's so important to care for your health during the 2 core years. You need all your strength for clinical! Best of luck :) Keep us posted.

If it comes down to it, I don't know if I'll be able to push through it, I will try though. I have seen my PCP, which sent me to Ortho, which is how I ended up in Occupational therapy. The therapist is trying her best with me since she knows my classes start in August. I'm hoping the same thing doesn't happen to my other hand like your mom. Keep me posted on how things go with you as well. I just feel like so much is happening at one time and at the wrong time.

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I have carpal tunnel and am in my second semester of nursing courses. I had been having flares through out my pre-req's. Made the decision to push through without surgery until I graduate mainly because I was worried about recovery time.

I splint at night and sometimes during class if its bad. Bought big fat pens to ease the strain. Icy hot and ibuprofen in my bag at all times. I get cortisone shots as a last ditch effort but I can't use my hands for days after don't try to avoid that.

Good luck to you!

Wow, I have to commend you on that. I seriously don't want any surgery, so if push comes to shove, I'll have to do exactly what you're doing. If you don't mind me asking, what type of pens do you use? Also, are your teachers concerned at all and do the ibuprofen make you drowsy? I have some 800mg ibuprofen and Neurontin, but both of them make me drowsy.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If it's your non-dominant hand, a rolled up washcloth held loosely helps immensely. ALWAYS travel with a small pillow or beanbag to rest your elbow on.

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If it's your non-dominant hand, a rolled up washcloth held loosely helps immensely. ALWAYS travel with a small pillow or beanbag to rest your elbow on.

It is my non-dominant hand, so I truly appreciate the advice. I am definitely going to do that and I happen to have a small pillow that I can lug around.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

The surgery is pretty simple and there isn't much down time, to my knowledge. I have it but have managed to keep it at bay thus far.

I also have tarsal tunnel and had the surgery for that.....a lot of down time for that one :-(

Wearing the braces at night is the best thing you can do, IMO. Also, invest in a trackball in lieu of a traditional mouse. I did, and it's been way better!

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The surgery is pretty simple and there isn't much down time, to my knowledge. I have it but have managed to keep it at bay thus far.

I also have tarsal tunnel and had the surgery for that.....a lot of down time for that one :-(

Wearing the braces at night is the best thing you can do, IMO. Also, invest in a trackball in lieu of a traditional mouse. I did, and it's been way better!

Thank you for the advice, I'll have to go get one of those mouses. I have been wearing the brace overnight now, which seems to be helping, however uncomfortable it may be lol. I just want to make sure I do everything I possibly can before surrendering to surgery.

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If you don't mind me asking, what type of pens do you use? Also, are your teachers concerned at all and do the ibuprofen make you drowsy? I have some 800mg ibuprofen and Neurontin, but both of them make me drowsy.

I had good luck with the Dr Grip pens. But they smear sometimes. Just look for a pen with a bigger barrel.

My teachers haven't said anything but I don't know if they even notice when I wear a brace to class.

Are we allowed to discuss medication side effects in this manner? I know medical advice is not allowed. Don't want to violate TOS. I better look before I say anything.

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