I have carpal tunnel :(

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

I have it in both wrists. I had severe pain so bad for weeks before and after diagnosis that i was getting an hour or 2 of sleep at night, and spending half of it crying from pain.

I wear wrist stabilizing braces at night (can't wear them during the day) that look like this:

Futuro makes left and right hand versions.

I couldn't believe what a difference a brace like this makes. They are about $25 each, avalable at CVS or Walgreens, kinda pricey, but it was WELL worth it to me, since i paid $50 for both, and have worn them at night for 5 years now.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

I should have added that the braces can be worn during the day, just that with my job, i personally can't wear mine during the day.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 6, 2006

I should have added that the braces can be worn during the day, just that with my job, i personally can't wear mine during the day.

Thank you Marie!!! :)

wilbur's mom · Mar 6, 2006

Hi!

I too, have bil. carpel tunnel, (mine due to Lupus and nerve inflammation), and I have found typing on a laptop instead of a keyboard, helps alot! The placement of your wrists with the computer on a desk, keep my hands in good alignment. Wrist braces help alot, too.

allele, LPN · Mar 6, 2006

I have it in my right hand, fortunately it only really flares up during the school semester when I have to do a lot of typing. I wear the same brace that Marie_LPN mentioned and it's WONDERFUL!! I wear it at night only and notice a real difference. Good luck! :)

RANCH GIRL · Mar 6, 2006

Hi Christvs - I had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome for 10 years, taking Motrin and wearing the wrist supports at nighttime. I finally had the nerve conduction study which proved conclusively nerve entrapment and finally had bilateral release via the endoscopic procedure. A neurosurgeon performed the procedure and I've had very, very little problems with numbness, pain, and tingling since. Let us know how you're doing!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 7, 2006

Hi Christvs - I had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome for 10 years, taking Motrin and wearing the wrist supports at nighttime. I finally had the nerve conduction study which proved conclusively nerve entrapment and finally had bilateral release via the endoscopic procedure. A neurosurgeon performed the procedure and I've had very, very little problems with numbness, pain, and tingling since. Let us know how you're doing!

I have the wrist braces now, my doc gave them to me & I wore it last night for the first time. Ranch Girl-were those procedures you had done painful? Thanks!

Christine

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

Procedure wise, i've herard the pain between the two isn't much different. Our pts. are told the same amount of time for recovery from either way.

From a procedure stand point, there's the one difference.

Endoscopic way leaves this length of an incision ----- on the wrist, 3 stitches, the surgeon's preference for dressing and/or cast

Open way leaves from this ---------- to this -------------------- on part of wrist and part of hand, depending on who does it. Agian, surgeon preference for dressing and/or cast.

flasandy42 · Mar 7, 2006

I had bilateral carpal tunnels back about twenty years ago. I had surgery and got instant relief! I had to have it again a couple of years ago on my right hand and he said it might not help this time because of scar tissue...but it did work. Both times I had the incisions from above the wrist to the middle of the palm but these days they do it with a small incision. Non of the non-surgical interventions helped and I'm so glad I had it done. Now if I could just stop getting trigger fingers....lol.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2006

I've been having problems with my hands and fingers going numb and hurting like crazy for some years now. I've been playing the piano since I was 5 years old, typing since I was 12, and doing a lot of crocheting and knitting whenever I had free time (that was when I was a lot younger!). My last DO just frowned when I told him I thought it was carpal tunnel. He told me to go to the drug store and get wrist splints and start wearing them to bed (exactly the same ones Marie_LPN shows in her photo). Well, it worked for me. I still get numbness, especially if I have to hang onto something tightly for awhile. What I do when I'm writing and my fingers get numb is stop and let my entire arm and hand drop to my side as limply as possible. It puts the wrist into a neutral position and the nerve recovers within several seconds and I'm good to go for another few minutes. I have problems with this while I'm driving so I am constantly moving my hand positions on the steering wheel.

rn/writer, RN · Mar 10, 2006

I used to love to sleep curled on my side with both wrists flexed. Not any more. I don't wear splints. I'm kind of in remission although a recent nerve conduction test for another problem confirmed the CTS stll exists. But when I did use them, they made a big difference.

I never did do well with the rigid splints. Found another kind that has a big pocket of tiny plastic beads on the inner side that keeps you from absently-mindedly bending your wrist but still allows you a fair amount of freedom of movement. These did the trick for me. If anyone is interested, I'll see if I can track down the name.