Oh for wrist’s sake…
Its been eight months since I went in for carpal tunnel release surgery in my right hand, and I’d love to be able to say things are picture-perfect. But with the way the last few weeks have gone, I can’t say that with confidence. In addition to still not having my full strength back in my right hand, I’ve got other issues cropping up.
Back when I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel via the ridiculously archaic method of being electrocuted while needles were stuck in my hand muscles (I’m dead serious – THAT is the method available in modern days to diagnose carpal tunnel-its like a horror movie), both hands came back showing carpal tunnel issues. Even though my left, non-dominant hand came back showing more damage than the right, I opted for surgery on the right hand first because 1.) I had more discomfort in that hand and 2.) it’s way more of a pain in the ass to get surgery on your dominant hand than the other. I wanted to get rightie over with in order to minimize future gimp-ness.
As I’ve blogged before, the carpal tunnel release was mostly a success, but after a few weeks I still noticed numbness in my pinkie and ring fingers on my right hand. The doctor let me know that in addition to the carpal tunnel entrapment I’d had, there was also some ulnar nerve irritation going on (awesome!) That could be easily “treated” by following the super-scientific methodology outlined in this post, but it’s unfortunately exacerbated by one of my favorite activities – cycling. However annoying it is, this issue I’m willing to live with.
In the past few weeks though, it seems my left hand has decided to let me know just how uncomfortable it is via painful, lengthy, wake-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night pain from numbness. Sometimes it’s so bad I have to lay there opening and closing my hand for 5 full minutes before the feeling returns from pins and needles. It feels like my wrist and middle finger are on fire, and I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to not be able to sleep through the night again. This one, I am not willing to live with. Sleep is important people! And not to mention I have enough crap waking me up in the middle of the night (CGM, having to pee if I’m running high, my own snoring…don’t tell anyone that last one…)
But, because I’d like to avoid surgery if at all possible, I’m trying everything else I can before I head back to the OR. This means being diligent about icing my wrist, wearing a super-sexy wrist brace to bed, and popping the ibuprofen after activities that could irritate it. I’ve been using an ergonomic keyboard and desk set-up for years now, but without changing professions, I can’t avoid heavy computer use and will have to look for other ways to assuage the symptoms.
By the way, the fact that I just wrote an entire post about carpal tunnel syndrome makes me feel like I am 90 years old. Bugger. If anyone out there has other suggestions about coping with the “carp,” holla back.
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Comments
I had the carpal tunnel release on my right hand last November and I regret having it done because I now have issues that weren’t there before. There is numbness and an underlying soreness that is present that becomes painful when I have to use my hand to push on that hand, etc. I am using the fist instead of the palm. I stopped the activities like bicycling and quilting for several months to make sure I was healed but now have resumed my activities. I also wear special gloves to help my hand during bicycling. I thought that I should have physical therapy but apparently, that’s not available.
I, too, feel 90 when I talk about my hand, and, again, I regret the surgery and would never recommend anyone having it done to them. I’m going to give the rubberband stretch a try because it’s more than my doctor recommended.
Barbara I am so sorry to hear about your surgery. We rely on our hands for just about everything, and to think that any of your favorite activities are hindered because of it is awful to hear. Everyone should be aware of the risks associated with surgery, and know that it cannot fix everything or every problem. I hope the rubberband therapy is helpful for you – let me know how it goes as I could use some help myself!
Two quick carp crap things that work for me: one is the Contour Design Rollermouse. Makes a HUGE difference, takes a few hours or so to get used to, but now after 6 years using it I can’t work more than a few hours tops with a mouse or rollerball before CPS sidelines me (trackpad is a bit easier – both pad and rollermouse keep your hands centered on the keyboard – the constant motion to the side for the mouse is the repetitive motion causing CTS). 2nd is an exercise I’ve started for my #2 tendinitis demon, trigger finger. Wad up your fingers and thumb, all fingertip pads together, and wrap a rubber band around them, then open your hand like a cat’s claw against the resistance, then straight fingers – repeat until the fingers are exhausted, around 30 seconds (add more rubber bands if it’s too easy). Strengthens and lengthens the extensors tendons, which run from the fingers to the elbow. Do it 3x a day.