It’s back again: the “pins & needles” sensation of carpel tunnel. Basically, it’s a pinched nerve in my wrist. I had encountered this problem in 2000 in both wrists. My internist sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed my Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and treated it with wrist supports and a shot of cortisone in each wrist. So, after a decade, it was deja vu all over again: back to the neurologist and another cortisone shot. I’m back wearing a wrist support for my left hand. So far my right wrist is okay. If you experience that annoying tingling sensation in your fingers and your thumb, you’ll probably need wrist support and maybe a cortisone shot. Don’t ignore the symptoms! They only get worse without treatment: you’ll feel like you stuck your finger in a light socket!
ouch!
Bummer – my father had surgery for this a few years ago.
Stay away from those pesky student e-mails.
I’m hoping the wrist support and the cortisone shot fixes the problem, Jeff. If not, I’ll be looking at a surgical solution like your father did.
Sorry to hear this George because I know you are on a computer a lot. Take care.
Carpel tunnel is caused by repetitive movements, Patti. You’re right: the prime suspect is all the keyboarding I do each day. But driving a lot can do it, too. Long haul truckers and soccer Moms have high rates of carpel tunnel syndrome, too.
I hope shots and splints will get you through, George. In addition to repetitive movement, carpel tunnel can also be caused by swelling. I always got it when I was pregnant (and swollen). Although I do spend a lot of time typing, I find my occasional non-pregnancy flare-up can be treated by wearing wrist splints for a few days. My sister was not as fortunate as I was–her pregnancy carpel tunnel never went away and she finally had to have the surgery. Incisions are made in the palm and in the wrist–I don’t think the surgery is very invasive, but you’d probably be in splints (and out-of-commission typing-wise) for a while.
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome seems to be an occupational hazard in our line of work, Deb. Plenty of my colleagues have had the surgery when the other treatment methods failed. I’m hopeful the wrist support and the cortisone shots will solve the problem.
George,
I had carpal tunnel so bad about ten or twelve years ago that I could barely type or drive. This thing (http://www.stopcts.com/ctexerciser_order.htm) got rid of it and it’s never come back. In the spirit of full disclosure, my former sister-in-law, who’s an occupational therapist, invented it, but I have no stake in it and wouldn’t tell you it worked for me unless it was true. If you want to email me, I can tell you more about it. (Man, I sound like a huckster, don’t I, and that’s not my intention.)
Thanks for the recommendation of the CTExerciser, James! If the wrist support and cortisone shots don’t work, I’ll certainly buy one (I’ll do anything to avoid surgery). Glad you had such good results with it!
I don’t have carpal tunnel – just arthritis.
When it gets bad, a shot of cortisone at the base of the thumb for each hand works wonders.
It’s been almost 3 years since my last “fix.”
Take it easy and stay away from the video games.
I’m cutting back on all of my typing, Beth. And, although Patrick installed STARCRAFT 2, I’m going to wait awhile until the carpel tunnel problem gets resolved. What would we do without cortisone?
Sorry to hear this, George! My father also had carpal tunnel surgery, on both arms! Came from years of writing up on the blackboard as a math professor. He uses both hands to do it, too — he’s naturally left-handed, but like many children decades ago, he was forced to learn to write right-handed. So he likes to switch hands while writing equations. Helps to see which kids are truly awake.
Thanks for the good wishes, BV. Yes, writing on the blackboard (or white board in some classrooms) may have contributed to my carpel tunnel problems. The wrist support and the cortisone shot seem to be working. I may need a second shot of cortisone next week to completely banish the “pins-and-needles” sensation.