Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!!

andy7jem · #1 04-02-2009, 04:01 PM

A thread i never wanted to write!!

Just wondered if anyone here has had it and could offer any advice or words of wisdom!! I did use the search function but it's no good, it returns threads like the photography thread and the presidential race!!

So, i have had the symptons for a while. Though the aches and twinges have not been too severe for the most part the frequent waking up with tingling fingers is very disturbing!!

I went to my doctors a few weeks back and he suggested first try anti inflammatory tablets, starting with 2 tabs three times a day, which eased it then drop to one three times a day when it became more prominent again. Once i'd finished the course it was the same as before!! I'm now looking at surgery and have an appointment with a specialist at my local hospital on the 2nd June to discuss it!!

Guitar is my sanity, and driving is a huge part of my job!! This will mean a fair bit of time off work which will cripple me financially, and long time without touching any guitar at all which will hurt mentally!!

Has anyone here had it and been fine after?? Or is there an alternative to having my wrist cut open??

I don't mind admitting.....i'm scared

I know it's not a major life threatening operation but this will have a big impact on what makes my life worth getting out of bed for! I have already hugely cut down on my playing and it's really frustrating

Will be greatful for any information guys and girls.

markg5150 · #2 04-02-2009, 04:08 PM

Sorry to hear that Andy. I haven't got any advice I'm afraid but I hope it clears up quickly

Canadian Mark · #3 04-02-2009, 04:14 PM

That sucks Andy! Sorry to hear that.

Have you looked into Active Release Therapy? It is a type of intensive massage of the tissues that can break down adhesions and nervous impingements caused by inflammations and scar tissues etc.

Check with your doctor to see if it will help.

btw, my friend is just about finished assembling his Dart. I will post pics for you soon.

OneShot · #4 04-02-2009, 04:18 PM

I have been cramping in my thumb when playing recently. I had stopped playing regularly for a few years and then picked it back up. Aside from having to rebuild the calluses on my finger tips, i began to notice my thumb cramping up and hurting to the point where I would have to reposition my thumb higher up on the rear of the neck, and it wouldn't feel as comfortable as my prior positioning, but it did relieve the pain or straining..(even though to accomplish that my thumb was all but hanging over the top of the FB in the new comfortable position)

So wondering If I had carpel tunnel and what it was exactly I found and saved these two links. I don't think they describe what I am experiencing, but maybe the can help you.

http://cw11.empowereddoctor.com/unde...unnel-syndrome

http://www.eorthopod.com/public/pati...l_release.html

EvoGiant · #5 04-02-2009, 04:21 PM

i had that in my left hand. my doctor told me to get one of those wrist braces and sleep with that on at night for two weeks. cleared it right up. no pills, no surgery, nothing. on my left hand, my thumb, and first two fingers would tingle and then go totally numb. couldnt open em, or anything. happened while driving too. after a couple of weeks with the brace, it went away.

one of these...

http://www.firstaidmonster.com/image...K_LGE-9016.jpg

good luck with it. is scary

shogun · #6 04-02-2009, 04:29 PM

ive had tendonitis.. stretching is the key for prevention. massage therapy helped get rid of scar tissue.. i've been doing BJJ for a year and a half now and havent had a problem since.. build muscle around an injured area and you will help prevent damage

Jaden · #7 04-02-2009, 04:36 PM

Ive had it in my thumb and elbows mate, the only thing I found that works is:
1. dont play (painful BUT NECESSARY)
2. I strapped my thumb up so that I couldnt articulate the joint at all, I did it for 10 days only taking it off to bath.

you mentioned that you dive a lot, I had a problem because of holding the steering wheel casually with my right hand, you know what brit motorways are like, you are always applying a little pressure to the wheel to keep straight but that little pressure after 20 hours of driving every week mounts up mate, I started to adopt the driving school method of quarter to three and it helped !

that helped loads for me.

best of luck mate.

**jim777** · #8 04-02-2009, 04:56 PM

I actually just went to the doctor's this morning thinking I was developing CT, but I was told it was arthritis in my wrist. I think I'd rather the CT, as that can be reversed, but I don't know.

andy7jem · #9 04-02-2009, 06:08 PM

Thanks for all the reassurance and advice guys, i'll try everything to avoid surgery!!

Jaden, unfortunately it's my gear change hand so really unavoidable. I've tried altering the way i change gear and everything. The funny thing is i get the most twinges when changing gear. Guitar doesn't cause any pain while doing it but i was getting a lot of soreness after a good session.

Timbaline · #10 04-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Have you ever tried the newgrip.com wrist strap? I don't know how well it works for CT, but a family friend(who has tendonitis), said they really help with his tendonitis.

LonePhantom · #11 04-02-2009, 08:15 PM

Mate I feel for you! I've had CTS for almost 4 years now, caused by my work.

Surgery isn't exactly necessary, plus surgery isn't always successful, and can sometimes only temporarily get rid of it.

If you want to chat about what you can do about recovering to a point where it doesn't usually bother you just send me a PM or what ever. I can provide you with the stuff that I know.

markg5150 · #12 04-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Any chance you can get an automatic transmission car if that's what is causing the pain?

andy7jem · #13 04-03-2009, 09:16 AM

It's a van mate unfortunately. I work in street lighting and my works van is what people refer to as a "cherry picker". The clutch is necessary for the operation of the platform so can't be an automatic!!

I'd change my career to porn star quite happily but there isn't much call for dudes with beer bellies in that line of work!!

shredmaster · #14 04-03-2009, 10:27 AM

sorry to hear that man, but, it may be something you can prevent. i had the similar and i used the wrist braces with the metal support in them. you can get them at any pharmacy, walmart, whatever. i kept it still for a week or 2 and then no issues. at times my fingers get stiff, but that's something else...and i hate it...minor arthritis possibly. my fingers don't feel "loose" like they used to, but rather, kind of rusted up and feel swollen especially in warmer weather.

Armann · #15 04-03-2009, 11:57 AM

I got it while I was at GIT.
Number one stop playing, I got a wrist band that kept my wrist hot.
I didn't do anything with my left hand, when I drove I used my right hand, yeah that's right.

After about two months, no playing and resting it went away.

After it has healed you need to know why it happened.
When you practise, sit in a proper posture, don't hang yourself over the guitar, your back should be straight, play for about five minutes then rest one, let your hand hang by your side and feel the blood going back into your fingers and your hand. Start slowly, don't start your day by playing Technical Difficulties even though it's fun

My hand is a lot better now but I really need to listen to what my body is saying to me.
Don't practise sitting in front of the tv