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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:00
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 14:14:27
The EMG is nerve conduction? I had one scheduled for my feet, but solved my problem by ditching my beloved Reebok hitops in favor of keds. I can no longer wear ankle constricting shoes, I guess.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:00
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by Tamar on March 30, 2005, at 16:10:15
No tingling or numbness. Just a clumsiness and weakness. It seems to last the exact same period each time, give or take a minute or two. About twenty minutes. I have trouble gripping a pencil, and if I do grip it, I have trouble forming letters. And not just that fine motor control either. I tried to do something requiring not nearly as much dexterity and couldn't do it. And just the right hand, and maybe the lower right arm.
I guess carpal tunnel is still the best guess. But it's weird that it happened when I laughed. Right when I laughed. And that the duration is so steady. Twenty minutes give or take a minute or two. And that there's no pain.
I'm just being a hypochondriac, I'm sure. The first one was a month or so ago, I guess, and I'm still alive and well.
Posted by pinkeye on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » pinkeye, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 17:09:54
Nerve Conduction can be done for hands also to determine if it is carpal tunnel. Maybe you should get that done.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 17:21:23
I suppose when I see my doctor on the nineteenth she'll schedule something along those lines.
Sigh. Daddy was right. Turn forty and you fall apart.
Posted by pinkeye on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » pinkeye, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 17:26:31
You could ask to have a referral so you could do this sooner if you are concerned about it. Why wait till the 19 th to get a referral and then wait a week or two to schedule one?
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 17:32:35
I might. But... will I quit worrying? Even if I do have carpal tunnel, that might not convince me that these spells are part of it.
Sigh. I can be a real hypochondriac.
Posted by pinkeye on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel?, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 17:34:33
Once they rule out other things in nerve conduction, atleast you can be assured it has nothing to do with your nervous system. Taht will relieve a major worry for you isn't it?
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 17:43:40
I think my fear is that the problem is on the sending end, not the receiving end. The first time it happened, I had the very calm thought "Oh great, I'm having a stroke.", and wondering whether I should bother my husband with it. :)
So I guess I'm afraid it's in my brain, not my hand. Ok, I know I'm being silly now.
Posted by pinkeye on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » pinkeye, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 18:05:02
Maybe you are mistaken about EMG/Nerve Conduction? I would guess that it checks both the sending and the receiving.
I don't know for sure, but I think it should check both. Besides if there is a problem in the brain and you think it is possibly a stroke, talk it out with your Dr and see if you can schedule something like an MRI or brain scan? I don't know enough about all these, but if you are constantly afraid, and if your Dr thinks it is worthwhile, you could be tested for it you know?
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 0:11:01
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 18:12:11
I daresay by tomorrow I'll have forgotten all about it till the next time it happens. :)
Posted by gardenergirl on March 31, 2005, at 9:27:17
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel?, posted by Dinah on March 30, 2005, at 19:19:19
Dinah,
You might try this: press the backs of your hands together, kind of like a reverse prayer position with your elbows sticking out to the sides, and hold that for up to 60 seconds. If you get tingling, numbness, or pain (stop). That is another indicator. Time this, and note what time the symptoms occur. The faster they occur, the more likely you are to have carpal tunnel, and the more severe. I've done this with really severe folks who can barely stand to even touch the backs of their hands together.
Another test is to take a pencil with a good full eraser end, and tap the eraser on the wrist area near the center of the inside of your wrist. Tap firmly and quickly. dot dot dot dot dot. More like a poke, but not so it hurts. You want to do this in the area about a half inch to an inch diameter in the center from the wrist crease on the inside. (Can you picture that?)
Anyway, if you get numbness or tingling, it's likely you might have carpal tunnel. That is the area that the median nerve, implicated in carpal tunnel and the finger tendons all pass through the narrow opening called, guess what, the carpal tunnel.
This area is small, and often more so in women. The brace helps because it keeps your wrist in a position that keeps the opening as wide as possible. When I used to work with folks with this, I would give them the standard wrist brace, but I would step on it first, to put it in a more neutral position, versus the wrist slightly cocked back position. There is more room in the carpal tunnel, actually, with your wrist in neutral, or straight, then with it bent slightly back. You're right, it is a bit hard to type and work with, and it's even harder in neutral. But it's better for the median nerve.
Also, I forget which B vitamin is good for nerve growth, either B6 or B12, but often the ortho docs would put patients on this as well. I think it would help reduce the inflammation. Perhaps Lar would know. (actually, there's probably no "perhaps" about it, I'm sure he knows.)
And ibuprofen or other anti inflammatory meds can help, although with all the hoopla that came out since Vioxx and heart attacks or strokes, you want to be cautious.
Good luck.
gg
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 9:27:18
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by gardenergirl on March 31, 2005, at 0:12:13
Thanks gg, for all the good info!
About 15 seconds till it felt tingly, so probably not too bad. I woke up with my hand feeling weak though, despite the brace, so maybe I need to look into the anti-inflammatories right away. Can't afford to rest the darn hand, with being so behind in work. :(
So lots of ibuprofin till my next Dr. appt on the 19th. And I'll look into the B- whatever.
God doesn't want me to keep my job, I think. :)
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 31, 2005, at 10:44:40
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » gardenergirl, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 9:25:15
> Thanks gg, for all the good info!
>
> About 15 seconds till it felt tingly, so probably not too bad. I woke up with my hand feeling weak though, despite the brace, so maybe I need to look into the anti-inflammatories right away. Can't afford to rest the darn hand, with being so behind in work. :(
>
> So lots of ibuprofin till my next Dr. appt on the 19th. And I'll look into the B- whatever.
>
> God doesn't want me to keep my job, I think. :)
That's vitamin B6. But don't just use B6. Always use a B-complex, then add in some B6 on top of that.Ibuprofen is a good idea. Inflammation creates a vicious circle of inflammation within the carpal tunnel itself. It is actually your body's response to irritation of the nerve which is causing all the symptoms, not the irritation itself.
There is a fairly strong correlation between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel problems, which may reflect your family history of this disorder. Or, it could mean God just gave y'all smaller carpal tunnels to work with.
When you get the numbness, focus on the little finger. Is it affected, too? It actually is connected to a nerve that is separate from the carpal tunnel. If it is affected, it might be a more general peripheral neuropathy. An EMG study will sort that all out. It's a weird experience, but it gives them hard data about the ability of the nerves to do their job. Comparisons above and below the carpal (wrist) bones tell them whether the problem is associated with that structure, or not.
I thought I saw you mention somewhere that you also get forearm symptoms? They could not be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, except via referral. Anyway, the EMG people will sort that all out. You get a thorough exam, and nothing should be overlooked.
Best,
Lar
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 10:55:20
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by Larry Hoover on March 31, 2005, at 10:44:40
Hmmm. I'm really hoping it's just the carpal tunnel thing. My mom was diabetic for thirty someodd years before she started having troubles with peripheral neuropathy. My father started getting it within a year. I always figured that's because his diabetes was caused by acute pancreatitis caused by years of drinking. It wasn't pretty. He was pretty much immobilized right away.
I'll go get the B vitamins today and have already started the ibuprofin. It's really interfering with my work, and I can't afford that right now.
When I made my doctor's appointment, the nurse said they'd probably do a complete nerve conduction test, probably because of my diabetes and the fact that I ducked the one for my feet she figured she could say that with all confidence. :)
I've got my fingers crossed. My left fingers at least. lol.
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2005, at 11:04:52
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm a bit scared » Dinah, posted by partlycloudy on March 30, 2005, at 15:02:15
I have carpul tunnel midly in my left wirst, badly in right and also have somethiing similar on another nerve in my elbow (the nerve that is your funny bone)..
Its so wierd that sometimes the symptoms hit at any random time.. I can have done something that doesn't seem to have any relation, and suddenly I can't control part of my hand! Hell, even an orgasm has triggered it before *L*
I've had surgery on my elbow, which helped great for about 18 months, but has returned worse than ever recently.. I'm going to see if a cortisone injection will help - I get that next Tuesday.. My wirst doesn't cause as much pain as the elbow, and I can live with the lack of control and numbness at times!
I'll let you know if the cortisone helps
Nikki xx
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 14:03:59
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm a bit scared, posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2005, at 11:04:52
Thanks Nikki. That's reassuring. The scary part was the suddenness. Knowing that it can be sudden like that helps a lot. (Laughter, orgasm, I'll have to keep a list)
I really just want to go and have the blasted surgery. I figure with my family history and my job that puts extraordinary strain on my right hand at the best of times, I'm doomed. I guess I'm lucky. The majority of people at my office have had back problems. Who said office jobs had a low risk of injury! This seems mild in comparison. I should put in for workers comp. lol.
I have a nerve conduction test scheduled for the sixth so the doctor can have the results for my appt on the nineteenth. I'll bet they sneak my feet in there too. :) And perhaps rightfully so. It maybe isn't good that I can't wear hightops.
Boy, we've shared a lot of common ailments. Have your ears cleared up? Mine are doing fine.
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2005, at 14:38:03
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm a bit scared » NikkiT2, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 14:03:59
hey,
I've gone and read the entire thread now, and you mentioned that your little finger and ring finger also go "wierd".. Carpul Tunnel only affects the other fingers.. Your symptoms describe mine completely, so get them to check your elbow out.. Ask about "Cubital Tunnel Syndrome" which is a compression of the ulnar nerve in the elbow, and can be caused my excessive use of right arm as it increases the size of the tendons which causes the compression.. Thats my main problem.. Mine has only got worse again as I fell down the last few stairs of the bus and smashed my eblow, and they tink I've knocked the nerve back to its bad place..
As for my ears.. they're not 100%, but so SO much better since I started putting two drops of warmed olive oil in my ear every other night, and using an ear candle once a month!
Who'd have thought it would have such a simple solution!!!The nerve tests are fun by the way.. they send pulses up and down your arm to make it twitch and your fingers twitch!! Always makes me laugh something stupid *L*
Nikki xx
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2005, at 16:52:09
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm a bit scared » Dinah, posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2005, at 14:38:03
It feels like my pinky is involved. It's hard to pinpoint those things, for me anyway.
Now I have something to look forward to! The test sounds fun. I hope they do my feet while they're at it.
Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 10:37:47
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm a bit scared » Dinah, posted by NikkiT2 on March 31, 2005, at 14:38:03
I nearly forgot. I'm sorry to hear of your fall in the bus. I hope things settle down without surgery. Let me know how it goes?
I'll let you know after the nineteenth what my study results were.
Posted by Dinah on April 6, 2005, at 19:38:50
In reply to Re: Nikki » NikkiT2, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2005, at 10:37:47
Because if the choice is thinking there's something wrong with my hand that it doesn't get or can't carry out my brain's signals or thinking there's something wrong with my brain sending the signals, I'm going to choose the hand.
So my assumption will be that from time to time a nerve gets compressed and my hand goes weak.
And not that from time to time my brain goes screwy and doesn't give signals very specifically to my right hand.
Seems like a reasonable assumption.
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 10, 2005, at 4:53:04
In reply to Not carpal tunnel. Still going to assume nerves., posted by Dinah on April 6, 2005, at 19:38:50
Did they test your elbow??
I went through *years* of them saying "hmmm, no real carpul tunnel" yet I was still hvaing all the same problems and pain.. until someone (the tech tat did the nerve conduction studies) decided to test my elbow.. and viola, there was the problem!
Had the cortisone injection on Tuesday evening btw.. Hardly hurt at all, and they injected a local aneasthetic with it so it didn't hurt that evening at all.. Had to keep it in a sling and not use at all for 2 days.. unfortunately there has been a little bleeding in the area which has caused some problems, but I've been told that will clear up pretty soon..
So, no improvement yet, but I need to give it some time!
The problem could also be in your shoulder.. That can cause the same problems too.. When they tested my shoulder they discovered that some of my problems were being caused there as my nerves were shortened.. physio really helped with that, and I do some little exercises and massage (do it myself) a few times a week..
Nikki
Posted by Dinah on April 16, 2005, at 19:16:03
In reply to Re: Not carpal tunnel. Still going to assume nerve » Dinah, posted by NikkiT2 on April 10, 2005, at 4:53:04
Any improvement yet? I do hope so.
I'm sorry I haven't checked this board in a while. :( But I've checked the followup box this time. When I get busy I usually just read Psychological.
It's been happening more frequently lately. I've also been under a lot more stress and working a lot more. But I've noticed a real tie-in to laughing, waking up, and yesterday yawning. I'm getting used to it though and don't worry about it anymore.
The doctor's nurse called with the official negative results and offered a battery of nerve conduction tests. But I refused. If there's nothing threatening my health or long term functioning, I'm not going to bother about it.
The thing is that it really doesn't hurt. My feet have more numbess and tingling. It's just the weakness that lasts five to ten minutes usually, I guess. I ought to time it more officially and keep the results in a log.
The nerve conduction lady seemed to think I was imagining it. Maybe I am. She tested below my elbow, but not above, I don't think.
Posted by chili on April 25, 2005, at 16:01:02
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel? » Dinah, posted by pinkeye on March 30, 2005, at 13:20:08
> It doesn't seem a bad thing to have - atleast not too bad. A simple surgery will relieve the pressure on the wrist.
>
> Ask your GP to direct you to a neurologist? And have that EMG stuff done?I have Hypothyroidism, and all the reading I've done carpal tunnel seems to in part be a part of it, my wrist hurt, but that not at the point where i cant type or move the mouse yet, although i do have trouble withe holding or tearing packing open or putting on bracelets and writing withe pen or pencil.
Posted by tom_traubert on April 29, 2005, at 10:29:07
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel?, posted by chili on April 25, 2005, at 16:01:02
Hi.
I've had repetetive stress injury /chronic pain in both hands and my right shoulder for years. I went to every type of practitioner you can think of. They couldn't figure it out, yet they still wanted to operate. Not me. I knew that somewhere the problem lay in my posture; specifically how my head and shoulders are aligned. There is an area of the body, on both sides of the neck where it attaches to the shoulder and chest called the Thoracic Outlet. This is where nerves and such travel from the spine to the arms. Compression in this area causes lots of problems, like stepping on a hose prevents water from flowing. This site has a lot of info
or just google "thoracic outlet". Check this out too "The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Helpbook". There is a series of nerve sliding techniques that really work. My biggest piece of advice to you is to stop using a mouse immediately. They're killers, really. Opt instead for an external touchpad mouse (like the ones on laptops where you just touch your finger down to click).
So etc. etc. etc. I thought eventually it was all in my head since no doctor could help until I saw an amazing physical therapist. Right off the bat, he saw that so many aspects of my body were out of alignment and that certain muscel groups were so weak that I couldn't possibly give myself the proper support to ensure good posture. So we worked on strengthening and being more aware of posture and it's really been working. No medication, no surgery.
Hope this helped.
tt
Posted by Dinah on April 29, 2005, at 13:37:33
In reply to Re: Does anyone know anything about carpal tunnel?, posted by tom_traubert on April 29, 2005, at 10:29:07
Hmmm... You may have something there. I have a natural head tilt so pronounced that it sometimes causes soreness when I get anxious. I hadn't thought of it compressing nerves or throwing me out of alignment, but that is the same side of my body.
This is the end of the thread.
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