I was just wondering if using the hand will make it worse or stay the same. I used my hand today and felt weird sensations, like a spring was sprung. (I hope that makes sense). My thumb, wrist and elbow had this sharp pain in it and then the numbness got worse. I wear my brace but it doesn't help much. My hand still falls asleep and I get pain up into my shoulder too sometimes. I am scheduled for surgery in DEC. Any tips or thoughts?

[This message has been edited by Raven (edited 11-08-2000).]

Unfortunately I cannot answer your questions. I am responding for a selfish reason. My wife is currently experiencing the same type of symptoms and is undergoing a number of tests. could you please advise how your surgery went and if you have any loss of use or disability.
Thank You

Hi,
I actually haven't had the surgery yet(scheduled Dec 18th, 2000) but I have went through all of the tests. Some say they are painful but I would say that they aren't too bad. Mainly tell her to relax. It is kinda like being shocked in a sense and then not having control over your impluse/jerking. It is uncomfortable but quick! I have had DeCuervein surgery(DeCuervein synotendovitis(sp)) Where they cut the tendon shealth to release the tendon and it was the best thing I ever did. The pain I suffered before the surgery was terrible, I could deal with the pain after surgery. I will have to have a similar surgery on the same hand soon due to a injury but it didn't just reoccur! Please be kind to your wife during this time. I have no help or support from my husband and kids and it really hurts. Tell your wife, Good Luck! Raven

I had the surgery on both of my hands and had immediate relief from the numbness/falling asleep and burning sensations. It will take a full year to heal and 6 weeks before you can really do anything again (no matter what the doctor may tell you)...Good luck!

Carol

After 15 years of doing data entry, and years of numbness and pain in my hands, a bout with DeQuirvains in my left thumb and the discovery of a misaligned vertabra in my neck, I was tested for Carpal Tunnel. The test came back negative. Because of the test, they're telling me I don't have it. One doctor said the numbness was due to muscles in my neck pushing on the nerve and he wanted to cut them. I can still type, but my right hand goes numb. How can I convince work and doctors that this is real?

Wow, I also had de Quervein in my left thumb/wrist but I had to have surgery to get relief. That was the best surgery I ever had, it worked wonders. Now I am due to have surgery on my right hand for Carpel Tunnel on my right hand, on Dec 18th. and they think I may need another surgery on my left hand due to an injury to my tendon. They are saying de Quervein but actually its not it. I also have problems with my neck which causes problems but the stiffness. numbness and pain is more in my neck due to bone spurs on my neck/spine. Surgery on your neck is far more serious than on your hand but problems can happen with hand surgery as well. If I were you I would have more tests. It is possible that your numbness is caused by your neck problem. Are you seeing the right kind of Doctor? I would go to a Ortho and a Neuro. I have heard others state that their test for CTS were neg but they had it. Good Luck. Raven

Fortunately I'm not as gullible as the docs would like their patients to be. I told the referring doc that I would not consider neck surgery and I not only changed docs, but went to see a chiro. It helped some when he cracked my neck and back into place, and I should be on maintanence visits now, but when we have a heavy order day at work, my hands hurt more. I'm trying to get out of that particular job in order to give my hands a break. I also do needlework and play guitar, and the carpal tunnel interferres with both of those hobbies. One manager said I should stop doing those hobbies and save my hands for work. Can you believe it?