Hello! I was happy to find this message board. Less than four months ago, at the age of 32, I went back to school full-time. Of course, this requires lots of quick note-taking and writing. About two weeks ago, my right (writing) hand began cramping up when I tried to write. This week, the pain has basically subsided, but now I have a numb, uncomfortable tingling sensation in my right hand...and not just when writing.

Could this be the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? My hands/wrists don't hurt when I type. (I've been using an ergonomic keyboard for about two years...big difference!) I tend to be a tight-gripping, heavy-handed writer, so I've been trying to find soft leads and dark pens to compensate. Also, I have an arsenal of Dr. Grip and PhD-type pens and pencils. Another thing that I’ve notice recently is that my hand falls asleep very easily...especially when using a thin pen/pencil, if I sleep on my right arm, or when mousing. (I'm now searching for a good ergonomic mouse…I’m open for suggestions.)

I've done some preliminary research online this week, and it sounds like the beginning of CTS. Considering the fact that I'm a student, and note-taking, writing and typing are a way of life for me, I cannot let afford this go any further. By the same token, I also don't want to be a hypochondriac! * Has anyone ever heard of CTS developing due to writing? Does anyone have any suggestions...things that have worked for them...about how to head this off at the path? Do splints/wrist wraps really work? If so, are they effective at this stage of the game? If so, what type should I get? (There are so many!) I'm going mouse shopping tomorrow. I’d appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thanks in advance for your advice!

I am a fulltime college student. I have to take quite a few notes in two of my classes but that doesn't seem to bother me too much.
I had carpal tunnel release down on both hands back in '99 and it seemed to cure the problem until last October.

I noticed its return after doing some computer work on the side for someone. Now my hands bother me alot again. I had gotten carpal tunnel as a result of bracing myself against my steering wheel in an auto accident 7/98. I must tell you that I also have fibromyalgia and fibro has a way of targetting an injured area. I went back to the doctor a month ago and have been diagnosed with recurrent CTS.

Yes, my thumb will go numb along with my pinky and when it gets really bad---my hands will ache and tingle.

Hope you don't have this.

TY

which fingers go numb? Is it your whole hand or just certin fingers. If your whole hand is going numb then it's probably not carpel tunnel. There are other sydrommes that can cause numbness. Write back with more detail if you can and i'll see if i can be of more help to you.
When does it bother you (at night etc)? what parts of your hands are affected? do you have any swelling in your hand or arm?

Mandy-

It's hard to really pinpoint an exact location. As I said, a few weeks ago, it started out with pain. For the past 1-2 week(s) it's been numbness. Today, there was numbness, but also some pain coming back. \

I guess I'd have to say that when I'm not using my hand, the numbness starts behind my knuckle area (but on both side of my hand) and radiates back. Today, that's changed a bit. I had an extremely heavy note-taking day...much worse than usual. At the end of that class, the numbness was much worse than normal, and radiated forward, into my fingers. Later in the day, when I tried to write again, I cramped up pretty badly. It seems okay right now...typing usually isn't a problem.

I noticed something over the weekend, too. When I bend my hand upward (hyper-extending my wrist) my hand goes numb, and shoots up my fingers. It happened the other day when I pushed open the door at the post office and at the store. It's an immediate "shot" of (not really painful, but uncomfortable) tingling/numbness. Oh - also, my hand tends to fall asleep quite easily lately.

That about sums it up. I bought a semi-rigid wrist (not hand) brace. (I won't be able to write with the hand brace on.) We'll see if that helps any. I may need to suck it up and go to a doctor. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Have a great day!

Since it's hard to say what exactly is wrong with your hand i'd say you should try and avoid writing all together, get a tape recorder and type them out when you get home, or photocopy someone elses. i would sugges a phsysiotherapist first, they tend to know more about repetative stress injury's than doctors and the treatments tend to be less evasive. With the knowledge that i have now (i'm still in school learning about all this stuff) i can't say whats wrong. There is definitly an impingment of a nerve but it's not carpet tunnel....you get numbness on hyperflexion of the wrists with that, not hyper extention. Make an appointment with a physiotherapist and try to cut down on all aggrevating factors.

Thank you for taking the timeto share all of this information with me. Incidentally, I notice this morning that it was difficult to wring out a sponge...the same thing happened...I guess that would be the hyperflexion you were describing. Oh well...I'm just going to have to monitor it, and see someone if it keeps up. Again, I appreciate your input!

I have "CTS" in both wrist, and it sounds to me that you have mentioned some of the telling signs of the disease. I also typed for 16+ yrs prior to ergonomic keyboards, and was accustom to use a tight grip on regular pen/pencils prior to the Dr.grips and PhD-types. I was heavy-handed also for excellent penmanship, and or different task.
I'm no "doctor" but, some of the signs that you have mentioned are some of the telling signs at the onset of CTS. You could also just be fatigued from note taking since you said that you were a student, and had a tight grip on things, and a heavy-handed student of note taking. Sounds to me that it's time for a checkup with your internal medicine doctor. If need be a refferal to a Ortho Specialist or even a Neuro Specialist through your Medical Provider; to start making a history of your symptoms {x-rays woundn't heart hurt} and diagnosis. Your idea of wearing wrist splits is good!. They do have wrist protection without restricting work; such as Ultralite wrist support which help keep wrist straight and provides light compression. Ideal for clerical,data entry and light industrial applications. It minimizes wrist bending in any direction,has a unique "Y" shaped spiral stays/D-ring elastic strap/simple left or right thumb strap holds support in place. ***It's "Slim," with a contoured design with hook-sensitive closure, easy to put on and wear all day. {One size fits all}. I used them in the begining and they were great, or you could use a "Smart Glove," downside it's more restricting. Also, remember since you're a writer/typist...you should take some brakes "Heavy-Handed/Gripper," [:-)] trying to do some "Tendon Glides, and or Nerve Glides," this will also help you get the flow going again if you start to have signs of numbness or tingling. I hope that you don't have CTS, and your just a overworked student. Good Luck
Regards,

[This message has been edited by Manofjazz (edited 05-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Manofjazz (edited 05-11-2001).]

Thanks, Manofjazz! If possible, could you recommend some good sites for purchasing these types of splints, such as the "Ultralite' you were describing? I picked up a generic one at WalMart, but it honestly doesn't seem to do much. Of course, I'm reluctant to buy something like this without trying it on. I'm difficult to fit...I have the wrist/arm size of a medium-large person, but the hand size of a 12-year-old! (Hmmm...maybe that's why my hand is taking the brunt of the distres http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif) Thanks again!

Originally posted by catndogma:
Thanks, Manofjazz! If possible, could you recommend some good sites for purchasing these types of splints, such as the "Ultralite' you were describing? I picked up a generic one at WalMart, but it honestly doesn't seem to do much. Of course, I'm reluctant to buy something like this without trying it on. I'm difficult to fit...I have the wrist/arm size of a medium-large person, but the hand size of a 12-year-old! (Hmmm...maybe that's why my hand is taking the brunt of the distres http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif) Thanks again!

Hi Catndogma,
My Rehab-Physical Therapist, had suggested them to me and the Dept. of Labor purchased them for me. For the Ultralite-The company is "AliMed inc. 77",toll free 1-800 225-26, general info (781) 329-2900, 24-hour fax 800-437-2966, http://www.alimed.com {cost $8.95 ea(3+), #R51244 Proflex 4020 {measure around wrist at smallest point. X-Small/Small, 5"-6"; Medium,6"-7";Large/X-Large, 7"-8". (You have to Specify size and Left or Right when ordering}. On the "Smart Glove," wrist support you can find them at "Savon Drug," for about $17.99. Hope this is some help for
you??? Good Luck!!!

Regards,


[This message has been edited by Manofjazz (edited 05-11-2001).]

I also have carpal tunnel in both hands and found a donation ware called mouse tool it asks for a donation of 20$ if you like it. It's www.mousetool.com (http://www.mousetool.com) what it does is allow you to not click,you rest pointer on where u would normally click it does it for you and it allows you to set the time before you want it to click when you first download it it is on 5 seconds which I found to be to fast at least till I get just to it, cleaned out a bunch of my email. hope this helps