Hi, My name is Vicki and I just developed carpal tunnel a month ago. I am a computer graphics artist but that's not what gave me carpal tunnel. I've been using the computer for years now and I never had a problem. A few months ago, I took a job with a local supermarket as a cake decorator. I thought it would be a great outlet for my creativity. At first my right wrist started to hurt, I thought I just sprained it squeezing the icing out of the icing bag. But, then my fingers started to tingle and feel weird. So, I went to the doctor and was told I have carpal tunnel. I quit my job right away because I didn't want to make it worse. I'm not working right now and I can only stay on the computer for 20 minutes at a time before my wrist starts hurting and my fingers start tingling. I want to get another job but I'm not sure what I can do now?? I have my Bachlors of fine arts and my associates degree in grahic design. I can't think of anything creative to do without using my hands. If anyone has any ideas, I could really use the help.

Thanks!!

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Vicki

I'm sorry about your CTS! I had it too, but only in my left hand. I spent months using conventional therapy (anti-inflamatories, PT, braces). Nothing was helping. I didn't have the typical symptoms of CTS. I had numbness, and my fingers felt fat (except for my pinky). Being right-handed, it was strange that it struck my left hand! Nonetheless, I had the surgery. I have larger wrists, so I was a good candidate for the scope. It is less invasive than the conventional surgery. I was back to work in two weeks and was working on a computer again. It's been about 4 months and the only thing is that the skin above the area where they worked is extremely sensitive. It doesn't hurt, it is just strange feeling. This is normal. I am very happy with the outcome of the surgery.

Bigmike,

I'm afraid to get the surgery. I've been going to physical therapy but my therapist keeps telling me that the ultrasound, deep tissue massage etc. doesn't work. I thought I would give it a shot anyway. My right wrist is feeling better but then I forget about the carpal tunnel and do housecleaning or something stupid and it starts hurting all over again. I don't think I have it bad enough to go have surgery but if I don't have the surgery will this ever go away??

I'm starting to get very frustrated, I want to go back to work but I'm afraid of hurting my wrists and making it worse. I hate sitting home and doing nothing. I feel so unproductive. Ugh!!!

Please tell me this will eventually go away. thanks!!

Anything is possible. It was kind of a bummer, I went to an endocrinologist about a month after the surgery for another of many health issues. He told me I should wait out the CTS surgery because it will heal on it's own if you give it time. You can't do all the things that aggravate it! Unfortunately, I may have had the surgery too quickly and didn't give it a chance to heal. I just get scared because I had always heard that if you wait too long, you can get irreversible nerve damage. I like the use of my hands, it was a bummer because I couldn't tell that I had something in my hand sometimes. I work on machines and cars and if you cant see what you are working on, you need to be able to feel what you are doing. There are other forms of therapy out there, check into all your options.

If I can answer any of your questions, just let me know!

BigMike

You may want to try Active Release Therapy. It's a type of "myofascia massage" that works wonders for carpal tunnel. Mine was fixed within a few sessions. Check your local chiropractors for one who does this technique. For more information on it Search Dr. Leahy, Active Release Therapy. Good luck.
JB