Hello all. Sorry if this ends up a little long, but I am here because I think I may have carpal tunnel.

I am 23 years old, and I work as a script typist, so I am using my hands much of my work day.

I began typing when I was 12 years old, and it was just something that I took to right away, and loved.

I noticed in high school though, I started having problems with my hands hurting all the time, and having numbness and tingling that would come and go (though not severe enough to interfere with everyday living). My mother always said that maybe I had carpal tunnel syndrome, but we never had it checked out when I was younger.

Over the last year, I have noticed an increase in the numbness, tingling, and pain in my fingers, especially in my right hand. (I am right handed.)

I would say that just over the last 2 months, the pain, numbness and tingling have gotten much worse. I have not had a good nights sleep in quite some time due to the fact that I am waking up 4 + times per night from my hand going numb, and having to try and shake the numbness & tingling away.

I have also noticed that I have lost my grip on everyday items and I frequently drop things. Driving has become a pain, because just gripping the steering wheel causes numbness and tingling. While at work, just using the mouse for my computer causes the numbness and tingling.

I have also noticed quite a bit of discomfort if my wrists are touched, or lightly squeezed. Over the last few months, I noticed that I have been telling my fiance' not to touch my hands.

I'm not 100% sure what carpal tunnel is, and to be honest, I feel kinda silly going to the doctor for something like this.

A family member who recently had similar problems as I am having, said that her doctor said she had tendonitis. She thinks that I should simply exercise my hand more frequently, and stretch my fingers...etc.

I have been taking breaks in between work, and stretching my fingers and wrist, but that hasn't helped.

If I decide to see someone about this problem, what type of doctor should I see? Is there a specialist that I should go to?

The numbness and tingling is hard for me to deal with, especially with the type of work that I do.

Any thoughts?
Thanks for taking the time to read & respond!
It is appreciated!

- Kari :)

Go to the doctor. Give him your symptoms. He'll send you to get an EMG which will tell you if it's Carpal Tunnel.

If it is, the sooner you find out the better.

And if you sleep with your hands curled up--try to not do that-I had to kind of teach myself to sleep with my hands flat. I had both carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve problems in both arms. I had the ulnar nerves fixed-as they were the painful ones for me. The carpal tunnel in my right arm (my dominant one also) went away. Not sure why..but I think sleeping that way helps a lot.

curiousforever - thanks so much for your reply :)

Do you know what kind of a doctor that I should see for carpal tunnel?

Thanks!
- Kari :)

I had to see my regular doc first then get a referral to a doc to do the EMG...depends on your insurance I guess.

Great - thanks! :)

hi i have carpol tunnel syndrome i wear a wrist brace and have steroid injections at least once a year does help by my own g.p in uk its my right hand,i had physio but didnt help.

Ya..Wearing a Wrist Brace at Night while you sleep can Really help. just by doing that it can go away.