Re: recovery after surgery... - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

joshsmommi · 06-22-2003, 08:26 PM

Hi all! I have my surgery schedualed for July 17 on my right wrist. My problems started 5 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. My question is for those of you that have had surgery, about how long after were you able to write, and then write comfortably? Thanks for any replies!

Edited to say that I do bookkeeping, we do everything by long hand, (I actually will type something at times to get the feeling back in my hand) Just curious when I would be able to work again.

[This message has been edited by joshsmommi (edited 06-22-2003).]

chelespiglets · 06-23-2003, 07:25 AM

Hi

I wrote you on the other message.
I hope that your surgery goes well.
I just had surgery for cubital tunnel of the elbow on tuesday. I am still in a 3/4 cast and get it removed on thursday.

Sorry I cant answer your questions. Hopefully someone will be able to help you and let you know.
Again good luck
bye Chele

------------------
Good Bless our Troops

FinallyFused · 06-24-2003, 02:39 PM

Hi There,
It depends on who you ask, as to the answers you will/may get.
My experience wasnt really that good.
I even made sure I had a "hand expert" surgeon.
He is top notch, and I guess the care I received was good,I think it is just a risky surgery, that doesnt fix as many people as it doesnt fix.
Not the doctors fault...I guess.
I was even told it had a "very high success rate"

Anyway I had the surgery, on my left hand, a year and a couple months ago.
I still have carpal tunnel in my left hand, while it isnt anywhere as bad as it was,it was still going numb and tingling!.... ALOT!
Also somthing I have NOW that I didnt before surgery is these BIZARRE shock like sensations that go up my hand and arm, if I do somthing like tap my husband, on his leg.
HORRIBLE feelings! Thankfully they have diminished to a rarity!AND I now have this strange feeling like I hit my funny bone, even when I didnt, and it lasts for hours/days, and it reaaly sucks!I am having this right now. :~(((

I was told before, I have bilateral carpal tunnel.
My predominant hand is my right hand , and I am SO greatful that I had my left hand done first as I would never want my predominant everyday everyfunction hand to feel this way!
I WILL NOT HAVE THIS SURGERY TO MY RIGHT HAND UNLESS MY DOCTOR SAYS I AM GONNA DAMAGE MY NERVES.....

BUT I do have a tiny bit of good news for you, you can probably make your symptoms disappear or get about 50-75% better simply by getting on a REAL good vitamin plan(preferrably liquid as they absorb better!)
What you really need are the b vitamins BIGTIME, but better to have all vitamins ...right.
Lacking in b vitamins causes numb extremeties.
I have been doing this for a few months and can notice a drastic improvment!
You have a few weeks, and I say that is enough time to know if this may help you, and I bet it will,WHAT HAVE YA GOT TO LOSE?
See what you can get,tomorrow or the next day,as far as vitamins go and look for results.
Liquid vitamins are GREAT!! they absorb in seconds, and there are a couple good brands out there, do homework and you will be happier.
They are now saying that we only absorb around 10% of pill form vitamins,...
Anyway good luck,
I really hope in a few weeks you will put up a topic in this board saying no surgery your carpal is gone...
please do so,I will be looking for it. :~)
OH YEAH to answer your question, it will take you probably a few months to even want to keep your fingers bent for long periods,you can probably write well,after a week or two, but it may hurt like heck,
As far as putting weight on it or being able to count on that hand to hold you up or help you along, this will take the longest.
I have just finally gotten to where,I can stand putting any weight on it...I did baby it alot though,
I couldnt stand the icky way it felt to touch the spot surgerized,cant explain any better than that.
One last thing, oddly after surgery,
I really didnt need any pain meds, after first day.
It was after I started trying to use it again that it,really was bad, BUT nothing was EVER excruciating, and if youve had a baby,(which you mentioned)
you WILL be fine!! Either way.
I truly hope this helps!
FinallyFused

joshsmommi · 06-24-2003, 04:40 PM

Thanks for your reply, I will look into the vitamins, couldn't hurt. I am nervous for the surgery, but I can't stand the numbness and tingling any more. I tell ya, feeding the baby wigh a numb hand + a slippery spoon, and you should see how many times i drop it! LOL

NancyH · 06-25-2003, 10:30 PM

Everyone is different. I had mine on May 5th it was cts and ulnar decompression at the wrist. IT turned into a 3.5 hr surgery do to scar tissue. He had to rasposition my ulnar nerve. I took two pain pills the first day and didn't again til I started hand therapy. It was nerver excruciating but the zapping I still get is very yucky. I still get the funny bone sensation in the palm and wrist so I have to be careful of doing some things so I don't set it off. Yeh, and if ya had a baby you can handle it, only difference is it is rather ongoing not like delivery where once the kid is out the worst is over, with the hand once the healing starts the worst is beginning, meaning getting the hand back in action.