CTS in both hands - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Message Board

ImCasper2 · 12-28-2006, 12:14 AM

--I was recently diagnosed with CTS in both hands, along with osteoarthritis (also both hands). I'm ambidextrous, so this is doubly annoying. I use my hands a lot, and now I'm having trouble even just holding a clipboard for a couple minutes at work.
--I've also noticed shooting pains going up my left arm to my elbow. The CTS is worse in my left hand. When the pains occur, it causes my hand to spasm and I drop anything I might be holding. That's a problem because the left hand is the one that gets the gallon of milk out of the fridge (the door opens left to right), among other things. If I drive one-handed, it's the left hand that holds the wheel. In fact, I think I use my left hand more than my right. But I write with my right hand. Never did learn to do that left-handed.
--Whenever I mention having CTS in both hands, I get funny looks, like people think this isn't possible. I've heard of it happening though, and am just wondering if anyone here is in the same situation.

whackedback · 12-28-2006, 06:19 AM

IC2-

I've had CTS in both hands and have had the release surgeries. I'm better off than I was before the releases. My problem was numbness in each hand, that got worse depending on the position of my arms.

I don't know what your hand surgeon has said yet, but you might try braces at night for some relief, but I hope that surgery might help you.

wb

brook65 · 12-28-2006, 10:34 AM

Hi I am 41 and have had cts in both hands since about the age of 21 approx.

A few years back I had the surgery on my left hand, which I have to say even though I had had the cts in that hand for many years, the surgery was a complete success.

I have of yet had the surgery in my right hand, as I am an insulin dependant diabetic, and worry about if the surgery went wrong, I wouldn't have proper use of that hand, as my right hand is my lifeline so to speak.

My cts was brought about by years of hammering on a typewriter, so in my case having cts in both hands rather than the one, is to be expected.

The one trick I have learnt over the years for good relief of Cts overnight,is to keep not only the hand, but the arm upto the elbow very warm, in the winter I wear two long thick socks over my hand upto the elbow, this stops me from waking up in pain.

Please try it.

Gail45ca · 12-28-2006, 07:42 PM

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear you're having so much difficulty. I can identify! I had extreme CTS in my left hand even though I'm right handed. I'd wake up with my hand and arm killing me. It would feel numb at the same time, tingling and with shooting pains. All these sensations can happen with CTS.
It would also be look white as if the circulation was being compromised. I had release surgery in my left hand and it was the best thing I ever did. Completely cured me of all symptoms. I've always had CTS in my right hand as well, although not quite as bad as my left. I'm now waiting to see a neurologist to get my right hand done as well. I do remember when I had my left hand done, that the neurologist told me it's very common to have CTS in both hands. So you are not alone. I wish you a good outcome, no matter what you decided to do. I would really consider surgery, though. It was a godsend for me!

ImCasper2 · 12-29-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackedback

IC2-

I've had CTS in both hands and have had the release surgeries. I'm better off than I was before the releases. My problem was numbness in each hand, that got worse depending on the position of my arms.

I don't know what your hand surgeon has said yet, but you might try braces at night for some relief, but I hope that surgery might help you.

wb

My doctor suggested wearing braces at night. In fact, she wrote a prescription too. But my insurance doesn't cover them, and I can't afford them right now. The good ones are upwards of $20 each here, so two of them would cost $40 or more.
I guess that might not sound like a lot, but right now my finances are pretty tight. My brother was living with me and paying half the rent and bills, but he skipped out on me in the middle of the night two days before Thanksgiving. Left me with no money, so I had to borrow to pay rent this month, and the bills have gone unpaid. I have a disconnect notice on my phone bill, and my TV has been shut off already (around here, there's no reception without cable or dish). So things are real tight. I have Ace bandages, but it's not easy to wrap both hands with those, even though I'm ambidextrous. Once one hand is wrapped, I can't move it very well to wrap the other one. But I might try that again, because it seems like the cold weather makes my hands/wrists feel a lot stiffer in the mornings. I have an awful time getting my fingers moving too.
But it's nice to know there are other people who are dealing with CTS in both hands. What about the pain -- has anyone found anything that actually WORKS to alleviate it? My doctor prescribed Celebrex, but it did absolutely nothing for me. Then we tried something else (Motrin, I think), and that didn't work either. She suggested Aleve, and that didn't do anything except give me an extra pill to take in the morning. My neighbor gave me some pain relief rub, and that helps somewhat, but it smells like very old and stale cigarettes. Who wants to go around smelling like that? Fresh cigarettes would be ok -- I like that smell. But not stale ones. Yecch!!!