is it a ganglion or carpal tunnel

[trisha rose]

i have been having bad pains in my hand/wrist arm. for nearly a year. it took 4 months waiting for an appointment at the hand clinic. and i only seen the dr for about 5 mins! he had a quick look at my hand and said it was a ganglion and it would go away on its own. it was only when i told him that i have very little use of my other hand due to a childhood illness that he said he would send me for a nerve test just to make sure. god knows how long i will wait for that! i myself think it is carpal tunnel. has anyone here had a ganglion on what i have read they are not painful. i can`t sleep some nights for the pain. mornings are terrible it takes me ages to get dreessed then i have to get our disabled son dressed etc.

[sheila1691]

It sounds more like carpal tunnel to me. I had surgery for a ganglion cyst last November. The ganglion was a lump on the back of my left wrist. It was not painful but I had it for over three years and was tired of looking at it and my Dr. said if I had it that long it should be removed. I just had carpal tunnel surgery on that same hand March 24th. I was having lots of pain in my hands, especially at night. I was droping things and having my fingers go numb and had no strength in my hand which made it almost impossible to grab ahold of anything. I wore splints at night(and still do) but it didn't help much. I would definately have the nerve test done to confirm carpal tunnel.

[barastav]

definately get the problem diagnosed....a ganglion may cause pain and a reluctance to bend the wrist but is easily treatable and usually intermittant (can be stubborn like mine)....carpal tunnel left untreated can become severe, leading to thenar atrophy, major pain and problems using the hand. if you are not satisfied with the diagnosis go to another doctor. i made the mistake of not finding out about the possible reasons for the pain numbness etc in my hand and didnt realise that a regular xray ordered by a doctor for years ago was not an appropriate diagnostic tool for the symptoms. the delay in getting surgery has left me with some atrophy in my thumb...i will probably not get full grip strength back. the good news at the moment is im having the release surgery in eight days....the bad news is that because of the length of time and severity of the symptoms it may not be as effective as if it was done 4 years ago. good luck!