Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Iaminagony · 2025-04-15T09:00:48+00:00

Two years ago I went to doctors with (what I now realise was) mild carpal tunnel in both wrists. Advised to get wrist supports and a blood test before further treatment considered. Blood test showed low thyroid, medication given, not had an issue since…. Until 10 days ago… mild tingling has escalated to severe pain at night and constant aches in both at arms. I’d been putting off going to the doctors until the kids are back at school, but I’m on the verge of tears today through pain and lack of sleep. I can’t find the wrist supports I previously had, so have ordered more for tomorrow. Please someone tell me the wrist supports will help, or do you think I’m going to need further treatment now? I’m self employed, tired, stressed with children in school hols. I just need a bit of reassurance. I will go to the doctors after Easter.

bilbodog · 15/04/2025 10:03

Ive found wrist supports help - i wear them every night. I stopped for a while as everything seemed ok but its started up again recently -as soon as i wore the wrist supports again it has calmed down a lot.

i hope they help you too.

Original poster

Iaminagony · 15/04/2025 10:20

bilbodog · 15/04/2025 10:03

Ive found wrist supports help - i wear them every night. I stopped for a while as everything seemed ok but its started up again recently -as soon as i wore the wrist supports again it has calmed down a lot.

i hope they help you too.

Thank you. I wasn’t going to wear them as I have to get up to my baby in the night but I can’t cope with the last couple of nights, I’ll have to make it work.

OP posts:

Baggyprincess · 15/04/2025 10:32

My carpal tunnel came on rapidly. I had nerve testing done in hospital and it was classified as severe in one wrist and very severe in the other. Sorry to say that splints had no effect. Relieved to say that surgery was successful on both wrists, done a few months apart, the second one did get infected but both completely resolved by the ops.

Original poster

Iaminagony · 15/04/2025 10:59

Baggyprincess · 15/04/2025 10:32

My carpal tunnel came on rapidly. I had nerve testing done in hospital and it was classified as severe in one wrist and very severe in the other. Sorry to say that splints had no effect. Relieved to say that surgery was successful on both wrists, done a few months apart, the second one did get infected but both completely resolved by the ops.

Thank you. I was wondering how they test for severeness and when an operation is required. Two years ago I thought I had it bad, I now realise it was mildly irritating compared to last night. What was the recovery like from the op? I’m worried about being out of action too long.

OP posts:

2025mustbebetter · 15/04/2025 11:04

How old are you? I've had carpal tunnel symptoms through all 3 pregnancies and the when I started peri menopause. I'm not saying it's that just worth considering as a reason why it's come on so bad again. Mine is mostly managed by HRT now but wasn't a symptom I particularly thought would be

Baggyprincess · 15/04/2025 11:05

@Iaminagony op was straightforward. The local anaesthetic was uncomfortable to begin with but the rest was painless, discharged an hour later.

Right hand, done first, no issues other than being right handed. I bought a waterproof cover from Amazon so I could shower easily. Driving in about 10 days.

Left hand, got infected which delayed recovery, scar is more obvious. Driving in about 2 and a half weeks after several courses of antibiotics.

If yours is similar to mine then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend surgery.

Original poster

Iaminagony · 15/04/2025 13:27

2025mustbebetter · 15/04/2025 11:04

How old are you? I've had carpal tunnel symptoms through all 3 pregnancies and the when I started peri menopause. I'm not saying it's that just worth considering as a reason why it's come on so bad again. Mine is mostly managed by HRT now but wasn't a symptom I particularly thought would be

Interesting! I’m 46, with a 14 month old baby 🤦‍♀️(feeling old today - can’t get up off the floor without using my hands, which hurts my wrists 😫). It was the original diagnosis and thyroid treatment that led to my pregnancy, I never realised an under active thyroid affected fertility, it just wasn’t happening as far as I was concerned.

OP posts:

Original poster

Iaminagony · 15/04/2025 13:33

Baggyprincess · 15/04/2025 11:05

@Iaminagony op was straightforward. The local anaesthetic was uncomfortable to begin with but the rest was painless, discharged an hour later.

Right hand, done first, no issues other than being right handed. I bought a waterproof cover from Amazon so I could shower easily. Driving in about 10 days.

Left hand, got infected which delayed recovery, scar is more obvious. Driving in about 2 and a half weeks after several courses of antibiotics.

If yours is similar to mine then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend surgery.

Thank you.

OP posts:

dogcatkitten · 15/04/2025 13:34

I would say just get the op if you can, it's a bit painful and awkward for a while afterwards, but I've been fine since and that was quite a few years ago, I had both wrists done about 6 weeks apart. They relieve the narrow 'tunnel' the nerve goes through in your wrist (base of your hand) so it's not trapped any more.

Original poster

Iaminagony · 15/04/2025 14:01

dogcatkitten · 15/04/2025 13:34

I would say just get the op if you can, it's a bit painful and awkward for a while afterwards, but I've been fine since and that was quite a few years ago, I had both wrists done about 6 weeks apart. They relieve the narrow 'tunnel' the nerve goes through in your wrist (base of your hand) so it's not trapped any more.

Thanks. I’m a bit concerned though that I have a 14 month old baby, so there’s a lot of lifting, nappy changing etc. And I run my own business so I have lots of paper/computer work to do. I can’t imagine being out of action, though I appreciate I may have to be to make this better.

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Seaoftroubles · 15/04/2025 17:08

OP do try the wrist supports first. I had carpal tunnel pain throughout all of my pregnancies and whilst breast feeding. This was many years ago and I was told it was due to the extra water retention and also the fact you are frequently holding your baby in the same position which puts pressure on the nerve.
I found wearing the splints at night helped me loads and you can still attend to your baby whilst wearing them. Now l'm old l still get carpal tunnel at night from time to time and wear the splints if l need too.