Thread: Carpal Tunnel

Hi All
I am interested in hearing from people who have had personal experience with carpal tunnel and treatment of - whether successful or not - especially surgery and the effect on their training
Also any other treatments they may have tried - acupuncture, high dose B6, NSAID's etc

Thanks
mac

I know two people who have had surgery on both hands and they say it was a waste of time. One had the operation twice and made no difference.

Thanks Soriminah

For those of you who have posted on SM previously Re: numb hands waking them at night - it may be of interest to you to google "carpal tunnel syndrome"

mac

Hey there machealth1,
Yep I,ve experience with carpal tunnel syndrome, I had it pretty bad in my right wrist (am right handed ) with mild level in my left wrist. I had the operation (twilight surgery ) on my right wrist approx. 8 years ago, reluctantly, but I had no choice as I let it go for so long it was very painful and my weight training was suffering. They performed arthroscopic surgery at Hurstville Community Hospital in Sydney by a surgeon named Dr Stuart Meyers ( a leader in the field ). An excellent result with minimal damage. Because I am totally whacked about my training I was back in the gym after 2 weeks but should of waited 4 weeks. My wrist and palm felt like it was badly bruised for months but I continued to weight train regardless. That bruising type pain my be the result of going back to gym too soon. The result afterwoods is a definite weaker grip strength even to this day. I had no choice but to get the op done though. I did however investigate alternative type therapies including acupuncture but no benefit. My left wrist was about 50% blocked but interestingly it has actually improved over time and I have not worried about the op. I still currently train using gloves with wrap straps and find that helps to support the wrist. If you choose to receive the operation do try and get arthroscopic rather than the usual (cut wrist open ) as most people I know who had the latter had a huge healing time and poor result at the end of it all. Furthoremore it is probably worth mentioning I am/was a mechanic and I had been weight training since I was 16 - 17 years old ( I am 47 now ) and the Doc suspects its occupation / playtime related . Let me know if you want any more info !
Cheers

Thanks Diamondscuba

I will keep your experience in mind

I don't have any pain whatsoever...just numbness in my thumb and 1st 3 fingers [typical CTS picture] that progressively gets worse during the day
Doesn't affect training or grip strength yet....so hopefully I have caught it early enough!
Am trialling acupuncture, high dose B6 and stretching +++
Will let you know how it goes

mac

Originally Posted by machealth1

Thanks Diamondscuba

I will keep your experience in mind

I don't have any pain whatsoever...just numbness in my thumb and 1st 3 fingers [typical CTS picture] that progressively gets worse during the day
Doesn't affect training or grip strength yet....so hopefully I have caught it early enough!
Am trialling acupuncture, high dose B6 and stretching +++
Will let you know how it goes

mac

What's the B6 supposed to do mac?

Hi T2

Reduce swelling due to it's diuretic effect
Doses of 50 - 200 mgs per day for short term use only....it can CAUSE peripheral neuropathy if taken at high doses for too long - so to be taken under healthcare practitioner guidance only

mac

Originally Posted by machealth1

Hi T2

Reduce swelling due to it's diuretic effect
Doses of 50 - 200 mgs per day for short term use only....it can CAUSE peripheral neuropathy if taken at high doses for too long - so to be taken under healthcare practitioner guidance only

mac

Ok, gotcha. Thanks.

hey Mac, nice to see you back

CTS : my mother had surgery about 9-10 years ago and she said it helped ten fold..never herd her complain since. think it was when they used to cut your hand open? she has a 2in scar across her palm. she used to lay in bed at night with an aching hand, she no longer gets this since the Op.

Yeah thats how mine started , 1st three fingers , which got worse , which I ignored , which then kept me awake at night .
Oh by the way I also had a splint I purchased from a medical supply place , which I could strap to my hand / wrist / forearm and use it to restrict movement. I mainly used it for when I went to sleep at night, I don't remember it being of much help.
I would be interested to see how your alternative remedies go.
thanks

Yep, i had both hands done at the same time (not recommended unless you like someone else wiping your ass) but i feel the operation was a success. Mind you it was done 20 years ago and only now my wrists feel a little weak. Still no pain whatsoever. Mine was done where they cut open each wrist then cut / slice the tube the tendons go through. I were out of action for about 6 weeks but were not going to the gym back then anyways :)
Any more info required just ask

Thanks to everyone for their replies and suggestions ...and to Rix for your " welcome back"

I have noticed a slight improvement after only 2 sessions acupuncture and stretching +++ 2 -3 x day

I have already been on B6 100 - 200 mgs day for the last 4 weeks[it can take up to 12 weeks to show mprovement with high B6 therapy]

Will keep you posted

Ta
mac

Hi All

Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Just a quick update - I have improved dramatically - in fact I would go as far as to say that most symptoms have now disappeared - I am down to having acupuncture 1x every 4-6 weeks - and have continued on B6 - probably averaging 100mgs day and stretching ( when I think about it)
So all good! - Especially great is that I have NO hand or arm numbness waking me continuously at night anymore! - A full nights sleep makes the world of difference!

cheers
mac

Originally Posted by machealth1

Hi All

Re: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Just a quick update - I have improved dramatically - in fact I would go as far as to say that most symptoms have now disappeared - I am down to having acupuncture 1x every 4-6 weeks - and have continued on B6 - probably averaging 100mgs day and stretching ( when I think about it)
So all good! - Especially great is that I have NO hand or arm numbness waking me continuously at night anymore! - A full nights sleep makes the world of difference!

cheers
mac

Great to hear Mac. :)

Hey Mac thats excellent news , I will pass that info on to friends to try first rather than surgery. Thanks for the update
cheers