hands

have had CTS diagnosed in left hand and waiting to see consultant-January.now get a stinging sensation in both palms whenever I hold anything ie cutlery.also fingertips feel like they have been burnt-tingling on touch.cant straighten fingers but that's been a long term thing.get frustrated cos cannot do anything-pursue my hobby.

[TheAuthor]

Hi anbuma3

I am so sorry to read that you have been diagnosed with CTS, and I have known quite a few people with this and I understand that it is very painful and really difficult to use your affected hand(s).

I have pasted you the NHS Choices link to their cache on CTS:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Carpal-tu...

I want to wish you all the best of luck with your consultant appointment for this and I hope that you find some resolution and relief to the pain of it.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

thank you Ken.i wear the splints every day which provides relief but the metal inserts do dig in after a time.also use microwaveable heat pads.

[clare_hart]

HI anbuma, I too have CTS in both hands and ulnar tunnel in the right. It sucks and I am sorry that you have had these problems. A lot of the finger tightness could be due to tight muscles or tendons. You could try some gentle self massage. Massge the palms and work into the fingers, pulling them out the best you can, tightening your grip and kind of working it around the finger, then pull back down the fingers to the palm again. Massge the fatty area under the fingers and on the back of the hand, get between the tendons and bone, and gently press in as you work down them

I can't swear it will help but it may restore better sesnsation and relieve some pain. I am lucky not to have such weakness as to lose my grip though my hands get weak and exhausted eadily, like typing too long. And my right hand will get very cold.

Physiotherapy helped by giving me exercises to stretch the muscles in the hand and in the forearm. Working on the shoulders can help as well. SOmetimes the trouble can start there as the nerves to the arm and wrist and hand have to travel under especially tight muscle and if there is tightening in the shoulder girdle or you stoop over much, you will shorten those muscles and increase pressure on the nerves.

Well, the best thing you can do IMO is let the doctors refer you as needed and give you as much info and treatment they can.

I think you will get back to your hobbies. Like with fibro, pacing yourself and not overusing your hands will help. Overuse is most often involved in the development of CTS. Lots of job related carpal tunnel issues.

Mine was since I did a lot of small movements with pressure and fast speed, as well as some other things that led to injury. I'm not sure what factors make one person more proneto injury or illness for that matter. But anyway, my best wishes to you.

And enjoy your Christmass regardless. You'll get past this.

[Hidden in reply to clare_hart]

What is IMO?

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hi Clare .thanks fro your advice,will definitely try massaging today.gp appt on Monday hopefully to get another injection to relieve some of the pain .don't know if he can do the same fro ulnar tunnel??have to read up on that.

[Hidden]

Hollo, Anbuma, I have had the op on my right hand and although the palm is very sensitive i can crochet and do x stitch ect. even though all my crochet hooks have sticking plasters and cotton wool covering the ends to protect my palm.

I hope that you will soon get it sorted.

Hugs sue xx

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Thanks sue.will try that on my knitting needles and maybe make a band that will slip over cutlery handles.

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lol I use a childs spoon and fork and the veggie knife. they all have nice rounded handles

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Thanks for the suggestion.don't think they would work for me as my hands are quite large anyway.I know you can get cutlery that is moulded for disabled people.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Anbuma I got cutlery when I was assessed for my needs by occy health so maybe you could ask for a home assessment or ask the doc about it.

I find ordinary cutlery a nightmare to use but the ones I got from Occy Health are fantastic so I recommend them

It's also an opportunity to possibly get some other gadgets and helpful items that you may need if don't have already such as a perching stool or bath/shower seat for example

Wishing you wellness and sending you fleecy fluffies to fight off the fibro monsters over the festivities

xxx sian

[Ginsing]

Morning You I too have CTS I use the splints and also try to keep hands warm and spend a lot of time on massage. I use a towel rolled up under my wrists beside the key board of my computer it elevates the angle of my wrist and keeps the pain down in fingers - give it a go!

Good luck with specialist and Happy Christmas to you

x ginsing

[Hidden in reply to Ginsing]

Thanks ginsing.

[Hidden]

Hi there.I have been told that before. I asked my gp if could be thyroid related.he says my bloods are normal where thyroid is concerned. Not had that recent bloods done but Blue Horizon tests I think were normal.but have had neck/throat probs for 2 years +.cough for 2.5 years and tightness choking and swallowing probs for year+.each time I mention my neck he says I can t feel anything but doesn't feel the front where enlargement is or take swelling into account.only I can feel my pain etc so he should accept when I say I have pain somewhere.

I Have had a lot more advice from my fellow forum friends than from GPS.have put stuff to my gp I the past but as most will know he hasn't accepted much of what I tell him.

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Just googled ulnar tunnel syndrome and it said it could generate from the elbow.that's a possibility as my elbows are twisted and that could cause pressure on nerve.and it would explain the swelling which is the nerve/tendon to my third finger.

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I had CTS ops on both hands 5 years ago and they were fine until the end of last year when they started to cease up with swelling and inflammation. Im sure I am hypothyroid as I have many of the symptoms including high TSH but because still under 10 (5.87 at last test) GP wont do anything and I have family with thyroid problems. I have this year been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and sero neg RD and Sjorgens and have gastric reflux all of which they put down to my ever increasing weight. I try to continue with my craft hobbies but it isnt easy and have to keep stopping because of pain and stiffness in my hands arms and shoulders. I just feel like a moaning old moo My poor hubby. Gentle hugs Joolz.x

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hello Joolz,ive been put forward fro the op,can you tell me if you were not allowed to do anything with the hand that was operated on for 6 weeks or is that a myth?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No you should get it moving as soon as possible. I didnt lift anything with the hand for 6 weeks but I had to get it moving or it ceased up. Just sort of gentle stretching excercises where you touch your thumb to each finger and circle wrist etc. I used to do playing of invisible piano (if you know what I mean). They should give you a physio sheet and advise you when you have your op. When I had the first op done on right hand I didnt excercise it enough and since I have not been able to touch my thumb to my little finger and the tendons are quite tight. I had a few weeks off work too because I couldnt type. My left hand was ok and still flexible until osteoarthritis started back last year. As for thyroid well GP poo poohed it again yesterday and said all my symptoms are down to fibro and weight gain down to not being active. Bit difficult when walking is a problem. I got some NDT to try but have been a bit scared to start it as I have been having a flare of fibro since Christmas and my knees are playing up so taking lots of pain killers. I dont like mixing too much meds etc.

Hope you dont have to wait too long for your op and it works well for you. Good luck. Joolz.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Joolz.sorry to hear you gp rejected your thyroid again.he sounds like the rheumy I saw in 2012-kept on about diet and weight gain -not his area -and refused to accept that I didn't eat hardly anything except breakfast and a small meal-no cakes etc.and that weight gain was not down to diet but abdominal.then he said I need to exercise more -back then I was walking my dogs twice a day on fairly long walks,if that isn't exercise then what is?and why cant they accept that we know our bodies and know where our weight is distributed where they only acknowledge total body weight giving false representation -if that's the word I need to use?do they think we are inactive when we rarely sit down as there is always housework needs doing.

i still take my dogs out btu it isn't far especially as the older one has slowed down quite a lot and spends his time sniffing around and I am slow too.he is almost 13.if I take the younger one out on her own when he doesn't want to go in the afternoon-then I take her to the field where she can run around and frolic in the mud and puddles to her delight.this kills me and I have to keep stopping to rest and can do nowt but go to bed when I get home.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think it is true of many of us that the drs dont know what to do so they blame weight gain for everything and say it is down to not excercising and eating too much. I used to walk everywhere and loved to cycle and even though I can no longer walk far I go to aquarobics and eat 3 small meals a day (though I sometimes forget to eat lunch) but still putting weight on. It annoys me the amount of programmes on tv about fat people and even fat animals. Our lovely dog Charlie was 13 when we lost him in October and we always said we wouldnt get another but there is a massive hole in our lives without a dog in the house and I saw some puppies advertised locally and we are going to be Mum and Dad again at the end of this month. I am so excited about it. We just cant decide on a name. What are your dogs names?

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hi reallyfedup.thinking back,I recall only TSH being done and gp saying if thats "normal" they wont even consider other tests-T3 T4.may have got this wrong.I have been battling for three years to get answers and definitely 2.5 years with swallowing etc.,

[Hidden]

hi Joolz,

i have raynauds and hiatus hernia etc poss sjorgens(from bruising around eyes? )but i know they arent the reason fro my weight gain as had raynauds for many years and my weight has only increased in last 2-3 years and abdominal.your weight gain is down to hypothyroidism?

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im seeing my gp tomorrow to get injection to ease pain in my hands and at least give me some relief whilst waiting to see consultant.also have hospital appt tomorrow pm-speech and language dept-which DR D referred me to cos of swallowing choking difficulties tho not sure why?surely i need to be referred to ENT.hopefully they will tell my problems are thyroid linked.i know my own gp wont do any more bloods for thyroid.

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i think my TSH was 3.2 or thereabouts

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i know that too but how can i convince my gp who probably wont be prepared to listen if i mention anything to do with thyroid as in his words "he cant feel anything".will see how i get on at hospital tomorrow.

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i know but then if i complain that will leave me without a dr.i hope to resolve issues with him and have a meeting with practice manager after xmas.

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I changed my GP 2 years ago because the one I had told me to take paracetamol and lose weight as treatment for myknees (I have osteoarthritis in both and cannot walk properly) he never even offered xrays to see what the problem was. Now the GP I changed to has left the surgery and the new GP is like my old one and doesnt want to listen. I am seeing him January as I have just received my med notes I requested and I can see from these that my TSH has been over 5 since 2011and I have never been told this or offered any help. I have a problem with swallowing and choking and I was sent to ENT where I was told I have Sjorgens and gastric reflux and the letter to my GP said it was because of my weight. Looks like NDT is the next thing I can do for myself. Thank you for your advice reallyfedup123. I am really fed up too of having to fight. Just when we feel ill we have to deal with this kind of thing. Then they wonder why we are depressed! Gentle hugsJoolz.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hello Joolz,i can associate with your experience.my rheumy said the same -telling me i need to lose weight and refused to accept when i said my weight gain wasnt down to my diet cos only ate breakfast and a small meal.likewise i never had xrays on my knees.my swallowing difficulties and choking etc have been going on for about 18 months and only a different GP did anything btu still no ENT referral,hoping at todays hospital appointment will get some long-awaited answers.the letter sent to my gp from ENT 3 years ago only said " its not sinuses".I still have the same nasal problems today and being treated with nasal creams which have only given temporary relief in the past but are not having any effect this time.i know its not a fibro symptom as they desire to put everything down to,not sure why i ahve been referred to "speech and language"when its ENT i should see.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Why dont they believe it when we say we dont eat much? I have seen several dieticians in the past few years armed with food diaries and each one has said I am not being truthful about what I eat or they dont know what to tell me. How would it benefit me to lie? It would be a waste of my precious time seeing them. Do you feel you have a lump like a marble stuck in your throat all the time and have to keep clearing your throat and when you eat always have to drink with it or choke on the food. I sometimes choke on nothing though too. ENT told me it was gastric reflux and gave me PPI meds which make me feel sick. The problem you have with your nose is it dry and sore? I have had a nasal problem for about 2 years on and off and the tip of my nose hurts while my nasal cavity is dry and painful and feels blocked a lot. I was given antibiotic cream for this last year and told not to pick my nose like a child! Didnt clear it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hi Joolz

the therapist i saw today was the first person ever to accept teh fact that i only ate breakfast and a small meal.my throat still feels tight and my neck (thyroid or goitre?)does feel enlarged.i have like a hollow at the bottom of my neck-where thyroid is?my nose is dry and sore and crusts over.the tip of my nose is swollen and i have bone growth along my brow and nasal bone.my nasal bone growth has spread.i have had this for over 3 years and it keeps recurring.i think it is a sign of lupus and still think i should have a scan of my neck.the therapist commented on that i ahd an endoscopy btu that only shows what is actually going on in the throat/oesophagus.if it is a goitre then taht would only show on scans?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh my god its like I could have written what you just said. My nose is also tender on the tip and crusts and sore. My throat feels like something there all the time and everyday feels like it swells like glands do I also have the hollow at the base of my throat and my GP did comment on it but didnt do anything. I sometimes get panicky because it feels like my throat is going to close altogether. I could be sat relaxing and then feel it swell and sometimes choke. Its worse when I have to wear the CPAP machine to be for sleep apnea and I frequently have a panic attack with this and stop wearing it. My GP sent me to Ent but as you say this doesnt check thyroid and possiblility of goiter or nodules. I am seeing my GP again in January about my clumsiness and lack of grip in my hands which is worsening and I am going to again mention my throat. I do worry as my mums twin brother died of throat cancer. My Gps answer to that was that only smokers get that! I am going to ask for a scan. Good luck hope you get some answers soon. Joolz.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hi Joolz.if I dont get anywhere with the PM or my gp then will see Dr D and get an appointment to see him and ask for a referral to ENT or at least get a scan as not had one of neck,and show him your replies (no names of course).

do you have pain and bone growth over your brow and nasal bone?i do and it was said on here that it is a condition called acromegaly which also is cause of thickening of skin on hands.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ive not heard of acromegaly. My nasal bone and brows hurt when I touch them especially the tip of my nose which is very tender and I think has thicker skin on it than it used to. I just looked up acromegaly and I do have some of the symptoms such as sleep apnea, joint pain (arthritis in many joints), skin tags (these have increased recently), fatigue, and have had carpelk tunnel surgery on both hands. Also had a hysterectomy @ age 39 due to period problems. I have thought I have had a hormone problem since my second child 29 years ago. Couldnt get doctor to listen then either. Trouble is these symptoms are also linked to thyroid problems. Confusing isnt it?

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Thank you megmog2.x