Carpal tunnel?

[Hoglover]

Hi everyone,

I hope the sunny (sort of!) weather is making you all feel a little better.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in June last year after many trips to the doctor trying to explain how I felt.

I’m a carer and work part time, which is all that I can manage. Caring can be demanding and, at 54, part time is all that I can do.

A few months ago I had pain in my lower arms and hands that I’ve never experienced. My partner nearly dialled 999 due to how much distress I was in. I managed to see my doctor the day after who diagnosed Carpal Tunnel.

Has anyone else had this experience? I still get a lot of pain in my wrists and hands and I now have to take Naproxen regularly.

Thank you to everyone who posts on this forum, it’s lovely to know we are not alone.

Paula xx

[Dinkie]

Hi Paula

It's relatively easy to find out whether it is fibro pain or carpal tunnel by having a nerve conduction test. I had the test and it was carpal tunnel so I had surgery but unfortunately I still get the odd days where fibro pain has me whincing when I try to grip something or turn my wrists. So I guess mine was a combination of the two.

[Hoglover in reply to Dinkie]

Hi Dinkie,Thank you for your reply. I guess it’s difficult when fibro causes pain!

I think I’ll try to see my doctor as the pain is really affecting me now.

Keep strong!

[Dinkie in reply to Hoglover]

Indeed it is never easy when fibro makes an appearance. I have learned the hard way not to blame fibro for everything. I thought my leg/ankle pains were fibro but in fact I had a detached and torn ligament and tendon which did require surgery but I had ignored it for far too long. Also the shoulder pain, fibro I thought - no calcific tendonitis.

Ask for a nerve test, only takes a little while to do at the hospital. It will leave some lovely bruises but it will confirm it one way or the other.

[Hoglover in reply to Dinkie]

Thanks for the advice. Will definitely follow this up with my doctor x

[Maria31]

I echo comments about nerve conduction. I was diagnosed with bilateral CP by GP, but NC and EMG tests ruled this out. Unfortunately I still have the arm and hand pain.

[Hoglover in reply to Maria31]

Hi Maria31,It’s so difficult isn’t it!

I’ll see what my doctor thinks.

Take care x

[Whiteclouds]

Hi I have carpal tunnel syndrome too have had it a long time now, times when it’s extremely painful and other times not so very painful. I was on naproxen but found out that you cannot be on this tablet for too long as it effects kidney function I came off it after 2 years.

[Hoglover in reply to Whiteclouds]

Hi,Thanks for your reply. My pain comes and goes but when it’s painful it’s nearly unbearable. I’m working part time as a carer so have to be fit and healthy so when I’m having a ‘rough’ day it takes everything I’ve got to get through the day. I’ve tried other medication but Naproxen is the only one that has any effect but I’ll bear in mind your advice about not taking it for a prolonged period of time.

Paula

[Mrdiagnosis]

Hi Paula . Isn't it strange how we can have exactly the same issue and the medical profession can not see a connection. I've had my right hand CT surgery but still suffer pain . Funnily enough I have my appointment tomorrow for my left hand and not sure if I will go . Don't want to put myself thru another surgery to still have the issue . (Before I get lots of replies, yes I had the nerve tests and yes it says that I have CT ) but what if it's linked to FM ?Someone said that their body was producing certain proteins that cause FM ...not sure what because they didn't elaborate. Anyone know what this is ?

Thanks .

[Hoglover in reply to Mrdiagnosis]

Hi Mrdiagnosis,Thanks for replying. I have been in so much pain today! I’m on a day off tomorrow so will give my doctors a ring. I don’t really want the operation if it does turn out to be carpal tunnel but can’t face coping with pain either! It’s a tricky one!

[Whiteclouds in reply to Mrdiagnosis]

Hi my doc did say I could have the carpal tunnel op if I wanted it but he did also say that in some cases it was not successful at removing the pain. I decided not to go down that route. I have found that red light therapy helps me but the pain does return eventually.

[Hoglover in reply to Whiteclouds]

Hmmm, not sure I’d like to go through the operation to be honest, especially as it may not work.

[Mrdiagnosis]

To be fair the operation Isn't too bad . I insisted on sedation as I have PTSD and other mental health problems. They obliged so don't remember a thing. It's more after that you may need help as you can't use your hand for a while.

I read on the BBC that a very high % of the population suffer with chronic pain and was amazed how high it was . Just hope that they recognise it and stop talking about it and start helping people to have a good life .

[Gaballetto]

Paula, I experienced carpal tunnel syndrome a few years ago - it was confirmed in both arms by nerve conduction test.At the time, I had just started a new blood pressure medication and became suspicious, so I did a little research and found that one of the suspected causes of carpal tunnel syndrome is fluid retention in the area. The BP medication leaflet mentioned that it could cause fluid retention.

Long story short, we (my GP in Australia and myself) collaborated to test the theory - and every time I stopped that particular med the carpal tunnel syndrome went away, and every time I restarted it, lo and behold, my hands and arms hurt like h... every night. I had purchased special wrist braces to wear at night, and worked out that I could sleep lying flat, with no pillows, and my arms straight down by my sides. I am now taking different measures for BP control and have never suffered from the terrible pain of carpal tunnel syndrome again.

Please remember, that this is only my own personal experience, and that everything I did was with the help and advice of a very understanding GP. Don't change any meds without first consulting your GP, but do give some consideration to the possibility of anything (not just meds) that makes your body retain fluid may play a part in causing carpal tunnel syndrome. They say that even pregnancy can cause it.

Have a look at this website:

versusarthritis.org/about-a...

[Hoglover in reply to Gaballetto]

Hi,Many thanks for your comments. It’s so surprising how many different experiences people have had. I’ll have a chat with my doctor.

Thanks again