fibromyalgia and carpel tunnel

[Kazzza1976]

hi everyone.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few weeks ago but because the pins and needles are that bad in my hands and fingers my g.p thinks I have something called carpel tunnel as well as fibromyalgia. Has anyone heard of this? G.p has asked me to go into the surgery on Monday for further tests. I did not think it was possible to have fibromyalgia and carpel tunnel together at the same time , but apparently it is. He said with fibromyalgia I can have pins and needles but not as frequent as it is happening to me all the time my hands go tingly in hands and fingertips and the pain is shocking

[Badbessie]

Never blame problems on fibromyalgia until proven otherwise. Your GP is totally correct to suspect carpel tunnel and seems on the ball. My wife had the same symptoms and her GP put it down to fibromyalgia. By the time Carpel tunnel was diagnosed by her consultant the damage was done and the operation failed. She as had carpel tunnel in both hands. The right failed but because the left was diagnosed early the operation was a success. Listen to your GP.

[Nee1835 in reply to Badbessie]

I have had what was first diagnosed as M.E 35 years ago. Overtime this has been changed to fibro. I had problems with both hands 30 years ago and was diagnosed as having carpel tunnel when I was pregnant. They couldn’t operate at the time and I had to use day and nights splints, which did help a little bit with the pain. They operated on my right one first, my left was done about 10 years ago. My consultant stated that that carpel tunnel and fibro are 2 completely different conditions. The operation is quick and simple and successful if treated early enough. You really should go for the tests so they confirm the condition and you can get treatment early. Don’t waste any time thinking about it, just get it done otherwise you could end up with serious problems with your hands and then not be able to do normal day to day things.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Nee1835]

Hi Nee thanks for your reply. I am getting seen in the morning by my g.p will keep updated. Thanks take care x

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, not sure what you mean by you did not think you could have fibro and carpel tunnel together? They are two different problems.

When you have fibro it does not stop you getting sick with other things. If your not sure of any new symptom or health problem always get it checked out with a GP.

Please dont blame every thing on fibro that would be unwise.

Momo

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Sorry to read of your pain, yes unfortunately life throws other conditions our way and some days can be horrid when your getting pain from different places, my friend had an operation and doing much better now , yes do keep in touch with your doc and hopefully he/she will monitor how things are going for you, take care xx

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Yassytina]

Thanks for reply. I’m seeing doctor in the morning . Take care. X

[Dinkie]

I had surgery for Carpal tunnel many years ago, the two conditions are not related in my humble opinion. A simple nerve conduction test should prove the cause one way or another. The test will either show nerve compression or no nerve compression.

I'm with Momo on this. It's really easy for us to blame fibro for each and every pain we feel but it is often not the case. I've delayed seeing a GP for shoulder pain which turned out to be calcific tendonitis, ankle pain which was a torn tendon and burning skin which was the start of shingles. Always best to get any new pains investigated just in case.

[Painny]

I had carpel tunnel syndrome years ago the effect of which was having a large lump growing on my wrist. It took a year for it to disappear and the consultant decided not to remove it by surgery contrary to the advice of my GP. His view was if I operate there is a possibility for it to come back.

Then I was diagnosed with RSI and as to Fibromyalgia I had from a very young age but only diagnosed a few years ago. So all the above is possible with Fibromyalgia

Hope you get some help for it and relief xx

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Painny]

Thankyou . I have an appointment with g.p in the morning keep you updated. Take care x

[Lia06]

Hi I have fibromyalgia and carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand but now I have it in my left hand too, hands go very numb and you’re right pain is shocking I totally understand what you’re going through, it definitely can happen together, if yours is carpel tunnel then there’s plenty of other treatments you don’t always need surgery Basically with carpel tunnel the problem is in your wrist area, pressure on a nerve in your wrist causes pain numbness and tingling in your hand and fingers, it can be helped with a wrist splint and/or steroid injections and if that doesn’t help then maybe surgery which cured it in my hand, it’s very common more than you think and surgery is straight fwd not to worry, I hope it is resolved for you as I know exactly what you’re going through but not to worry surgery is performed through base of your hand and recovery is very quick hope you get it sorted asap and again don’t worry, surgery is to relieve that pressure on your nerve so blood flow is normal to your hand hope this helps

[Lia06 in reply to Lia06]

Fibromyalgia and carpel tunnel are two very different conditions not related to each other at all, I know when diagnosed with fibromyalgia some drs blame all your conditions on it but that’s not true always get each and every problem checked out separately hope you get it sorted take care x

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Lia06]

Thanks Lia I am going to get checked on the morning. Thanks for reply take care x

[Sn8w]

Hi I new my name is Lisa, lovely to feel like I can talk about my conditions without feeling alone 💖

I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few years ago and had regula pins and needles in my right hand more than left. I was referred for a elcro pulse nerve test in hospital and it showed what progress the CTS. During my follow up they told me I needed sugery to remove the CT nerve in both hands, this was before pandemic. It progressed quite fast and bad since and operation has been postponed 3 times. I am due to be in 15th September for first hand then 6 weeks later the second hand. I lose my grip, drop many things and wake in pain in the nights even with splints. Hope you get the right treatment, splints really helpful and freeze sprays with early diagnosis. I am praying operation will help, I find it hard with young kiddies, can't drive far or carry bags without getting my hands locked.

Take care 😊 hope you get all the support and care to help you.

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Sn8w]

Thanks for your reply Lisa. My gp has requested to see me tomorrow tomorrow morning. I will keep you updated. Take care x

[Whiteclouds]

Hi Kaz I have both and also rheumatism the pain is dreadful

[Kazzza1976 in reply to Whiteclouds]

Yes the pain is dreadful and constant. I will know more when I see g.p in morning. Thanks for reply. Hope you feel better soon x

[Whiteclouds]

Thank you and hope all goes well for you too x

[saj01]

Hi Kazza... I've had carpal tunnel in both wrists, but not at the same time. Initially, I had steroid injections... but you can only have so many, think it's 3 in a year?. Then had them operated on, and have never had the problem since. Carpal tunnel tends to be worse at night, as the body warms up the carpal tunnel swells and puts pressure on the nerves in the wrist, hence the pain... . What I did find that helped was to stretch my arm/ hand out in front of me palm up, and with the other hand, put pressure on the palm, bending the hand back, thereby stretching out the tunnel... you might like to try that, and use a cold compress there. p.s. didn't have any problems with having the ops, just a bit of inconvenience until it's better, which take a while..

[Kazzza1976 in reply to saj01]

Thankyou for your reply I will try this and see how it goes. Take care x

[Piddlysmam]

I've had carpal tunnel and had an operation in January last year. It's completely healed and my hand is so much better. Still get the pain from arthritis and fibro but I can actually do stuff now that I hadn't been able to do before the op. Good luck with it. If they do offer the op, I'd definitely have it. 👍

[EarthSitter1]

I’m the same as Badbessie ‘s wife I have Fibromyalgia and Carpal tunnel the Carpal Tunnel was diagnosed about 20 years ago now and due to the treatments available then being not so good I’ve still got it,the Fibromyalgia was diagnosed 10 or so year’s ago, Take whatever the Gp offers as things are so much better now and wish you good luck

[fmlife]

had a pain in wrist, the person saw in hospital was sure was carpel tunnel, mentioned fibro, then went for a nerve test a great distance away, My fibro did not like the nerve test at all, it hurts as they put electrode on nerve at various mini electric levels, and they turn the power up each round up arms, making hurt more for me.🤨

may wish to speak to your doctor about this leaflet.

mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/webs...

gentle hugs

[Dee188]

I have fibro as well and was told a few years ago have mild carpel tunnel, they couldn't be certain that was completely responsible for pins/needles as I also have cervical disc degeneration with osteophytes impinging the nerve roots from C5-7 it got better for a while after some traction but lately seems to be back with a vengeance so now waiting to see a physio and possibly have a further MRI/carpel tunnel tests.