FED UP

[gradyjackjacob]

As well as having rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in my knee and foot i,ve also got carpal tunnel in my right hand.Has anyone else had carpal tunnel and if so how was it treated.

[janmary]

I was referred for surgery at one point , had to abandon that for family reasons . I wore splints at night, sometimes in daytime too. But it gradually improved with my RA treatment and weight loss. (Mostly the latter though I wasn’t ever really overweight)

I used to get it during pregnancies too.

Im glad I avoided surgery now

[gradyjackjacob in reply to janmary]

I have splints that i wear at night but was told by my doctor that if they havent worked within ten days to ring the surgery which i,m going to do tomorrow.Many thanks.

[sylvi]

I haven't had carpel tunnel so i don't know how you feel darling and i don't have any answers for you sorry. Hugs. xxxxxx

[gradyjackjacob in reply to sylvi]

It,s like constant pins and needles in my left hand,thanks for your reply.x

[Robin0]

I had carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists. ( not at the same time) Done under local anaesthetic. It was a quick recovery. I was later diagnosed with sero negative RA and apparently it’s linked or a crossover with the carpel tunnel problem.

[nomoreheels]

Like you I have RD & OA. I started with Carpal Tunnel symptoms in the autumn of 2012 & had CT release in Jan 2013, I was well controlled at the time. In the short time from diagnosis by my Consultant to the op symptoms travelled up my arm up to my shoulder, relieved to some degree by dangling my arm over the arm of the chair & at night down the side of the bed. I did wear a thumb/wrist splint, the ribs bent to fit by my Pharmacist (who filled the prescription). Until doing so it gave little relief so if you've been provided with one don't necessarily give up on it if you don't find it helps initially either, it may need altering for you.

The op was done as a day patient, under local anaesthetic. I was taken to theatre, a sheet was placed between me & my wrist whilst they operated. It's not a very long op, probably about 20 minutes or so. Once done it will be wrapped up well & I was told to keep my arm raised, it was put in a sling which I’d to use for a week. I was prescribed co-codamol 30/500mg for any pain I had which I must say I found wasn't a great deal, only really once the anaesthetic wore off & a little whilst things knitted together.

I saw the Neurologist again a week later, had the dressing changed, after that I was able to lower the arm & use it for very light work. Just short of a week later the dressing & bandage was removed by the nurse at my local GP clinic, he was pleased how it looked so removed the stitches. I've a tiny scar about 2cm long which has mingled in with the life line towards by wrist at the top of my palm so really not noticeable.

The only problem I had wasn't related to the op. They wheeled me backwards in the bed when taken back to my room. I don't travel well facing away from the direction I'm travelling in so was very queasy when I arrived. That plus an issue with the lift added to feeling a bit rubbish. Once back at my room I wasn’t able to eat the sandwich & yoghurt provided so I’d to remain in bed until I was a better colour which delayed me being released. Otherwise it really was straightforward!

I hope all goes smoothly when you have your op. Do you have a date yet?

[gradyjackjacob in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you for your useful reply.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to nomoreheels]

I was told by my doctor to use splints for ten days and if they don,t work to get in touch,problem being i,ve got to ring my surgery at 8o,clock each morning to see if i can get a over the phone consultation which is a nightmare as everyone else needing to see a doctor is ringing at the same time.

[nomoreheels in reply to gradyjackjacob]

It is a nuisance needing to call your Surgery each morning, the busiest time. Is it that you've been unable to book a tel appointment to inform your GP the splints aren't helping? I take it they've disabled the online booking system, if you have that option.

[Wobbies]

I have carpal tunnel syndrome but refused the operation as my closest friend and a cousin both had that op on one hand and found it so painful that they would not go back to have the second one done. So, that put me off but my local hospital has a poor reputation and my experience of it has been dreadful, so you might be luckier. Mind you, it improves when my Rd is well controlled, which is rarely.

[tazman3]

I had surgery on my carpal tunnel problem on my left wrist a few years before I was diagnosed with RA. I also had a snapped tendon in my index finger and that was sorted at the same time. I have read that RA can cause snapped tendons and I couldn't understand how I had done it. I recovered quickly and the relief was wonderful, but I was operated on by one of the best hand surgeons in the UK. My scar is virtually invisible and I have had no problems since.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to tazman3]

Thank you for your reply.

[Gladders]

I remember the pain of carpal tunnel especially during the night when I only got relief by hanging my arm out over the side of the bed. I had the surgery with a local anesthestic it took a couple of weeks to heal but the relief afterwards was amazing, for me it was the best thing. I hope you get it sorted as I know how painful it can be.

[agnesmay]

I had surgery 2 years ago for carpal tunnel in my right hand, I have had the left hand operated on too, no problems with either but it does take 6 weeks before you can drive again and complete other household tasks..

[gradyjackjacob in reply to agnesmay]

Thank you for your reply.

[tyke3poppy4]

I had a carpal tunnel operation on my right hand in 2019. It went really well under local anaesthetic . I would say - go for the operation if you can. I also need my left hand doing but have had to put that on hold because of COVID. I sound a lot like you, I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, CLL and last Thursday was told by my rheumatologist that I have Fibromyalgia!! I also have heart arrhythmia and diverticulosis - but keep going. Its OK to get fed up but keep your chin up - at least we are still here!!

[gradyjackjacob in reply to tyke3poppy4]

Thankfully we are.

[stbernhard]

Luckily I never had that condition. Sending you best wishes and hope you can get relief and treatment very soon.

[gradyjackjacob in reply to stbernhard]

Thank you