Update on my Update on my wrist

[yogabonnie]

Thank you all for help and tips on previous post. Here is today's news. The EMG said carpal tunnel and not coming from neck etc..but carpal tunnel. I took the report to the Hand Surgeon specialist ) and she took and x ray did another test having me look away and see if I felt 2 or 1 small pricks in fingers which was interesting and said absolutely need surgery on the wrist which is scheduled for Jan 12! She also gave me a cortisone shot in the triggered thumb which wasn't nearly so scary or painful as I expected.. just some pressure over quickly and a little pain but Nothing to speak of ! EMG electrodes didnt hurt either! Anyway. it's been 24 hours thumb not moving but I understand it takes time. I will re update after the surgery and in the meantime hope all have a lovely holiday. Here is a photo if you are interested. Whenever I have an Xray I take a pic on my phone of the screen when they show me what is going on. Lots of arthritis apparently! She showed little or no interest in my PMR history but seemed fully competent and professional (unlike me! 🤣)

[piglette]

When I had trigger thumb, it just went away again about nine months later!

[diana1998 in reply to piglette]

Mine went away after 2 weeks and a steroid injection. It was so stressful I could never have put up with it!

[yogabonnie in reply to diana1998]

good to know. my injection was just 48 hours ago. will be patient!!! thanks~!

[piglette in reply to diana1998]

I did find it very painful and also difficult to just use my hand.

[powerwalk]

Good luck with surgery.

[yogabonnie in reply to powerwalk]

thanks!!

[HeronNS]

I had trigger finger which a physiotherapist sorted by showing me where to massage the catching ligament or whatever it is called. Went away very quickly never to return.

However, I appreciate there's more going on than a sticky thumb joint, so best of luck with the surgery! Take care.

[yogabonnie in reply to HeronNS]

had the shot in the thumb on Friday.. not cleared yet. but only 48 hours. so I must perhaps be patient. would like to get that movement in my thumb back without pain!~ but minor complaints! Thanks for the good wishes!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you got a written report as well?

[yogabonnie in reply to PMRpro]

yes. from the EMG stating carpal tunnel. from the nerve-muscle tests. It was aside from the trigger thumb. !

[SheffieldJane]

It’s sounds like you are in good hands - excuse the pun. This lets you off kitchen duties presumably? 💖

[yogabonnie in reply to SheffieldJane]

ha! It sure will. It can't get WET for 2 weeks. and I will milk it for all it is worth! haha

[DogAgilityObsessed]

5:00 am insomnia gets me catching up here! This won’t help especially but just want to record two things:

1. I had carpal tunnel in both hands years ago (10 +) and the op on one resulted in the second hand also clearing up. Apparently not especially unusual.

2. I got trigger thumb a couple of months ago just as my other GCA symptoms were starting. I was going to have a steroid injection but it cleared up. Of course everything else went tits up but that’s another story!

Take care xx

[tempusfugi in reply to DogAgilityObsessed]

Hello DogAgilityObsessed,

Now THAT IS interesting! I have had really bad pain in both hands, getting worse throughout 2023. Finally ended up with a diagnosis of very severe Carpal Tunel Syndrome in both hands.

Last month I had the op on my right hand, from which I'm still recovering (not to put anyone off, btw, because the op procedure was fine). However the surgeon said he couldn't guarantee it would work: the searing pain might remain, along with possible numbness and extreme pins and needles.

So, thus far, the awful pain has gone away and I obviously have fingers crossed that it won't return. However, I still have other symptoms, but what's fascinated me is the fact that the bad pain in the left hand has also gone! I assumed it was connected to PMR as it seemed to echo the other hand but, from what you say, the other hand may clear up, so maybe that's what has happened. Unfortunately, I am still getting trouble with the fingers in both hands and have pain in my left arm (as I originally did in my right until the op) which wakes me up at night.

Two more things to add:

a} the surgery took longer than usual, owing to the fact that it took time to get to the median nerve because of calcification, which I didn't know about...

b) I have an appointment on 11 January for checking on necessity for op on left hand, which I suspect I will need.

Sorry about the length of this reply but I wanted to 'get it out' and finally have been prompted to do so!👍

[yogabonnie in reply to tempusfugi]

thanks! so interesting. Love that your other hand echoed. Hope you continue to get better!!

[tempusfugi in reply to yogabonnie]

Thanks, yogabonnie, and I do hope you soon solve your problems and that the op on 12 Jan goes well for you (feel sure it will). Very interesting to get your updates, btw.

I had a cervical spine MRI to check whether that area was causing pain in both arms but it wasn't the case. All nerve pain was from CTS, going up my arms.

[yogabonnie in reply to DogAgilityObsessed]

so interesting that the other hand cleared up!! love it!

[LadyPam]

hi yogabonnie, glad you are getting surgery. Hope all goes well 🤞

I had my test for carpel tunnel syndrome last week. I have moderate in my right (dominant) hand and mild in my left hand. I’m now waiting for another appointment, goodness knows when that will be ! Hoping for surgery asap.

Have a merry Christmas 🎄

[yogabonnie in reply to LadyPam]

Hope you get in quickly or that you get a Christmas Miracle and it goes away on its own!! I am really lucky that I got in so quickly. t hanks!

[jls93]

Fyi; Symes-weinstien monofilament test for 2 point descrimination. Good luck thanks for update...best to you

[yogabonnie in reply to jls93]

thanks for this!! I wondered what it was. But now cannot remember the numbers she rattled off to her assistant.. 2s and 4s I think and on the good hand maybe 6s. Still not quite understanding but happy to have a name to go with the test. I assume if Both and EMG and SWMT say carpal tunnel it is!!

[jls93 in reply to yogabonnie]

The filaments are part of a test kit. One # is diameter of filament 2nd # distance between. The filaments are engineered to flex at a predetermined pressure. Viola. Our peripheral nervous systems have subsets of sensibility ie hot, cold, light touch, deep pressure, etc. Receptors, nerve fiber types and pathways are well documented. Pretty amazing organization :-DThere is more, just a hint of amazingness... best to you..