carpel tunnel decompression yesterday

[Fifegran]

I would like to tell others about my experience yesterday, in the hope it helps anyone waiting on this procedure. I have been on prednisalone since 2018, am now on 2mg. Have waited for 1year 3 months for CT surgery, after nerve conduction test showed severe CT in both hands.

Yesterday I had the surgery at Queen Margaret hospital in Fife, was very nervous, stayed on 2 mg Pred, and had the procedure under local anaesthetic. The whole experience was amazing, was put at ease from the time I arrived by a very caring team of nurses, I found myself on the operating table actually having a laugh with the surgeon, felt very chilled out listening to lovely music of my choice.

The procedure itself does not take very long, I was asked if I would like to see the inside of my hand! I declined that invitation! Then back to the ward for tea and toast, then home. Sitting today with huge bandage on, so happy it’s over with but with no fear of returning to have second hand done in the future. I had been a nervous wreck for nothing!

[piglette]

I am so glad it went well. It so often happens the worry before hand can be so much worse than the actual event.

[Fifegran in reply to piglette]

Yes, although I forgot to say worse thing was the anaesthetic injection in the palm of the hand, but it was over quickly!

[piglette in reply to Fifegran]

The hand and foot are always incredibly painful areas to have injections.

[Iamfedup]

The experience was the same for me except I walked into a clinic had it done and walked straight out. No tea and toast

[ladyinred1]

Hi Fifegran,So nice to hear from someone who must live in my area, I'm in South Queensferry a, know no one who has this condition. I was on the waiting list for carpel tunnel when the disease struck, and I'm now on 2.75mg pred with no return of carpel tunnel yet. I'm having some aches in my thighs overnight so unsure at the moment whether to increase or not. I'm pain free during the day and only feel thigh pain overnight. Have split the dose to see if it makes a difference, I am reluctant to increase the dose and don't really know what to do for the best. Any advice welcome.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladyinred1]

I'm currently in Carnock until after the Easter weekend - my daughter lives here and I will be moving here eventually once we have created my "granny flat".

There are a few in the area along the river on the forum - not close neighbours but not far away. Do you have time for coffee this week?

I wouldn't reduce further at present and seriously consider going back up if you were fine at the last dose. Take a rest from reducing for a month or so and then try again. There is no hurry at this dose - never any hurry, PMR has its own rules and won't be rushed!

You know there is a Scottish charity? And that there are support groups in all the major cities? Maybe if you put a post up on the forum asking if anyone is in this area and interested in meeting for coffee you would get results. Support doesn't have to be an organised group - many started as a few people meeting in a cafe.

[ladyinred1 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes coffee would be lovely, just say where and when.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ladyinred1]

I don't know the area - must be somewhere nice in S Queensferry?

I will PM you - look for a yellow number on your Chat ikon.

[Fifegran in reply to ladyinred1]

Hi ladyinred1, I think there are a few in our area with PMR but have never met any, I live in Markinch. I know there are groups in Edinburgh/Dundee/Glasgow who meet regularly. Glad you have made contact with PMRpro, she will keep you right, a very knowledgeable lady! It would be good to have a Fife group at some point, I for one would be interested, need to get back to driving first though after this procedure.

[ladyinred1 in reply to Fifegran]

Hi FifegranHope your carpel tunnel op is successful. It was a really good description and will have put a lot of peoples minds at rest.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Fifegran]

I intend to try to get something started once I move if there isn't anything going before - but that is still in the future. It is such a pain getting into Edinburgh from out here! Theoretically, I would be able to get to Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh on the bus but it would be a full day trip!!!

[ChrisBeeLoop]

Oh thank you for sharing! What a relief for you. How long is the convalescent and how long will you have to wait for the other wrist?

[Fifegran in reply to ChrisBeeLoop]

Was told stitches to come out in 10-12 days, keep wound covered a further 2 days then open to the air. Have 4 stitches. It seems 6 weeks to be aimed for, depends on what sort of work you do. Everyone is different. At 6 weeks have been told to phone hospital and go on their waiting list for second hand, hope it’s not another year!

[ChrisBeeLoop in reply to Fifegran]

It will be a pain keeping it all dry, but fantastic to get it fixed. Fingers crossed for an early date for the other hand.

[Gimme]

Always good to hear positive news. I'm glad it went OK for you. here's to a quick recovery. 🥂

[Abcd123455]

so pleased it went well. I had both done (one at a time over 6m) a few years ago whilst on prednisolone and all was fine, healed well and no issues too. All the best for the second one when you’re ready,

[Angelsmummy]

Glad all went well,hopefully you will soon be back to normal but milk it whilst you can eh?🤣🤣💐😜

[Estellemac]

I had mine done 35 years ago when you were diagnosed and operated on within a few months. I asked for both at the same time as I was working and couldn’t take off two lots of sick leave for each one. It was a bit of a struggle for 4 weeks but a great result and no problems years later.

[kangaroojohn]

Assuming you have PMR, did your Dr connect the CTS to the PMR, and if so, how?

[Fifegran in reply to kangaroojohn]

Yes I have had PMR since 2018. Doctor did not connect the CTS to any particular cause.

[Estellemac]

I only had Osteoarthritis then got PMR 8 years ago.

[SPM4]

good to hear. I am due to have a hiatus hernia repair in June. Has anyone had that while on pred.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SPM4]

Would suggest you raise this query as a new post… that way you will get more answers. Unless a person has saved this post they will not get a notification of your reply , whereas most get notifications for a new post.

[Trulyscrumpious]

l too have recently had a very good experience and it had completely healed in about 6 weeks. The only thing is the local anaesthetic, which is quite painful, but it doesn’t last long and a lovely nurse held my hand! I didn’t alter my pred dose of 4mg.