Hi I’m new on this site for carpal tunnel. I’m on Iv magnesium due to a high output ileostomy. I’ve had a lot of Iv fluids over the last few months and been quite unwell . I then developed what my gp has said is carpal tunnel in both wrists . I’m waiting for an appointment at the hospital.
these are my symptoms
- pins and needles
-numbness
- electric shock feelings
- thumb, first, second and part of fourth finger affected.
- inside my wrists seem to have a weakness
- burning
- extreme pain
This morning I woke with it travelling up my left arm. I was crying due to the pain .
I am waiting for further surgery on my abdomen hopefully soon and can therefore not have surgery on my hands. I’m not sure about steroids injections either yet as I have complex other problems.
Please can someone suffering too let me know if their symptoms and maybe what they do to relieve them . It’s horrendous.
Many thanks
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Esme2007
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My husband uses the wrist splints - sometimes with, sometimes without, the metal parts which can cause more pain, depending on where the pressure is. He swears by Flexiseq cream but you do have to follow the instructions for it to be effective and keep it up. It’s also pretty expensive
Wrist splints are ok as long as one can use their hands/fingers to put them on and off… This is impossible in my case because of extreme swelling and pain/weakness in wrists and fingers because of RA. I could use those in the past but no longer. If one lives alone it is not possible to use wrist splint, unfortunately.
Of course suggestions are helpful but it is important that this is not always possible if one’s hands are extremely swollen and painful… Even doctors and physios seem not to understand that. Naturally it’s only when one experiences the problems that one understands. It’s normal. It wasn’t a criticism.
Do you have a thyroid condition or suspect it? This is a thyroid support group.
Carpal tunnel can be caused by low thyroid hormones.
Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.
Oh sorry …. I think I’ve posted on the wrong one haven’t I….. my consultant has checked for thyroid and diabetes and all fine . I’ve been experiencing light symptoms I think for a few years . My gastro consultant thinks the extra fluids I’m having are aggravating it . Thank you for replying . I will go o. The correct site now ! Thank you .
Hi Esme - what is the correct site ? Also I suffer with this and it is so painful - I am so sorry you are having to go through this but as someone else has advised it is connected to thyroid function but also low Vitamin B6 - if at all possible (and personally considering what treatment you are receiving) your medical team should be checking you are not becoming deficient generally of vitamins and minerals as they are flooding your body with medication - I take B6 and it really helps but please check with your medical team - I take Natures Best B6 50 mg they also give you energy too and help with homocysteine levels and balancing of the female hormones. Hope this helps Esme.
Hi thank you so much for replying. I have quite small hands but did go for medium . There are different types and I got them from Amazon . They have helped but over the last couple of nights haven’t as much . I have complex other problems and was in hospital for many weeks . I’m hoping once they reverse the high output stoma and I go back to my colostomy I will be off Iv magnesium. My hands have swollen at times due to the fluids . I have had lots of things tested and lots of bloods done . I see my gastro consultation on 15th do not too long until I can discuss things with him . I thank everyone who has taken the time to try and help . I’ve had many operations over the years and cancer twice . This pain in my hands is on another level. I would gladly go and get the surgery but cannot at the moment. Try the splints xx
Hi Esme - my late Mum (she lived until she was 93 years of age) suffered all her young life with ulcerative colitis and was the first person in our local Surrey hospital to have an ileostomy - a gastro surgeon had come down from London to undertake the operation - at aged 46 years of age she was free from 6 month stints in hospital - all I remember is Mum being in hospital with us kids looking at her from the garden through the ward windows - or in those days (1966 plus) her being in a convalescent home - she was a really really bad case once having to have 8 pints of blood - then it was foreign holidays - swimming - it changed her life - you are very very brave and things will get better Esme - but try to get your medical team to check your vitamin and minerals as much as possible as is available on the NHS and do ask us on here and we will try to help as much as we can. What I can tell you is that Carpal Tunnel is as the result of something else i.e. something is becoming deficient - as I said B6 is the carpal tunnel vitamin - before I retired I was a Secretary and often my wrist would play up and I would think - hello I'm low on B6 would take it for a few weeks and low and behold the pain and swelling went. Obviously your case is more serious as you have a heavy load on your body but boy it is painful especially the electrical type shooting pains - it is awful. There are gadgets you can buy to calm the tendons and ligaments that are inflamed as I used them on a regular basis for muscular skeletal pain. Also it could be that the Magnesium is depleting you of Vitamin C which is vital for tendons and ligaments but you won't be able to take C for a while as it can cause you to be 'loose' - take care and let us know how you get on - you are with friends here.
thank you so much for your heartfelt reply . I have been through a lot and my 12 hours surgery in September led me to these problems but also rid me of fistulas that housebound me for 6 years and a hernia the size of a football. I had to weigh up the risks against quality of life for not only myself but my husband, children and grandchild too .
It was a risk but I had to take it . If it wasn’t for the ileostomy being high output I would be doing so well . The story about your mum bless her, is fascinating and has given me some hope so thank you . I am grateful for all of everyone’s replies and information. I had slight feelings in my wrists before all of this . Something has definitely aggravated it . Thank you ….. you are so kind .
hi Esme,sorry to hear of your problem.Some stomach ops can cause problems with b12 absorbsion .I was told this 15 years after a bowel resection and it took another 15 years of asking fo b12 checks until a new Gp.diagnosed I had intrinsic factor and due to the portion of bowel removed being the area which absorbed b12 not allowing b12 absorption,one of the symptoms is tingling in the fingers there is a good uk site which if googled will give more info. Good luck in your quest for health.
Most of the reasoning for taking these vitamins to treat carpal tunnel comes from one simple observation. That is, a lack of vitamin B6 or B12 causes symptoms similar to carpal tunnel. For instance, tingling or pins-and-needles in the extremities (like the fingers and hand) are a common sign of vitamin B deficiency.
Wow, that could be a harmful dose taken for any length of time?? It's recommended to never take more than 100mg daily as it can cause nerve damage, numbness, photosensitivity etc...
Hi yes that is a bit of a high dose - which could if 'prescribed' by a medical person have helped for a short sharp intake of the vitamin they need if blood tested they are deficient - but 100 mg would be a maximum dose I would take and in fact I only take 50 mg and I think that is high enough - but it does work and I have possible coeliac disease and it is vital for that problem apparently as it is one of the vitamins and minerals that for some reason is not absorbed.
Be sure to rule out myofascial trigger points as the cause for your wrist pain.
"Both Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are disorders that are more likely to be created by trigger points than by anatomical or structural malformations. Not only can trigger points refer pain that mimics these disorders, but the muscle tension created by these trigger points will frequently compress nerves as they travel in the neck, shoulder, and forearm regions."
Hi Esme , I've just had both wrists released and can sympathize. Splints and elevation helped some especially at night. Pain relievers too. My GP thought it unusual to have both simultaneously. I believe it's from B12 deficiency. Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply . It’s an awful condition isn’t it ? I feel like I’m being tortured . It’s such a coincidence too that both mine have gone at the same time when I have a high output ileostomy where I am losing all my nutrients. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks and am going to mention the vitamin b12 . My nurses who administer my Iv magnesium have said that they also give vitamin b12 injections . Do I will definitely be finding out if this would be possible and would benefit me …. I’m having the ileostomy reversed sometime this year once my large bowel has rested . I’m hoping I will have less problems. Thank you so very much for taking the time to share your experience and advice . I wish you well with your recover recovery ❤️🩹
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