Anyone have carpal tunnel?
#153715 - 02/24/05 12:15 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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What does it feel like? I have this shooting pain on the side of my wrist, into my right hand. It absolutely kills. What works for that sort of thing, other than painkillers? (I can't take any.)
It REALLY hurts to type... I'm going to be pretty scarce around here till my hand recovers from whatever I did to it.  I can't even click a mouse button without pain!
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I used to be a word processor, so I was at the computer 24/7, for many, MANY years. I developed what I THOUGHT was carpal tunnel, but the specialist my regular doctor sent me to said it was tendonitis. He prescribed a brace that covered my wrist and thumb into my palm, sent me to a physical therapist, and gave me a "prescription" for an ergonomic specialist to come to my office and analyze my work station. I had to make considerable changes, because I was not ergonomically correct when I worked.
The changes made a huge difference, instantly! And I did it all without drugs.
I recommend seeing your doctor. It's especially important to "nip it in the bud," so to speak. When I knit, which I do constantly, my tendonitis can flare up a little, so I have to take it easy. When I was into making rag rugs, I had to quit altogether because my tendonitis was at its worse.
If whatever you're doing is causing this, well, you know the answer. If you can't quit what you're doing, then as I said, see your doctor.
Good luck, Pretty Lady!
Bevvy
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Fill one of your kitchen sinks full of hot water and one with cold. Soak your arm up to your elbow (as best as you can) in the warm water for 3 minutes then 1 minute in the cold. Do that 3 times and end with 3 minutes in the hot.
Trust me. It really works. Plus it's free!
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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I had it bad when I was pregnant with my first son (I think because I retained so much fluid and that caused the nerve to be compressed.) It's very painful! I remember my arm throbbing and it would shot into my hand. My hands would be numb (like they were asleep), especially first thing in the morning. I had a hard time putting on my makeup or blow drying my hair, because I couldn't feel my fingers!!!
It hits people who do repetitive moments all day, such as typing, or hairstylists who use scissors regularly. I don't remember taking medicine for it (but maybe that's because I was pregnant and couldn't.) I know the doctor told me I needed to use my hands as little as possible for things like writing. Many people who suffer with this have to put their wrist in a sling to immobilize it for awhile.
How long has this been going on? Do you type all day?
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It just started today, about a half-hour before I posted that. Now the pain is somewhat less in that I can type ok, but it hurts to move my wrist. It feels like a sprain, except that I didn't sprain it. 
I do type a lot. I sell on ebay, so I'm constantly writing up listings, replying to emails, and doing research on items (which doesn't involve a ton of typing, but it still involves me sitting here with my hand clicking mouse buttons). I also knit, pretty much whenever I'm not at the computer. A repetitive-stress condition/injury wouldn't surprise me at all.
I wish it were as simple as just going to a doctor, but I can't right now. I'm in between doctors, and with Medicaid, you can't just GO, you have to have a PCP. I can't see a doctor until sometime in March. Phooey.
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Perfect! That's exactly the kind of suggestion I was looking for - free!  I'm off to try that right now!
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Hey Casey
#153791 - 02/24/05 04:12 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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I had a bad bout of tendonitis in November that the doc said was likely early stage carpal tunnel...it can be a real pain! I read your post about how you can't go to a doctor, so if it makes you feel any better, my doc didn't really do anything for me!
She just recommended icing the affected area for 10 minutes at at time multiple times throughout the day, and gave me a prescription for Naproxen (an NSAID). You could also take Advil as it'll do the same thing, it's just not as strong. She also said NOT to heat it (even thought that made it feel better) because that could actually make it worse. Finally, she recommended physiotherapy (which helped but can be expensive) and a wrist brace (which also helped). I know you do a lot of typing so if you can afford a brace you'll probably find it really helps. The one I got looks something like this: http://www.bracecenter.com/storm.cfm?funnelaction=10&ProductID=563
The physiotherapist gave me a bunch of excercises to do which really helped, feel free to email me if you want and I'll try and describe them to you  My email is k cameron 7@rogers. com (remove spaces)
Hope you feel better soon!
Kelly
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Hey Atomic,
you could see a physio or message therapist. I have wrist and left shoulder problems and we are working on realigning my WHOLE body, not just trying to fix the area. He's says, "treat the cause not the symptom". I feel a lot better these days. It's called BODY MECHANICS. THerapists all over teach it. It's amazing.
When my wrist flares up i message my upper forearm which is sore...everything is connected to something. See if that helps.
and ice it.
Good luck
by the way I love reading your food/diet tips posts, they are soo informative and inspiring!! and I LOVE the tatoos!
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Life responds when we risk.
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Yep, got it really badly 3 years ago when I worked for a website and basically had to cut and paste html all day.
For me it started off as an ache in my wrist and ended up as a pain up my arm, shoulder and neck. Painkillers didn't work, I just had to grin and bear it - sorry!
Its sort of gone now, but I am prone to it and have to be careful. There are exercises you can do to help reduce the risk and sometimes wrist rests help.
Good luck and I hope it gets better soon.
C
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and get hand x-rays done... my sister really has CP, but a friend and I were both diagnosed with it originally only to find after long agaonizing periods that we had cysts in our wrists- mine was actually drained via a needle, my friends had to be surgically removed.. but once they were gone the pain went away. good luck!
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Dietetics Student (anticipating RD exam in Aug 2010)
IBS - A
Dairy Allergic
Fructose and MSG intollerant
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