Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Scare Follow-up

September 8th, 2008 · Comments

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I wrote about how my hands were hurting about six weeks ago, and how my doctor thought I was in the early stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Well, I’m happy to report that the aching and pins and needles feeling in my hands has gone away, thanks to using some splints and making my office more ergonomic.

Here are the things I purchased to help out my condition:

Futuro Wrist Support, Cushioning Beads, Adjust To Fit (got 1 for each arm and wore while sleeping for a few weeks)
Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000
Logitech Trackman Wheel Optical (a little tough to get used to using after years of regular mice)
3M Gel-Filled Wrist Rest With Integrated Mousing Surface
3M Adjustable Height Monitor Stand MS90B

If you’re feeling uncomfortable sensations in your hands, I’d definitely encourage you to get over to your doctor and address it right away.

The whole experience freaked me out, because I was worried my ability to do this work I love was going to evaporate.

Thanks to everybody who made recommendations for products to buy in the comments of my last CTS post.

Follow Shawn on Twitter.

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Viewing 15 Comments

- 2 months ago 1 point
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i'm in a similar situation. I bought the fellowes Gel, http://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Flex-Transparent..., and some different gloves. Seems to help a bit, but resting your hands is the only real solution for the long term.

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jimkukral 2 months ago 1 point
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You can replace that stand with a couple of phone books, but it doesn't look as nice. Good to hear you're better. Very important for this line of work.

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Adrian Bye 2 months ago 1 point
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Now you're past it this time, you gotta watch for the signs its coming back in future, and know when to slow down. I guarantee it will be back. And I re-emphasize that doing weights in the gym has helped me keep this under control.

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http://MeetInnovators.com

Scott 2 months ago 1 point
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Glad to hear you're feeling better Shawn. The thing that helped me more than anything and continues to help are my hand stretches. Now I'm always stretching throughout the day and it feels great.

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Antone Roundy 2 months ago 1 point
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Good to hear you're doing better! I think I felt the early stages myself about 12 years ago. For me, developing the habit of keeping my wrists nearly straight while typing (like the ergo keyboards encourage you to do) was enough to solve the problem pretty quickly, so I never actually verified that that was what it was. It's hard to imagine what I'd do if I lost the ability to type!

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http://WhiteHatCrew.com/

5starAffiliatePrograms 2 months ago 1 point
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Glad you're doing better Shawn. Those Futuro wrist supports are pretty comfortable aren't they?

I'm sure I mentioned in your other post, but for anyone else having a problem 3 of the things that helped my carpal problem the most were the Evoluent Vertical Mouse, MSM (nutritional supplement) and wearing the braces at night.

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Shawn Collins 2 months ago 1 point
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I purchased the Evoluent Vertical Mouse, but haven't tried it, yet.

I might switch soon, though, because it just feels weird using a trackball on the mouse.

Then again, maybe I should go out and get Missile Command.

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Trammell Scruggs 2 months ago 1 point
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Yeah, that's got to be kinda scary. It's very important to take into consideration the effects of long hours in front of a computer.

I wonder how the monitor stand works with a laptop though?

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Shawn Collins 2 months ago 1 point
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Maybe get a docking station for the laptop or just connect an external keyboard and mouse, so you can prop up the screen.

I believe the most desirable position is for the top of your screen to be at eye level.

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Tim 2 months ago 1 point
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Shawn,

Glad that you're doing better. I'm in my late 30's and about 10 years ago my doctor warned me about carpal tunnel. I didn't listen and after years of computer/keyboard work my wrists & hands were hurting pretty bad.

Recently, after switching to a ergo keyboard & trackball mouse, (+ hand & wrist massages from my wife) I'm feeling much, much better, so much so that I no longer need to wear my splint every night. I still put on wrist straps when doing heavy lifting.

My dad got it from 30 years of factory work and I learned the hard way, that you can get it from sitting behind a desk as well.

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http://www.workplusfaith.com

strive4impact 2 months ago 1 point
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Hey Shawn,

Good for you for not going the surgical route. So many people have carpal tunnel surgery and end up with the same problems only 2-3 years later, because the surgery really doesn't fix the underlying problems which cause the inflammation of the tendons.

Glad to hear you looked into, and found, other solutions... one additional thing you can try (if these changes don't alleviate it entirely) is to get a massage 1-3 times/month from a Neuro Muscular Rehab (NMR) specialist. They should be able to work from the hip to the shoulder to the neck to the hands. (Many people are puzzled to discover that carpal tunnel can start in the hips.) Here's a post about how to select a great massage therapist... http://www.strive4impact.com/massage_files/Arti...

Congratulations on recovery and for investigating non-surgical solutions to a problem which should hardly ever be resolved with surgery.

Jonathan
http://www.HealingScarTissue.com

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Robin Austin 2 months ago 1 point
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Have you tried down dog? (Yoga). Works for me every time my wrists start hurting & everyone I've recommended it o are amazed it works. One even had a cyst pop that medical treatment had not gotten rid of.

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http://savnface.com

Shawn Collins 2 months ago 1 point
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I'll have to look it up - never tried Yoga.

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Terri Thomas 2 months ago 1 point
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Glad you're feeling better, Shawn. I've had bilat. ct for over 17 yrs and could not have surgery due to reflex sympathetic dystrophy as well. That's an extreme sensitivity to heat and cold. My nuerosurgeon consult told me that's a bad combination to have and that if he did surgery it could further cripple both hands by exposing the nerves. Since I was a younger woman at the time with 2 young children he rejected that option. I underwent about 5 mos. of phys. therapy that restored me to 60 and 65% mobility. each hand. My phys. therapist told me from the start that based on the severity of my case that I would not be restored to 100 percent. Back then I was a night typist who typed stacks of legal documents 6hrs a night/5 nights a wk for about 8 mos. before my symptoms surfaced. It was very scary for me as well, because my entire arm went numb from the shoulder down---while I was holding my infant son in a parking lot!

As I mentioned to you earlier, I'm now seeking information on products that may help at the cellular level as well as naturopathically as I have recently started experiencing "heat spots" at the base of my thumb areas. I'm hopping on this information right away.

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bob 2 months ago 1 point
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B6 will make huge difference in your wrists for carpal tunnel based on personal experience.

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