Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[livingwith]

I had carpal tunnel surgery at my right hand in January. When I had the first shooting pains one night in November 2007, I thought it was the beginning of periphal neuropathy caused by Thalidomide which I took against Multiple Myeloma. It was already June 2008 when a nurse and then a doctor diagnosed it as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The symptoms had become worse in the meantime. The fingertips of my middle finger, my pointing finger and my thumb had become numb, swollen und highly sensitive when to...Read the full article

[puppyloverof2]

Hi ~ I too have been diagnosed with severe CTS in both hands. Surgeon said I would be like new after surgery. I had surgery on my left hand May 21, 2008 and was scheduled to have surgery on my right (dominant) hand June 25, 2008. After the surgery I was in excruciating pain and never got any relief for months. Had to cancel the surgery on my right hand as my left hand had not recovered enough to take the stress of my right hand having surgery. In July 2008 my surgeon suspected I had RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Disorder) aka CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). I have been going to a Pain Manager since 9/08 and physical therapy from July 2008 through May 2009. I have been diagnosed with RSD which is a terrible disease that does not have a cure. This is a real risk for carpal tunnel patients as anyone can get it. It usually occurs post traumatic injury, fracture, surgery, etc. I can only lift 5 lbs and still have the severe CTS to contend with in my right hand. I cannot have any surgery as it increases the risk of the RSD spreading. It is a debilitating disease. I am in constant pain 24/7. I have to take 60 mg of Oxycontin every 12 hours and Percoset 10/325 every 6 hours for breakthrough pain, as well as Nortryptoline 100 mg every night for nerve pain. I had some dental work done 6/3/09 (had 2 cavities filled) have been in agonizing pain for over 3 weeks. The dentist caused trauma to my mouth with the injection to numb my mouth (I felt it all the way to my eye) and was so rough during the drilling, I had tears streaming down my face for the entire hour I was in the chair. I will not go back to this dentist. I am waiting until Wed when I go see my Pain Manager and hopefully will get some answers and stronger meds so I can go to another dentist just to see what damage has been done. I am trying to find a dentist with knowledge of RSD/CRPS & that is not easy.

I just wanted to caution you on having surgery before your other hand has completely recovered. RSD is more common to happen to women between ages of 30 to 55, or close to that. It is very difficult because it is a pain that people cannot see, so there is a lot of suspicion.

Good luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery.