when you sleep? I have horrible carpal tunnel and cannot sleep without my wrist braces. Even then I wake up often with numb hands. Since I was a kid I have wished I could unscrew one arm at night and put it in the nightstand.

I usually sleep on my back so my arms just lay next to me but when I lay on my side I cross them and on my stomach forget it I can't get them comfortable.

Am I a wierdo? Or do other people think about these things?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Have you given any thought to having CTS surgery?? DH ended up with trauma induced CTS due to an injury Nov 06. After being in a brace, cast and splint for about 6 months and not having CTS before the injury, he was diagnosed with CTS in June. Had surgery Nov 30 and no more pain or numbness.

It's too expensive and I can't afford to take time off work. I work for the Feds they keep me below benefits and I have no job security so for now it's just suffer.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I love to sleep om my sides but can never do it without getting frustrated with the cut off circulation in my arms so sooner or later I end up on my back.I have often thought how nice it would be if we could just unscrew are arms and take them off at night.

I am having exactly the same problem, Annadrose! I have quilted for so many years, worked at various keyboards, handle books at the library (my main job) and I took a part time job floorsetting at Bath and Bodyworks. I am on my home computer too much! My hands are numb all the time lately. Tomorrow will be a day from hell. The library has been closed for the last 3 days for the holiday, and the book/movie returns will be awful.

I'm watching to see what people write.

Has anyone had the carpal tunnel surgury? How was the healing time and did it help?

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Donna

I went to the chiropractor (sp?) for my back and he said let me take a lok at your wrist and he worked his magic and it felt better after just one treatment. You may have to go back a few times but it worth the relief if only for a short time. Hope this helps!

I had the surgery in 1998 in my right hand. the healing time was short but I broke that same arm one week later so Its had to say. The only thing I can say about the surgery is that instead of my thumb and pointy finger going numb and tingley the other three did. Then about 1 year later it returned so I didn`t have it done on my left hand. So now I have it again in both hands.

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

The chiropractor has woked wonders on many people I know, and myself. I'd give it a try. My initial thought though, was...could you get some of those circulation stockings....but in glove form? The kind they give you, in the hospital, when you have a baby. I'm nuts, I know.

I had the CTS compression release surgery in 1990 after a couple years of extreme pain with CTS. I had trouble sleeping and driving because of the pain.

I had heard all kinds of different results from the surgery,not all good so I avoided it until I got the news that one of the best surgeons in the state was covered by our insurance. He did a wonderful job. I was in PT the day after the surgery and had to go 3 times a week for 4 weeks. I have not had a recurrance and the only down side I can think of is that my hands seem to be more sensitive to cold then they used to be. But that could be old age too.

And I was told by the surgeon that the longer you wait the more damage is done.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

I also used to have lots of trouble with my arms falling asleep at night. I recently lost 60 pounds and this problem has almost entirely disappeared. I would have never thought that carpal tunnel was related to being overweight.

Nope, definitely not a wierdo, b/c I also wonder how others sleep. When I was having a really hard time with rheumatoid arthritis in my elbows and other joints, I would sleep on my stomach and with my head turned to the side and my arms laid out down by the sides of me. This was the only way not to wake up with my elbows stuck in a crooked position and hurting to the point I would cry.

I know my arthritis is not related to your carpal tunnel, but maybe that sleep position can help? It took a while to get used to it and 6 years later I find myself going to sleep in the same position sometimes.

Yes, it sure is!! There was a teacher at DS's school last year that had both wrist done at the same time. I found it curious why a teacher would have CTS until I was reading up trying to find info before DH had his surgery. Overweight was a cause. The extra fat compresses on the carpal tunnel.

Many things can cause CTS or CTS like symptoms:
*hormones (pregnant women, menopausal women often experience CTS symptoms which subsides after baby born/menopause is over or treated)
*Thyroid issues
*arthritis/fibromylagia
*injury (scar tissue)

Another thing that can cause symptoms similar to carpal tunnel is CUBITAL tunnel. And that is basically the same thing as CTS but it originates at the elbow. There is also something called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which actually originates in the back.

The most common treatments include: Physical Therapy, Splinting/Bracing, oral steroids or other anti-inflammatories, cortisone injection into wrist, and last resort should be surgery.

As a Work comp claims adjuster I see these types of occupational diseases/repetitive motion injuries A LOT. Based on how I have seen these type of "diseases" treated, heres what I would suggest for anyone who suffers:
*consult your family doctor
*first try splinting/bracing and modifying your activity
*then, oral steroids or anti-inflammatory medications (over the counter would be ibuprofen and aleve)
*then 3-4 weeks of intensive physical therapy focusing on the upper extremeties
* possibly2-4 weeks of chiropractic care/massage therapy
*steroid injections
*consult w/ a neurosurgeon and undergo NCV/EMG testing--
*if the NCV/EMG testing is positive for carpal tunnel and the previous treatment suggestions have provided little or no relief, then surgery is probably indicated.

As to the sleep issue: Have you tried sleeping with your arms propped up on pillows? Do you have a good mattress? When was the last time you got new braces? Are the braces you are using custom made/molded? Do you wear any braces during the day? All of these things can make a difference.
A physical therapist/occupational therapist can probably provide some recommendations for sleep positions that might help alleviate the pain. As well as exercises/stretches that can help alleviatethe compression on the tunnel. Repetitive motion injuries/occupational diseases are some of the most difficult injuries to deal with.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"