Happy
((Thank You)) "yes" I was worried about this. Thanks for letting me know it's not that bad considering it could be much worse in the future. "You guys are the best". I have never been much to keep idle hands,I gotta keep my hands busy.
Like you, this is going to be pretty hard! I'll get both hands done at the same time then I don't have to be down another two weeks. I'll update once I set up an appointment,I would like to finish up afew project first.
"Thanks everyone" Kathy

Katzz are you worried that you will not be able to quilt with you have the surgery. because when I had mine done I was not able to quilt for 2 weeks untilll the stiches came out. things are so much better now Happy

Pat
Thank you. Sorry to hear about the O.Arthritus. I Know what you mean about that personal use. Dr. already told me I had it in one hand o.arthritis. I will see into it this winter. I just don't want to be completely down from quilting just yet- with the healing process and all.
Hugzzz Kathy

Osteoarthritis is a joint problem, while carpal tunnel is caused by pinching of a nerve as it passes through a tendon sheath in the wrist. No relationship to each other, although you can have both at the same time. My carpal tunnel symptoms went away entirely after the surgeries (had the wrists done separately--need to have at least one working hand for personal care, LOL), but I didn't wait for long after finding out that was what was causing my symptoms--I had friends who waited too long, and their nerve damage was permanent. I now do have osteoarthritis in my hands, and it's a pain.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Maggie
Thank you. I'm hoping that if I decide to get the carpal tunnel surgery that it doesn't make the arthritis worse - "this is my fear" - I ended up getting the arthritus in both hands after I had the carpal tunnel surgery done on my right hand shortly afterwards then I'm afraid if I don't have it my hands will only get worse with the arthritus and maybe progress faster and cripple up. It's a hard decision to make, I'll just have to talk with the dr. about all this. I don't like the testing they do when the stick those needle all over,its shocking and very ouchy. People have told me the the carpal tunnel and arthritus is totally two different things and that it does not relate to one another. With my arthritus I feel I do have the same symptoms,swelling and joint pain and numbness caused by this so I don't see how they don't relate. I mean really if I'm still going to have the same symptoms afterwards why should I have the carpal tunnel surgery. This is why it is so hard for me to have carpal tunnel surgery. This is why I'm so darn confused about all this stuff. Are there patients that have arthritus in thier hands that get the carpal tunnel surgery done and if so how does it help?
((Thanks everyone)) Kathy

I'm probally repeating the same things I've said before and probally asking the same questions. I'm Just completely confused!

Kathy, if you have the surgery, make sure you have a "hand" surgeon do it. A regular orthopedic or neurosurgeon can do the surgery, but you really want someone who only works on hands. I traveled almost 3 hours one way to have a surgeon who used to work at my clinic do my surgeries, and not one moment of regret. And I advise my patients with hand and wrist problems to go elsewhere, I believe this strongly.

You are correct, Kathy. The surgery won't give you perfect hands because of your arthritis. And you certainly don't want your arthritis worsened because of the surgery. I will keep you in my prayers.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

"Thank you"
I don't know how I missed these last two replys,so sorry. I will have my hands checked again soon,I already know what they will say about the carpal tunnel. I'm just hoping its not permanent damage. Kathy

I've had the carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and I don't regret it for even one second. I actually had my right wrist done in 1984 when they still thought it was a rare condition and only neuro surgeons did the surgery. At that time, I was told the longer you wait to repair it, the more permanent damage you can cause. I didn't need the left wrist surgery until 15 years later when an orthopedic surgeon did the surgery. I must admit, I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have pain, just the numbness. A second or even third opinion is always good before you make your final decision.

Kathy, I will repeat this, when you have that numbness and tingling, it's because your nerve is being pinched in that tendon sheath in your wrist. If you wait too long, the nerve damage from being pinched will be permanent. If you get it repaired by the best hand surgeon in your area fairly quickly, the nerve may be okay.

Pat in Rockport, TX who had the same problem, but got it fixed in time, thank goodness.

I forgot to mention that I had went jeeping/mudding with DH and SIL that week end and My left shoulder muscles was hurting good too from all the bouncing and tossing around," I think this caused the flare up on the hand/elbow". It was pretty sore for two days. The agravating achyness and numbness is present each day, I'm trying my best to stay away from the Dr. and surgery as long as I possibly can. The flare ups can be pretty nasty thats for sure. Better than it was thats for sure.
Kathy

You know I had the surgery and I am glad I did I wish I would have done it a long time ago I had both done a month a part so I would say if you have a doctor you like and trust do it Happy

Thank you everyone. I'm trying my best to (avoid) having any surgery thats for sure,and I would definetly get a second oppinion. years ago when I had the carpal tunnel surgery I had this in both hands but I had surgery just on the right hand-because of having the arthritus set in both hands shortly after. I'm sure having a good flare up on the left hand. Today it is still swollen but doesn't hurt nearly as much as yesterday,the sleep and placement of your hands does help. I wrapped my hand with ace bandage last night, this does help alot. I need to get a pair of elastic gloves too. Having arthritus in both hands and having numbness in both hands when you have a flare brought on with this type of pain it feels like you have a broken wrist/hand/pain to go along with it. I have done the meds before with these flare ups and they don't do much for me. My right hand I don't recall it flaring up this bad as the left hand is doing all except for the numbness and acheyness of the bones.
I believe having it elavated helps some though I think this flare is going to last afew days,hopefully only afew days. If this is a bad flare that will pass I can hopefully stay away from surgery.

Having arthritus and numbness in both hands always my hands swell alittle each day so when you have this type of a flare up its sets you off to being so "confused" on what to do. Even if I had the surgery for the carpal tunnel I will still remain having the arthritus and numbness. "Crazy isn't it",so I'm like what does it fix.

Its a really tuff call on what to do when it comes to the carpal tunnel and pain when having arthritis/numbness. Funny how the pain doesn't by pass the numbness.

I'll update again later on how the flare is doing
((Thank you everyone))
Kathy

Once you start having numbness, you need to know that if you wait long enough, the pinching of the nerve in that sheath can cause permanent damage. The numbness may never go away if you wait too long to treat it. I called around and talked to nurses, and found the best hand surgeon in our area. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists with excellent results. The wrist braces didn't help me. YMMV.

Pat in Rockport, TX

Libbi - I have used the exact same treatment for my right wrist! It was prescribed for me while I was in the Navy 12 years ago. It has worked so well (I probably have to put the wrist brace on 3 or 4 times a year) that I have looked for a wrist brace for my left wrist too. Yes - avoiding surgury has been a good thing for me! Mary Kay