carpal tunnel symptoms
Posted By: andrea on 2007-08-30
In Reply to:
Well, it has finally happened. After 18 years of transcription, I'm starting to have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It has come on very suddenly, over the course of just a week. What I would like to know is if it is possible to turn this around, since it's just coming on? I have bought wrist supports, which help immensely, as does naproxen. I'm taking frequent breaks also. Can somebody give me hope that I won't end up needing surgery?
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CARPAL TUNNEL SYMPTOMS..sm
Is it possible for carpal tunnel syndrome to cause a slight tingling feeling in the face as well as the arms and hands? I have had just the slightest of tingling in my face for the last two weeks. No other symptoms at all...just a slight tingling. I have also had, for a longer period of time, pins and needles in both arms, more on the right. I've been a steady MT for about 14 years, and I'm wondering if it's catching up with me? I sorta ruled out a stroke since I figured I'd be dead by now and there are no other symptoms! Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. 
what are the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (sm)
Anyone know the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel? My right top of my arm feels sort of numb, like my forearm and my wrist aches. Also, my shoulder hurts. Is this typical for carpal tunnel or maybe something else? 
Thanks! At least I don't have carpal tunnel (yet)! nm
nm
Carpal tunnel
I had carpal tunnel surgery about 10 years ago in Nashville, the chief of ortho told me I would never be able to transcribe again - went back to work transcribing 10 days later and have been transcribing every since without problems.
carpal tunnel
My wrists were just starting to hurt after almost 8 years of transcribing and I was thinking oh no, not surgery. I bought a pair of little stretchy "gloves" with the fingers cut out and an adjustable strap that goes around the wrist at Walmart for about $8.00 and they have really helped. Found them in the section where they have assorted splints and braces.
Carpal tunnel
I just had the carpal tunnel release done. It was quick, relatively painless and I was able to work again almost immediately. Before considering a complete career overhaul, consider having the CT release surgery.
Carpal Tunnel
I was having terrible symptoms of wrist pain, hand pain, forearm and shoulder pain. A couple of years ago I switched to an ergonomic keyboard and the pain went away. It took me about a week to get used to the keyboard, but it was well worth it. The only problem is that now I can't type on a regular keyboard. My friend, who has been an MT for 20+ years and was about ready to retire due to the pain, did the same and it helped her also. There are a lot of ergonomic keyboards on the market, but my favorite is the Microsoft Natural. Hope this helps.
Carpal tunnel
Have been doing this for 20+ years and I had more problems when working as an Admin Assistant for department heads at a hospital. In fact had CT surgery when working as a secretary and answering phones for 12 social workers. Since I have been doing this, have not had any problems except for that which comes with older age. I do get up and move about, have a movable keyboard rest and work in several positions but type up to 10 hours a day sometimes and no problems. I do walk, exercise and do yoga and take time for myself and feel that helps.
Carpal Tunnel
I began experiencing problems with carpal tunnel about 3 or 4 months ago. It wasn't so much during the day that I hurt. My first symptom was that I was waking up at night with my hands having numbness with a sharp tingling sensation. My thumb, and first two fingers were slightly numb during the day, but not enough that I really noticed it very much.
I went to the doctor for the pain that I was having at night because I thought that I had something wrong with my circulation.
His advice to me was to wear supportive wrist braces at night--and only at night--to keep me from bending my wrists while I sleep (which is what most people do, I guess). He said that I had inflammation of my carpal tunnel due to the amount of time that I spent on my keyboard (though I blame ASR for the necessary repetitive motions back and forth between the arrow keys and 'home row'). However, wearing a brace during the day would only cause my handsd to have to move in 'unnatural' ways and would only make the problem worse. He said that I needed to keep my wrists straight while I slept at night, as this would be when my wrists would receive their best 'healing time.' He also prescribed daily NSAIDs.
I noticed a difference after just one night!! I still had to wear the braces for about a month to completely get rid of the symptoms, but I am currently symptom-free!!
I can't say anything about how to relieve exhaustion WHILE ACTUALLY TYPING. I mean, the best thing to do is to take frequent breaks--but if you can't, then you can't!
I fortunately now have an account that has no ASR and allows me to work for a couple hours in the morning, a few hours in the afternoon, and a coulple of hours in the evening. This breaks up the monotony and gives my hands a break.
carpal tunnel
I never had the surgery itself, but I worked with a coworker when I was in-house who had both hands done, but not at the same time. She was back to work within a couple of days. She did find that an "ergonically correct" keyboard (hope spelling is correct)was helpful. It took her a while to get used to it, but it really helped her.
The dreaded carpal tunnel
My doctor (neurosurgeon) thinks I need carpal tunnel surgery. I went to him for back pain and during neuro checks, he said my thumbs were "dead." He is sending me for an EMG. The only thing I have noticed is that I wake up in the night with "numb wrists." I don't have any finger/hand symptoms at all. I have always knocked on wood when anybody said "carpal tunnel."
Has anybody out there had carpal tunnel surgery? And how did it turn out? BTW, I am 51 and have been an MT since 1984.
carpal tunnel syndrome...nm
yes, CTS, (carpal tunnel) sorry guys
Don't you worry about getting carpal tunnel
or worse yet a blood clot from all that sitting? I used to work those kinds of hours about 8 years ago when we were swamped and they constantly asked us to put in more time. Now, I am suffering the consequences. I was diagnosed with RSD, repetitive stress disorder. My forearms start to ache and my neck and shoulders burn like heck. I messed myself up good so now can only work about 4 hours straight and then have to take a big break. Sure, it's possibe, but it will take its toll eventually.
well at least im not alone. its probably sign of carpal tunnel,..
something to do with blood flow or something. its stinks and it hurts. i run my hands under hot burning water when i just cant take it any more.
Carpal tunnel--what works for me
1. Vitamin B6,50 mg a day. No more than 50 mg per day, as per my neurologist. (i.e. if you take more than that, you can burn the nerves and cause pain). I have taken B-6 50mg a day, more or less, for 10+ years.
2. Watch what program you are typing on. I have much less problem with Microsoft Word 97, no experience with newer versions of Word, BUT, WP5.1 and other programs like ChartScript really, really caused MAJOR CT symptoms after even a week. So, I'm sticking with Word for now.
3. Do the exercise where you really stretch the wrist back (up) a long way. Seems to help. You can search Google for other exercises.
The B6 and being on Word instead of Word Perfect have really helped me. If I was still on Word Perfect, I don't know if I'd still be doing this. Hope you get help. I had one hand operated on 16 years ago by an excellent orthopod, and have never had to have the other one done.
you are confusing RSI with carpal tunnel
I'm not having a problem with my wrists. It's all the tendons in my fingers. Funny thing, I posted the message after having gone to Best Buy and clickey-clacking through all their keyboards. They are all stiff too. I am looking for something that you can just barely touch the keys so my tendons aren't so strained.
Carpal tunnel surgery??
Has anyone had the surgery on both hands? I just got done with the left hand and now will have the right hand done next week. Just wondering if you are right handed if that hand takes longer to heal. My left healed enough for me to type in about three weeks. I am hoping my right does too. I want to change companies, but cannot really apply for any jobs or even test if I do not know when I can start.
Thanks for any help. I am new here and it has been a wealth of info for me.
right carpal tunnel surgery - sm
I had my right carpal tunnel surgery about 10 years ago, and I would say I was fairly well healed by three weeks, but I took the whole six weeks that I was allowed as my job paid for the leave. IF I had to have it done now, I would have to go back to work at three weeks, cannot afford to stay out for six weeks. I found that squeezing a small rubber ball really helped. Good luck.
Symptom of carpal tunnel
one of the first things some people experience is excruciating elbow pain.
Carpal Tunnel recovery
Hey All,
I have been putting off surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, and am wondering if any of you have had carpal tunnel surgery. How long was it before you could return to full-time transcription? How much releif did the surgery give? I also have developed a nodule on the inside of my right thumb,  right where it hits the spacebar and am having to hold my wrists up higher, like I am playing the piano, so I don't hit that spot on my thumb, and that makes my arms get numb faster than they usually do. What a mess!
I just can't keep going much longer, but I am scared of the financial loss of not working for any period of time
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
Tinnitus and carpal tunnel....
....plus a rotten and distrustful attitude toward the industry. Man, I'm so grateful to be old and retired!
Don't forget Carpal Tunnel Lane! nm
x
Wrist splints for carpal tunnel....
Go to your local drug store and purchase the best pair available and then wear them nightly faithfully. They help tremendously! (At least me, but everyone's different...) 
Carpal tunnel - know I saw post about vitamins...
or such that helped carpal tunnel without surgery or such. I am really having problems with my right wrist and it is majorly affecting my production. I do not want surgery or such, so was going to try vitamins or exercise first, any suggestions? Thanks.
Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
I have the above, and neurologist told me that at all times to keep my wrists turned outwards and not bent inwards. This, along with wrist splints, have helped me tremendously and I have no need for surgical intervention.
Duh! Should be carpal tunnel. I really should proof before I hit send. nm
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Burn-out, carpal tunnel, RSI, obesity,
blood clots in the legs, very high stress to produce fast and still 100% accuracy, years of training... we are waaaay underpaid.
those of you with hand pain, carpal tunnel, tendinitis
How long had you been in the business before the onset of the symptoms, how fast did they progress, and what steps did you take to keep the symptoms at bay, without surgery. Even those who have had surgery, you may reply whether or not it helped.
For me, my symptoms began after seven years, just aching. I then switched keyboards to split. That worked for a few months, then the joint pains in fingers. I typed softer, really concentrated on not BANGING the keys out. Those two things helped another six months. Last year about this time, pain again caught up. I got splints..started B6, magnesium, muscle relaxers, took sugar and pasta out of diet (most), and coffee, carpal tunnel exercises. If I deviate off this diet for even one day, I get the inflammation in the wrists. The night splint worked for exactly one year. Here we are, i'm now on the same boring diet, and have resorted to wearing the splints during the day as well. I believe this is my last year as an MT. I need to get a dif job and do this part time or find an editing job which seems impossible.
Could some of you share your time lines so I know how severe mine is in comparison? Also anything I have not tried, if you could share. Thanks. 
does workman's compensation cover us for carpal tunnel? nm
x
Isolation, backaches, carpal tunnel, eyestrain sm
neck pain, sensitivity to noise, others think you're "nuts" because you know so much; yet they call you first for every little thing. On the positive side, being able to perform a task not many can, even doctors! Pride in profession, even though in today's world the pay stinks! It used to pay well, sorry for those who have wasted 2 years of college on something that is going the way of the horse and buggy. Sorry to be so negative, it's sad and I get even madder if anyone calls us "a dying breed" - we are special people. Love it, hate to see what's happening all around me - worth the pain to me though, not sorry about any of it. No flaming please, its sad enough, bordering on depression but refuse to go there, I take a nice hot bath instead and hope for the best.
My left thumb is the only "finger" I don't use, carpal tunnel is bad enough already.nm
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And don't forget avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome! nm
......
so its not a common typing symptom? like carpal tunnel maybe? i am the only one here who suffers...
from chronic cold fingers? only while typing.
Probably something to do with carpal tunnel - The rare times mine acts up - sm
my thumbs get weird and trembly (?). I suspect that is your problem. Try changing your keyboard position, if you have it raised, make it flat, and visa versa. On my backup computer I have to have the keyboard raised but on my everyday PC I have it flat, and my CTS does not bother me now that I have my keyboards situated well for me.
...to prevent carpal tunnel and other repetative stress injury. nm
s
I'd just keep your eye on him since he has no other symptoms.
Mine was doing that about a month ago and nothing ever came of it. He must have just had a little cold or snuffed something up his nose. When we first got him, he was a mess with mattery eyes, ear mites, and blowing snot all over when he sneezed. Antibiotics and mitecide fixed him up, so we had to change his name from Snot to something else.
Have you had these symptoms before? sm
I could see a pinched nerve causing your arms and hands to tingle but not your face. You might want to consider see a doc for this as it could be something serious. I had these symptoms along with dizziness, headaches, and my muscles were twitching. I was freaked out that I had some neurological problem or MS. Turns out I had a "complicated migraine." But it's better to be safe than sorry!
Same symptoms here, but I'm 36
I think my hormones are out of whack. I feel extremely moody before and after menses and then feel depressed along with it. Then I get the panic attacks to where it feels like you are choking, then can't breath normal and heart raising.
I have those same symptoms, but I'm in my early 30s.
Have you had a tubal or come off BC pills? I was doing some research the other day and came up with hormonal imbalance, but not estrogen like they think. One of the posters on the Ask the Dr. board recommend progesterone cream for the sore hoohas. Read down the board and you'll see the posts. She said the doctors are mistreating it with BC pills, which only makes it worse.. I'm making an appt w/my doctor and asking for an endocrine evaluation to see how out of whack everything is. FWIW, my former doctor put me on BC pills with Prozac for my PMS. The physical symptoms got worse, while the Prozac made me sleep 12 hours a day, have really wild dreams, and lose all motivation to clean the house or work. I do not like that stuff.
There are there boys here, and believe me, males have their hormonal mood swings, too.
Been having those symptoms plus for 4 days now.
ears popping, congested, aching all over like the flu, headaches.
I did go to a hospital to visit a family member on Monday, so may have picked it up from there. I hate feeling miserable like this. I have 3 other family members who have had whatever it is, tho.
Your symptoms - my two cents
Hi - I want to try to put your mind at ease - I can't say for sure that you don't have MS but I can tell you that I had similar symptoms a few years ago, as did a friend of mine, both from extreme stress. You feel like you are dealing with the stress just fine, but your body still reacts. Try this - make sure you ae getting plenty of vitamin B-12, omega fatty acids (like flax oil), and take a supplement of the amino acid taurine. Also, are you sleeping well? Those can be symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation or lack of REM sleep. If so, you could try Valerian root capsules to help you relax and sleep better, or even Benadryl for sleep. I am not a doctor so of course I can't say for sure that this is the problem or that this will help, but it helped me - after I had two MRIs, tons of blood work, and a nerve conduction study - do yourself a favor and try the other route first! Especially the flax oil - especially if you are not a seafood eater!
I have had symptoms for over 30 years!
I take HRT because I have drenching night sweats and will have to get up and change clothing, bedding, etc., if I don't I do not sleep well at all if I am not on HRT. I had to have a medically necessary TAH/BSO at the age of 19 and have been on HRT since for the most part. I have tried weaning off and my symptoms always come back within a couple weeks, not to mention the emotional aspect. :( I would LOVE to not need them but it really messes with my quality of life. Those of you with mild symptoms or none after a few years are very lucky. :)
I am looking at having saliva testing done in hopes that it will work even better than the HRT I use but I have to wait until I can afford it.
I once saw your exact symptoms on a PBS
show about these families who were sent out west to live in cabins..."Pioneer House" I think was the name of it. Anywhoo, one lady, a nurse, thought she had a blood clot in her arm because it was going numb and cold. She was on the pill too and that worried her even more. So, she saw the doctor and it turned out to be bursitis, although she didn't notice any pain! Weird, huh? But yeah, you should have someone check it out just to be on the safe side. Hope it gets better soon!
Former CT warning symptoms SM
are totally completely gone with editing.
Maybe someone else will have a more specific answer for the keystrokes, but CONSIDERABLY fewer per minute. As the VR system gets better and better with a dictator, you may spend most of the time just sitting there reading along with squeakily speeded up dictation. Other dictators will have corrections on every line, though.
Part of reduced Keystrokes is expander, too. For instance, I do ".t" when I come on a lowercase "the" between what should be two sentences, which backs up, inserts a period, double spaces, deletes the small t and inserts a capital T, then jumps to the beginning of the next word for me.
When I started editing, though, my Expander wasn't nearly so well developed and I still made more money AND my worrisome carpal tunnel pains, which a number of times required me to take nonpaid leave while I rested my wrists, disappeared. So have the wrist braces I wore religiously every night to bed.
Could it be no HEENT symptoms?
I only say this because you say "no headache", etc.
not symptoms of bipolar disorder
actually, that just sounds like most of the spoiled kids I've met - society won't treat them the way mom did so they're trying to push the buttons they used to push w/mom. (Did she die or wise up?).
Yes, been sick for 2 weeks - same symptoms. nm
x
my girlfriend had those same symptoms and never made it out
of the emergency room! Many conditions have these symptoms so you did the right thing. You just can't risk it if it is cardiac. When my girlfriend went to the ER, she went in total arrest and they could not revive her. She was 50. On another note, it could be anything from gallbladder, gas, hiatal hernia (very common symptom for HH) or an esophageal spasm (I get those). You did the right thing and a full workup sounded like it was warranted.
I started getting symptoms after about 3-5 years. Nobody could believe it. sm
Fellow MTs told me it was too early, but nope. I had the tests, and had/have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Think it's anatomical for some. I have very tiny wrists, and I've read that sometimes that can be related.
Some 15-20 years later, I had endoscopic surgery on the right side. I wouldn't recommend endoscopic. If you get surgery, go open. I learned later that it's usually more effective. I still have symptoms in both wrists, can tell no improvement in the right hand.
Best things: Physical therapy was the very best, but Worker's Comp obviously wouldn't pay for that forever. Cat's Paw (exerciser) is cheap and mimics a lot of the stuff I was doing in PT.
SmartGlove when I work. Helps a lot.
Trackball - huge difference.
Shorthand - I have made it my hobby to learn to work smarter instead of harder. I studied the productivity sites and am constantly working on building my ShortHand file. It's rare that something isn't in it. I have gotten to where it shows a savings of about 50% keystrokes, which is something to think about. It's like working half a day and getting paid for a full day.
Rest. Get up at least once an hour, go to your dining room table, put your palm flat on the table and press down. You should feel a really good stretch. And then I take at least 5-10 minutes to break. Maybe not the best thing for productivity, but the best for longevity.
Those symptoms you described sound like some of mine, SM
I get photophobic, have numbness and tingling, nausea, you name it.
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