too busy to lose time!

[Mikey]

I've not been around much the last month or so, works been a bit hectic and the lottie too. To add to the problem I've discovered I have carpal tunnel in both hands. Diagnosed today...

I've done a load of google research as you'd expect in this day and age, but have any of you had this surgery done. The doc has booked a slot to operate on the 29th after they've confirmed it with a nerve test next week, and operate on both hands at the same time to minimise my work down time (self employed). Its half term that week so the OH will be my hands for a week, within reason!

Do you peeps have any first hand experience (excuse the pun).

[Alison]

I don't but my friend has had both wrist done, one at a time, giving her time to recover in between. She found it quite painful at the time and rather difficult to start with although her main problem was dealing with a small child who needed lifting etc to change and her OH being at work. I think it took a few weeks to properly recover and be able to do normal things with out difficulty but this was about 6 years ago so things may have changed. Are you sure you need an op though? My MIL suffers a bit and sorts hers out by wearing special supports overnight and a work colleague has had injections which seem to have sorted it too.

[chris]

My neighbour has had it done, but she decided to have one done then the other - as she didn't want to put up with her OH's cooking

She has a bad habit of describing all her ops in gory detail too.

[Mikey]

I'm tapping away on my phone, but I have pins and needles constantly during the day, and its a race as to whether I can get to sleep before my hands at night. Doc says due to my line of work it will continue to deteriorate, if I don't.

[KittyColdNose]

My MIL had it done and is fine. Took her a bit longer than expected ti recover, but there are other factors there.

My boss's oh also had his done recently and was absolutely fine after. He works off shore on rigs and was back at work after minimal recovery time.

[veggiechicken]

Could have sworn I'd shown you my scar, Mikey!! Had my right wrist done 25+ years ago. The technique has probably improved since then!!. Two hands at once may be difficult for you. Will your OH wipe your bum? Check with the surgeon how much mobility you'll have after the op. Will you be able to drive?
My hand was strapped up for a week or so with lots of stitches across the palm and the wrist. Had to wear a protective wrist brace thingy for some weeks afterwards. I remember trying to plant seedlings using my left hand only - funny the things you remember!
I'm sure they've improved the op now - it was a bit primitive when mine was done Opt for local anaesthetic too - I did

[Veggielot]

I believe it is an operation that has a good success rate, good luck and hope you are back to your lottie soon.

[Olorin2001]

Repetitive strain injury, RSI, Carpal tunnel syndrome - wikipedia covers this and has photos of the operation, but more importantly give the cause, treatments and long term prognosis for this complaint.
PAIN is natures way of telling you to stop, or at least to change the way you do something.
For years I worked on a pantograph die sinking machine and ignored the pain because I was a MAN and enjoyed what I was doing. Now CAD/CAM does the hard work, quicker, and the work is still enjoyable. But I suffer from the effect of years of vibration for 50 hours a week.
Personally I didn't take the operation, I wore the splints for years and eventually found a natural cure/ treatment - but I have a negative attitude to doctors and such for personal reasons. But do check out wikipedia before you go under the knife, and if you only have a local you can watch what they doing to you.

[veggiechicken]

Just checked out the op and there is a keyhole surgery option now which sounds a lot less traumatic then the umpteen stitches I had. It was a success too as I haven't had any real problems with my hand since

[Mikey]

It will be local, but I won't be watching. Ive seen enough images on tinternet without seeing my insides aswell.

Missus said not on your nelly vc., she's going to starve me instead!!!!

[veggiechicken]

I didn't watch either, but they did give me headphones and a choice of music (UHW).
You'd better start practising the no-hands, wiping the bottom technique now, so that you're ready.

[Mikey]

Typing in a couple of days driving in a week back to active duty in a fortnight. Heavy activity as I feel able afterwards. Its the possible loss of grip strength that bothers me, I carry a lot of heavy awkward items in work, like kitchen worktops or shower screens. I wouldnt want to lose that ability.

[Mikey]

[QUOTE=veggiechicken;11285
You'd better start practising the no-hands, wiping the bottom technique now, so that you're ready. [/QUOTE]

I thought I'd go with the dogs wriggle across the carpet method.

[veggiechicken]

If its keyhole, I can't comment, but if its open surgery, forget carrying anything as you can't flex your wrist until the stitches are out and its sore for some time afterwards so you don't want to put pressure on the wound. Time to exercise your prerogative and give some orders

[veggiechicken]

I thought I'd go with the dogs wriggle across the carpet method.

Don't try it on a tiled floor or you'll skid