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Right hand done, nothing but problems since and now left hand showing carpal tunnel getting worse

Posted , 7 users are following.

jacquis59
jacquis59

I had my right hand done on October 22 and I've had severe pillar pain that is now running up my arm ever since.  My a*hole surgeon hasn't offered any help with the pillar pain because he thinks I should just be grateful the carpal tunnel pain is gone.  I'm desperate now to find ways to stop progression in my left hand which is getting worse since I'm now using that hand only because my right hand is becoming more and more useless by the day.

Has anyone successfully been able to avoid surgery and get rid of the carpal tunnel pain?  I can't go through this surgery again or I will end up without any ability to use my hands at all.

HELP, please....crying...

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • hillary67167
    hillary67167 jacquis59

    Posted

    Hi Jacqui, sorry to hear of your problems.  Are you having physio on your right hand?  I've just started and it's making a big difference - your surgeon should definitely have suggested it.  You need to keep using your right hand even though it's painful as you will only get worse problems otherwise.  That's why the physio is so important.  I too will need an op on my left hand.  I think once the nerve is compressed there is no other solution other than surgery - injections, splints only help for a short time.  I have heard that endoscopic surgery causes less problems post operatively.  I will be looking into that possibility but I won't be doing anything until my right hand is fully healed.  My physio says that if I do the exercises she expects in 4 - 6 weeks there should be a big improvement.  Good luck.
    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 hillary67167

      Posted

      Thank you, Hillary.  The surgeon refused to prescribe physio so I'm on my own.  Every exercise and pain solution I've used has been found on my own in my research.  What exercises are you doing? I'm looking for anything that may help and I'm willing to try anything.
    • hillary67167
      hillary67167 jacquis59

      Posted

      That's awful - I can't understand why they haven't suggested physio.  I started on Wed and it's already helped.  She used ultrasound which obviously I can't do at home but also massaged the area and gave me exercises to do for 5 mins every 2 hours.  Roll the affected area over a firm ball or plastic bottle (length ways and sideways) - it is painful and puts your teeth on edge but start with a couple of minutes and build up.  Also gently rub your hand on your trousers, jumper, desk - anything to desensitive the nerves.  And massage with cream.  Also if you have an electric toothbrush you can use the back of the vibrating brush on the area - that really does put my teeth on edge!  But it does help.  The worst thing to do is to protect the area and not let it touch anything.  No pain without gain I guess.  She has said it will probably only take 4 - 6 weeks if I keep up the physio.  Hope that helps!  All the best.
    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 hillary67167

      Posted

      Thank you so much, Hillary!  I will try those things and I hope my GP will be able to prescribe physio that wiill be covered by insurance since he wasn't the treating doctor for this.  Insurance can be the tricky part.  All I know is that I want nothing more to do with the surgeon who refuses to acknowledge or help with the pillar pain. The quality of my life is definitely changed and I'm not happy at all.
  • ali79972
    ali79972 jacquis59

    Posted

    You may find this strange but I have been told that Qi Gong can help with carpel tunnel and I wish I had done this before surgery. I am doing it now though it takes awhile to get it right.  I won't be getting my other hand done even though it's not great. Also injections can help but not always long term though you have probably tried this. Hope you feel better soon. Ali 
    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 ali79972

      Posted

      Hi Ali, and thank you for responding.  My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture so I'm looking for Groupons or some deal I can get on it because I'm thinking that may really help.  Injections are cortisone, correct? In my experience (with my knee) cortisone actually creates more problems that end up resulting in my arthritis getting so bad that I do need surgery or further treatment of some kind so it's not something I'm open to.  Thanks for the well wishes.  I'll continue my research and I have an appt with my GP on Wednesday and will also see what he can find as far as options go.
  • CountessNina
    CountessNina jacquis59

    Posted

    Hello Jacquis,

    Your experience with this surgery just makes me angry at the entire medical system.  You should not have to deal with this with no help except from outsiders like you find here!  Are you in Canada or the US?  

    But putting that aside, I will give you my experience and something i read which I hope will be helpful.  I had carpel tunnel pain in my right arm for more than 30 years before I had surgery.  I had carpel tunnel syndrome before it was discovered!  I'm not joking.  One doctor I went to back then brushed me off with "women have circulation problems" and then left the room!  Of course it had nothing to do with circulation.  

    I tried acupuncture until the acupunturist told me it wouldn't work.  I tried physical therapy which I'm convinced made it worse.  Of course I wore a splint.  Nothing worked, although the splint was helpful to offer relief.

    By the time I went to see a neurologist, both of my arms were involved and the right one (my dominant hand) showed serious nerve damage.  The neurologist sent me to a hand surgeon and I had the procedure two weeks later.  But at least here in Seattle the surgery is a 15 minute endoscopic procedure under full anesthesia.  They used to do the open procedure but I don't see it here now.   Of course I am using only anecdotal information.  Anyone who tells you to be happy the carpel tunnel pain is gone should have his hand immediately cut open!

    I can't express strongly enough how you should seek out an experienced surgeon who does the endoscopic surgery.  My hand was heavily bandaged and I was sent home with instructions to keep it clean.  I wasn't very good about keeping it clean because it didn't hurt and I found myself doing things like gardening, lifting mattresses to make beds, etc.  Two weeks out the bandage and single stich were removed and I was good to go.  There is no visible scar.

    If your insurance for some reason doesn't cover this type of procedure, fight them! Get together data showing how much cheaper this surgery is and how much less followup is needed.  And if you still can't get them to pay, find a way to pay for it yourself.  From all the stories I've read here, and from people here at home, I would never subject myself to the open surgery when there exists an excellent substitute.

    One more thing that might be helpful for your feelings of hopelessness.  I know two women who had the full open surgery on both hands many years ago.  I don't know how much trouble it was, or how much pain, but I do know that years later they each have two pain-free hands that are fully functional.

    Here is something I read that I think might be useful:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18427427

    Take care,

    Harriet

    • Rederali1221
      Rederali1221 CountessNina

      Posted

      Hi ContessNina, I had my surgeries in both hands with endoscopy procedure. The pain is gone, and no need physical therapy, BUT I lost a lot of strength in both hands. I can't even hold a gallon of water with my right hand. My life is not the same, as I can't do things I used to do. Sometimes when I drive my car, my hands hurts a lot.

      I talked to my surgeon and he always say the same. 'It takes 6 months for full recover ". My left hand was due on April and my right hand on July. I see no improvement on my left hand, and has been pass 7 months. 

      The carpal tunnel pain is gone, but the side effects remains.  One day I woke up thinking to cut my hands. I'm taking my depression pill every s day, and I try not to think about my hands, it's impossible.

      Good luck.!😊

  • ejj11251955
    ejj11251955 jacquis59

    Posted

    I would not despair yet; it's still not that long since your surgery. Mine was October 9th and I had the open version. I've had about 2.5 weeks of physio and while sometimes uncomfortable, it does help. Gently press your wrist forwardand back to restore flexibility. Touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of each finger. Practice the motions you generally do--opening a door or a jar, shifting a car. Use a weight of a pound to start with and move your wrist various ways, including making a pouring movement. Start and end your workout with heat and massage the scar area. Hope this all helps! 
    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 ejj11251955

      Posted

      Thank you, ejj!  You've given me much more help and advice than the surgeon has.  I appreciate the help!
  • andrea34800
    andrea34800 jacquis59

    Posted

    Hi Jacquis, 

    i had my right hand operated on 23rd April2014, i have regional pain sydrome in it. And it still hurts bad had physio and my hand getting stronger but the pain is unreal now weather is getting cold, its also started going up my arm, i at docs tonight . My specailist want to operate on my left hand asap, but i so worried it going to turn out like my right hand has.  It seems to ease off if i wear gloves 24/7 :-( and put those heat pads in my gloves . I am so fed up with iit dont know what to do for the best .

    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 andrea34800

      Posted

      I am so sorry, Andrea.  I was afraid that I was starting to see RPS, but not sure.  My surgeon wants to do my left hand too, but that's not happening. I've gotten some good books on natural methods of relieving carpal tunnel and I'm going to go to any lengths I can to avoid another surgery.  I hope you find relief soon.  I know it's difficult but try to keep some hope and keep fighting.  The pain is unreal, and so much worse when cold.  Have you tried putting hand warmers inside your gloves?  You may have to wear mittens to make them fit inside and that way it may give you some relief.
    • CountessNina
      CountessNina andrea34800

      Posted

      I have tried acupuncture, physical therapy and wearing a splint 24/7 instead of just at night.  Nothing helps.  Back then, even doctors told me to avoid the surgery!  But then I started having serious nerve damage, and with endoscopic surgery now available, it was recommended. Find an experienced endoscopic hand surgeon and you won't have to suffer.  I'm sorry I have no help for your current problem.  I do want to tell you that I have two acquaintances who had the open surgery years ago, and they are absolutely fine now.  So maybe you can look forward to that.
  • andrea34800
    andrea34800 jacquis59

    Posted

    Hi,

    thank u, yes i put warm ears in My gloves. It goes off till they go cold. I carnt believe all bad things i hear just thought it was me 

    thank u Jacquis and good luck, let us know hiw u go on please xxxxx

    • jacquis59
      jacquis59 andrea34800

      Posted

      I thought it was just me until I found this site, too.  It was worse yet that my surgeon refused to acknowledge the pilllar pain even existed.  He pretty much said I was making too much of it.  I fired him this week choosing not to go to my follow up appt scheduled for what will be two months after my surgery.  My GP agreed with me that it was pointless to go since the surgeon hasn't really given me any help.

      You're not alone.  This is a great support group here and we will take care of each other. I'll post if I come across anything new that helps. 

      We will stay in touch. smile xoxo

    • andrea34800
      andrea34800 jacquis59

      Posted

      Your so right Jacquis, thank u soo much. 

      I feel loads better cos i not alone no more 😊😊😊😊😊😊👍👍xxxxxxx

       

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