Carpal Tunnel realease survery or something else going on?

Boomslang
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I suspect that I have a bad case of carpal tunnel, still yet to see my Doctor for diagnosis and how to proceed forward.

My right hand, arm and shoulder is the worst. I wake up at night with a dead hand and pain the runs right up my arm.

A further observation is that when I turn my head to the right then tilt my head back the pain from my neck to my right shoulder and the muscles that are attached to the humerus along it's shaft, the Anteriorly coracobrachialis, deltoid, brachialis, brachioradialis or at least one of those, goes crazy....insane pain. 03h05 and I can't sleep. Just taken pain meds and waiting for them to kick in.

Now the left hand. Continuous numb fingers with the exception of the thumb. This occurs mostly at night.

Last year at Ironman Nat my right arm started shaking and I could not control it. It was like it had a mind of its own. That has not happened since.

Nerve damage, carpal tunnel, tennis elbos? Either way I'm really afraid as I need these hands to work and really can't sit through a lengthy recovery period.

Anyone one of you ever experience similar?

Thanks in advance.
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Markopolo400
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11/13/2020 6:03pm
Sounds like of like it might be carpal tunnel. Good news is there is a quick test to see if it is. They put electrodes in your arm/wrist/hand and zap you and record the results. My hands would go completely numb riding in 5min, and way worse every night while I was asleep, it would wake me up.

I had carpal tunnel in both hands from riding/weightlifting/health issues, and got both wrists operated on in February of this year. Crazy because they did it while I was awake, right in front of me. Each wrist took about 15mins. They did one, then took the stitches out 2 weeks later, then did the other one.

I was 100% about 8 weeks later. 10/10, definitely get it checked out and fixed if able.
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11/13/2020 6:15pm Edited Date/Time 11/13/2020 6:29pm
Pain meds generally don’t help nerve pathway pain. Sounds like some entrapment issues, and more entrapment when you make that movement. Some cervical impingement perhaps. I’d go see a specialist.

Medial nerve compression causes your thumb index middle and half of you’re ring finger to be numb. given your stated area of involvement I’m thinking it’s starting above the carpal tunnel....maybe some c7,c8, t1 involvement...... I really can’t know for certain. Would still advise a specialist consult.

This is not medical advice.
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Glen
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Rockaway, NJ US
11/13/2020 6:48pm
I had epicondylitis aka "tennis elbow". a pinched ulnar nerve. Had pain from my neck to the fingers. it would cause only my pinky and ring finger to go numb. Had surgery to re-locate the nerve, took 5 years to heal completely but it was worth it. Dr. said nerves heal at the rate of like a millimeter a month. only downside is hitting my funny bone hurts now instead of going numb. hope this helps
plowboy
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11/13/2020 7:40pm
Holy cow, I was gonna post up my story of misery but you beat me to it. 6 weeks ago today I was trying to mount an engine on a plane. The guys that installed the lifting fixture had it off a bit so some force was required to manipulate it into position. I got pretty physical with it and the result was a pinched nerve in my neck. Pain from my neck, under my shoulder blade, down the back of my arm, my forearm and hand. 3 chiropractic visits only increased the pain. Went to the doctor. Steroids, muscle relaxers, and Advil...no relief at all. Finally got in to see a knesiologist today. Long story short...he did some pressure massage on the nerve in my neck/shoulder (which hurt like Hell) but if felt better right away. The pain isn't gone but after one treatment I'd say it's down from 10 to a 6.

You said the pain is in your neck and shoulder....it might not be carpal tunnel but a pinched nerve in your neck. Check out a sports doctor. They seem to understand active people more.

The Shop

Markopolo400
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11/14/2020 10:22am
^^^ yeah Plowboy is right. When I was going through all this, the docs told me a pinched nerve can cause similar symptoms. The electrode test they did on me was to verify that it was in fact carpal tunnel, and not a pinched nerve.
Boomslang
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11/14/2020 9:46pm
Thanks for all the replies, I will be seeing a hand / elbo specialist and take it from there. Shoulder specialist and Neurologist are right next door so Im guessing between the lot it'll receive the correct diagnosis. Once again my biggest concern is if I need surgery the recovery period will do financial harm. Fortunately I have good medical cover, but the time off work will sting.

Thanks again gents. Ill keep ya all posted.
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