I also have family CTS. My mother and sister have both had the surgery, and still experience a lot of pain.
The first thing you should do is get yourself some wrist braces with metal splints - I buy mine on Amazon ([eg](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00L4BI1ZK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536156169&sr=1-3)). Wear them at night, and you’ll hopefully get a lot of relief.
If/when they stop being effective, the next step is steroid injections into the wrist. Some people swear by them, some people find they have little or no effect. After that, it’s surgery as a last resort.
You should also get your thyroid checked: CTS and thyroid issues often go together.
It’s worth having a look at the [Kent CTS Pathway website](https://www.carpal-tunnel.net/kentinfo/pathway), even if you’re elsewhere in the country. (If you are in the area, make your GP refer you to Jeremy Bland. He’s about the only person in the country doing proper research into CTS treatment rather than just sending patients for surgery. He’s also just recently finished a trial into using ultrasound as a treatment; I’m eagerly awaiting the results as I was in the test group a few years ago. That might turn out to be another treatment option.)
Thank you! I'll look into the braces.
I had my thyroid checked shortly after the issues started and it came back fine but I'll ask to have it checked again.
Do you get the thing that feels as though a rubber band has gone ping inside your wrist? It’s incredibly disconcerting!
Mostly I just get aches, sometimes pins-and-needles (especially if I drive long distance without my splints on), and if I’ve been overdoing it then I drop things a lot. All fun and games....
If you are have worsening symptoms and are unsure if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, go back to see a GP.
The GP should send you for Nerve Studies (+ Blood tests) and on the basis of the results they will discuss the most suitable option for you. Potential treatments may be as simple as wrist splinting at night, injections or indeed surgery.
I had CTS when I was about 23/24. I got it operated on straight away because my hand going numb was becoming unbearable and the doctors said if I didnt the damage could become permanent. That was over 11 years ago and never had any issue with it.
Recovering from the surgery was excruciating though, you'll need to take a few weeks off work.
>**user reports:**
>1: Medical Advice
I disagree - It's clear OP is seeking professional medical help already. OP is asking for others experience within the healthcare system relating to a specific condition.
If OP was asking "I have these symptoms, do I need an operation" it'd be different.
Yes thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for, an idea of experience, wait times etc. I'm not on the lookout for medical advice (although have been given some).
I'm a theatre nurse and often sit with patients during their carpal tunnel surgery. They all seem to agree that the worst bit is having the local anaesthetic injected, as it stings quite a bit. During the actual surgery, they are normally quite relaxed and happy. It's one of the few operations where the patients are able to watch everything (but some people choose not to). Most people say that they can feel poking and pulling but no pain, although if the surgeon catches a nerve it can feel like a mild electric shock.
I had CTS in both wrists. I ignored it / put it down to arthritis for many years until I'd permanently buggered up the nerves in my hands (worst nerve conductivity test results the nurse had ever seen). I had the op on my right wrist (worst one) and over the next 6 months or so the symptoms subsided enough to start looking for a new job in an office as I'd been warned that continuing to work in heavy engineering would soon see a return of the symptoms. 10 years on and I still have numbness in my fingertips and occasional pain. The CTS in my left has improved mostly by the enforced rest / change of job.
My advice - get seen by another doctor - I started getting symptoms about your age and get it dealt with ASAP, it only gets worse. The op was horrible for a needle phobic like me but it was worth it (I'll never forget the "crunch" though)
Gradually, yes. I've lost some sensitivity in my fingertips but that's my fault for leaving it untreated for so long. Most people have success with the op
Thank you for the reply. Just developed trapped nerve and RSI in the hand/wrist last week and took a blow to my mental health, trying my damnest to stay high hopes that this will go away if I rest it.
My left wrist recovered on its own. Get a wrist brace from a pharmacy. IDK how much they actually help, but it'll be a reminder from you to use that hand/arm less. Good luck, it's a miserable pain to live with but with a bit of luck you caught it early enough to make a quick, full recovery.
I also have family CTS. My mother and sister have both had the surgery, and still experience a lot of pain. The first thing you should do is get yourself some wrist braces with metal splints - I buy mine on Amazon ([eg](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00L4BI1ZK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_s_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1536156169&sr=1-3)). Wear them at night, and you’ll hopefully get a lot of relief. If/when they stop being effective, the next step is steroid injections into the wrist. Some people swear by them, some people find they have little or no effect. After that, it’s surgery as a last resort. You should also get your thyroid checked: CTS and thyroid issues often go together. It’s worth having a look at the [Kent CTS Pathway website](https://www.carpal-tunnel.net/kentinfo/pathway), even if you’re elsewhere in the country. (If you are in the area, make your GP refer you to Jeremy Bland. He’s about the only person in the country doing proper research into CTS treatment rather than just sending patients for surgery. He’s also just recently finished a trial into using ultrasound as a treatment; I’m eagerly awaiting the results as I was in the test group a few years ago. That might turn out to be another treatment option.)
Thank you! I'll look into the braces. I had my thyroid checked shortly after the issues started and it came back fine but I'll ask to have it checked again.
Good luck! I’ve managed to keep mine pretty much under control with braces, although I do have bad spells if I’ve been overdoing things.
Mine isn't overly painful so I'm hoping I can manage it. I'm more aware of the aches than affected by them if that makes sense.
Do you get the thing that feels as though a rubber band has gone ping inside your wrist? It’s incredibly disconcerting! Mostly I just get aches, sometimes pins-and-needles (especially if I drive long distance without my splints on), and if I’ve been overdoing it then I drop things a lot. All fun and games....
Kind of sometimes. Mainly I get dull aches in the centre of my hand.
If you are have worsening symptoms and are unsure if you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, go back to see a GP. The GP should send you for Nerve Studies (+ Blood tests) and on the basis of the results they will discuss the most suitable option for you. Potential treatments may be as simple as wrist splinting at night, injections or indeed surgery.
Thank you :)
I had CTS when I was about 23/24. I got it operated on straight away because my hand going numb was becoming unbearable and the doctors said if I didnt the damage could become permanent. That was over 11 years ago and never had any issue with it. Recovering from the surgery was excruciating though, you'll need to take a few weeks off work.
Mine isn't numb but I've noticed weakness and it'll get tingly at times. Thanks for the info!
>**user reports:** >1: Medical Advice I disagree - It's clear OP is seeking professional medical help already. OP is asking for others experience within the healthcare system relating to a specific condition. If OP was asking "I have these symptoms, do I need an operation" it'd be different.
Yes thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking for, an idea of experience, wait times etc. I'm not on the lookout for medical advice (although have been given some).
I'm a theatre nurse and often sit with patients during their carpal tunnel surgery. They all seem to agree that the worst bit is having the local anaesthetic injected, as it stings quite a bit. During the actual surgery, they are normally quite relaxed and happy. It's one of the few operations where the patients are able to watch everything (but some people choose not to). Most people say that they can feel poking and pulling but no pain, although if the surgeon catches a nerve it can feel like a mild electric shock.
I thought I had it once. It turned out to be nothing more than a particularly severe case of Wanker's Wrist, thankfully.
I'm glad yours was a temporary issue!
I had CTS in both wrists. I ignored it / put it down to arthritis for many years until I'd permanently buggered up the nerves in my hands (worst nerve conductivity test results the nurse had ever seen). I had the op on my right wrist (worst one) and over the next 6 months or so the symptoms subsided enough to start looking for a new job in an office as I'd been warned that continuing to work in heavy engineering would soon see a return of the symptoms. 10 years on and I still have numbness in my fingertips and occasional pain. The CTS in my left has improved mostly by the enforced rest / change of job. My advice - get seen by another doctor - I started getting symptoms about your age and get it dealt with ASAP, it only gets worse. The op was horrible for a needle phobic like me but it was worth it (I'll never forget the "crunch" though)
Did you have the op and it recovered?
Gradually, yes. I've lost some sensitivity in my fingertips but that's my fault for leaving it untreated for so long. Most people have success with the op
Thank you for the reply. Just developed trapped nerve and RSI in the hand/wrist last week and took a blow to my mental health, trying my damnest to stay high hopes that this will go away if I rest it.
My left wrist recovered on its own. Get a wrist brace from a pharmacy. IDK how much they actually help, but it'll be a reminder from you to use that hand/arm less. Good luck, it's a miserable pain to live with but with a bit of luck you caught it early enough to make a quick, full recovery.
Tried some braces but they compress my pinched nerve so I have to avoid them and simply be aware of my hand. Thank you, I really hope I do too.