Help! Carpal tunnel syndrome!

SullyB · #1 11-23-2005, 09:37 AM

Hello all,

I have pain in my left hand starting just below the center of my palm extending about 3 inches past my wrist up my arm.

Someone at work said that it was carpal tunnel syndrome, but I haven't had it officially diagnosed. Does anyone else here have this condition? Any treatment options?

Thanks.

SullyB

**Vorago** · #2 11-23-2005, 01:38 PM

Go see a doctor

haujobb · #3 11-23-2005, 02:08 PM

I have tendenitis, I feel your pain

Trevorus · #4 11-23-2005, 02:13 PM

Tendonitis here as well. If I have to stretch my arm and turn something a lot (like a bolt or a tuning key) my arm really goes crazy. Take a break from whatever causes the pain. Go see your doctor, and they will do some tests. You may have to rethink the way you hold and play your bass.

haujobb · #5 11-23-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Tendonitis here as well. If I have to stretch my arm and turn something a lot (like a bolt or a tuning key) my arm really goes crazy. Take a break from whatever causes the pain. Go see your doctor, and they will do some tests. You may have to rethink the way you hold and play your bass.

Nothing is worse then when it takes several tries to start my car, and I can't play fooseball anymore

Trevorus · #6 11-23-2005, 02:16 PM

Have you had the little electrical zap test done to your arm?

haujobb · #7 11-23-2005, 02:18 PM

Not any tests, I have have EMP therapy and accupuncture.

Trevorus · #8 11-23-2005, 02:21 PM

Oh, when they test for CTS, the use little needle electrodes and listen for noise in the nerves that feed the arm/wrist. Then the put some other electrodes and zap your arm with what feels like 110 volts from a wall socket.

haujobb · #9 11-23-2005, 02:27 PM

That doesn't sound like much fun.

Trevorus · #10 11-23-2005, 02:35 PM

I'm an electrician. It wasn't so bad. I have been zapped enough times for it not to reall affect me.

haujobb · #11 11-23-2005, 11:09 PM

Anyways, to the original poster: If you do have a chronic injury like CTS or RSI, as opposed to an acute injury, be prepared for a LONG and HARD battle with pain should you choose to continue bass.

My suggestion is to see your doctor ASAP, get it diagnosed and start taking therapy if needed. Also, if you play with a pick, it's time to start using your fingers, if you start to feel pain while playing bass, take a break. And start doing wrist exercises regularly.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #12 11-24-2005, 05:38 AM

I thought I had CTS, but I was diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis, a.k.a "tennis elbow". The doctor told me that the key symptom to know if you have CTS is when you feel your wrist like itching (like lots of ants running inside) because of bad blood flow. After I told him I've never felt like that, he inmediately discarded the possibility of having carpal tunnel syndrome.

Turock · #13 11-24-2005, 06:32 AM

I have had surgery for CTS. The symptoms include numbness in the thumb, index finger, and bird finger; also aching and tingling of the whole arm, especially on waking in the morning. I did not have the symptoms described by SullyB. Go see a doctor.

Suckbird · #14 11-24-2005, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

The doctor told me that the key symptom to know if you have CTS is when you feel your wrist like itching (like lots of ants running inside) because of bad blood flow.

THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME!!!

It doesn't hurt but it feels like my nerves are going crazy, it feels really weird.. ! It's in my left btw...

I play multiple hours a day and now i wanna start practice atleast 6hours a day but now i might consider visiting a doctor..

bigbeefdog · #15 11-24-2005, 06:45 AM

Certainly not an "alternative", and you SHOULD see a doctor.... but there are some docs who believe vitamin B6 is helpful.

Since there's no downside to taking vitamins, I'd start with a bottle of B-complex (along with a doc appointment!).

Commreman · #16 11-24-2005, 07:10 AM

Tendonitis is my constant companion. I have it in my left forearm/elbow, in my right shoulder, and in my right wrist. It comes and goes. What works for me is rest. My chiropractor also dispenses ultrasound technology to me when I ask for it, and acupuncture as well. I'm on a vitamin regimen. Exercise is key to living with tendonitis as well, as it increases blood flow everywhere.

Break up your practice regimen into modules no longer than 45 minutes at a time. Take note of the position of your arms and wrist, noting any unnatural or stressful positions. Warm up slowly to get your blood flowing before you put any real stress on your hands/arms. Use ice and heat when it flares up! While I don't advocate drug use, Motrin is great for relieving any inflammation, and you can get it over the counter.

Tendonitis is manageable, but you have to be aware of the causes and make appropriate adjustments. Now that I'm (gasp) getting a little older, all of my old soccer/mountain biking/running/skiing injuries are coming back to haunt me as well, but that's another story. I always tell my kids that I would rather hurt myself doing something I love rather than spraining my thumb on the remote control.

haujobb · #17 11-24-2005, 07:21 AM

What kind of vitamins do you take? Do you find that they make a difference?

Commreman · #18 11-24-2005, 07:37 AM

I take e-1000, a B 100 complex, Vitamin C, CoQ10, flaxseed oil, Triple Strength Glucosamine/condroitin (a magic vitamin if there ever was one), and Soya Lecithin.

I originally got on the vitamin regimen when I was 25 and got pnuemonia (I'm 45 now). I have always been very active physically and mentally, and still can be accused justifiably of burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. The vitamins, combined with a good diet (no junk, lots of whole grains and fruit) and exercise have worked wonders. I've also done yoga on and off. That is some amazing stuff as well for flexibility, proper breathing, and just getting centered. Most important, I trust in the Lord for wisdom and healing. All I need to do is listen and take action.

You have only one body. You wouldn't put crap fuel in your car, so why put crap fuel in yourself? You wouldn't ignore maintenance on your car, so don't ignore it on your body either. Get with it!

bass349 · #19 11-24-2005, 09:16 AM

hi everyone.. thought i'd jump on the bandwagon.. another tendonitis sufferer here. left forearm/wrist.

just one thing that i'd like to add, since we're on the subject of vitamins. i got this one from one of the lecturers at the music institution i attend. it's called "ultra muscleze". it contains a whole heap of stuff.. but the key ingredient is an ultra high dose of magnesium.

the guy that recommended this stuff is a drummer. he's also a black belt, and right into fitness. and he's had his fair share of rsi issues.

well.. it's quite expensive, but i seriously do find that it helps. that constant ache goes away when i'm on it.

i've been getting treatment for the last year and a half with an occupational therapist - and i've had huge success. my OT is fantastic. she's a musician herself, so she understands that "rest" isn't really an option since i'm a working and studying musician. my arm has been on the gradual increase and i'm now at the point where i have learnt to manage and live with it. i'm aiming to get off the treatment by june next year. I'm also going to start focusing on upright again these holidays... (18 months ago i could barely hold down the strings on electric!)

don't give up hope!

all the best guys,
andy

ps. someone mentioned to go see your doctor.. good advise, but depends who you get. my GP gave me a prescription for some anti-inflammatries and told me to rest. well, i did that for a month with no improvement whatsoever. i was lucky that i was in an institution where they see rsi's way too often, and help wasn't too far away. also to the original poster, if you suspect something, get onto it STRAIGHT AWAY! and don't play at all until you've had it checked out thoroughly, otherwise you will end up doing even more damage. GOOD LUCK!!!

Monomer · #20 11-24-2005, 12:37 PM

I dont have RSI, CT or any of that stuff.

I was born with loose joints. I can dislocate all my fingers (including my thumb) and hyper-extend my legs inwards.

Now, back up to the wrist. I'm no docter so I so dont really know the exact names for the bones, so bear with me: the Bone connecting the wrist to the arm pops OUT OF SOCKET everytime I turn my wrist. It is beyond a simple discomfert. Stretching and the right vitamins helps, to a point. But after a good twenty mins. of hard practice, I'm out for the day.