I would definitely question your doc about why they did not do nerve conduction tests. That is the standard diagnostic test (along with physical exam tests such as the Tinel sign, Phalen test and pinprick sensory testing).
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Carpal tunnel syndrome, really?
- Thread starter Raman
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I would definitely question your doc about why they did not do nerve conduction tests. That is the standard diagnostic test (along with physical exam tests such as the Tinel sign, Phalen test and pinprick sensory testing).
It is hard to make a diagnosis by forum. Your symptoms are not typical of carpal tunnel syndrome. It's possible your EMG is consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome, but clinically you are not symptomatic.
Think someone getting an x-ray for a hand mass that shows a fracture in a different area, but the bones are stable. You might still benefit from wearing a brace to rest the the nerve and let it recover, but you probably also still don't have a reason for your cramping hands.
Common things tend to get checked (electrolytes, thyroid function, etc) and if everything comes back normal, your diagnosis might just be cramps. And just because your potassium or magnesium was fine when they checked it doesn't mean that it always is.
Maybe keep a journal that documents what you eat and drink, when you sleep, what activities you are doing, and the timing of your spasms including which fingers are affected and any other symptoms you have when they happen. Might help if you realized that days when you drank coffee you did cramp for example.
Think someone getting an x-ray for a hand mass that shows a fracture in a different area, but the bones are stable. You might still benefit from wearing a brace to rest the the nerve and let it recover, but you probably also still don't have a reason for your cramping hands.
Common things tend to get checked (electrolytes, thyroid function, etc) and if everything comes back normal, your diagnosis might just be cramps. And just because your potassium or magnesium was fine when they checked it doesn't mean that it always is.
Maybe keep a journal that documents what you eat and drink, when you sleep, what activities you are doing, and the timing of your spasms including which fingers are affected and any other symptoms you have when they happen. Might help if you realized that days when you drank coffee you did cramp for example.
Sounds like trigger finger but I’ve never heard of anyone having it in their whole hand. Hope you find a solution soon. I would ask for a brain mri too since you’re already seeing a neuro. The body is weird. I have a nerve issue left side, no know source, doctors have not been able to find out what’s wrong. Gave up on Cause and we just treat the symptoms. I got 4 opinions with no diagnosis. Frustrating
Unfortunately, I personally have had more luck with self-diagnosis than I have with doctors. I was having bad acid reflux, neither of the doctors I saw even suggested it could be a hiatal hernia. However, once I discovered on my own that it could be a hiatal hernia and found videos on YouTube showing how to adjust it myself....presto! Relief!
Be very cautious with potassium; read up on it and recognize that most supplements you can purchase over the counter will give you very little potassium because it can be toxic. I found a supplement that I wanted to try for similar reasons that was a bit stronger than the usual, but it gave me terrible stomach pain and I could not take it more than a couple of times, even with food it was too much, felt like it was burning a hole right through my stomach.
I don't have anything to add; I have very mild CTS in my right hand that I keep under control with a wrist brace when it begins to act up; I found a brace that gives me enough finger freedom to continue to play the bass while keeping my wrist immobile, so I can still practice. But my symptoms are mainly pain in the wrist and nothing like what you describe. I did get spasms in fingers on my left hand (the reason I tried the potassium), but that was trigger finger and unrelated to the CTS. Good luck to you!
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Wow, that sounds intense. I guess my first thought when someone needs potassium is: eat a banana!
(Not to discredit any reason for supplements or anyone’s personal experience with them)
I know, I know. I'm one of those weird people that hates bananas!
Thanks. And you're right.
Just to reassure you: my wife happens to be a neuroscientist.
She talked to me about the possibility of going into an epileptic seizure from too much potassium as soon as I mentioned it. 
Unfortunately, she's not at all specialized in cramping... She did research and is helping me diagnose it too though.
If you completely replace water with scotch, I guarantee your internal organs are as dehydrated as raisins by now!I don’t drink much during the day either and oh you mean water, not scotch.
I had it for years. Did all the stuff, exercises, rest, braces, drugs. Folks told me surgery doesn't always work and can make it worse. I had it in both hands. When they ran the nerve test, trying to get current to flow through the nerves, no go. I eventually had the surgery, one after the other. It was the best thing I could have done. All the numbness and yet pain gone. I even played better after.
just passing on well wishes for what you are dealing with raman..Cheers!
I was just going to ask about his water intake. I know if I dehydrate which happens a lot I get the same cramps. If I drink a lots of water Im good to go again.
I know someone who had a procedure done last year to relieve his CTS. The doctor sliced a small ligament on the wrist area that tightens around the wrist and causes the symptoms. It was an outpatient surgery and he was back to work the following day (a desk job). He hasn't had any problems since. I'm not a doctor (and I don't play one on TV) but this may be worth looking in to. I hope this situation gets resolved soon for you. Take care.
It was brought up already, but to mee it sounds exactly like trigger finger, only a bit worse. Both my mother, father and grandmother have the exact same thing where they need to use their other hand to unroll the locked fingers, mostly the ring and middle fingers if I recall correctly. It seems to be caused by some kind of inflammation in the palm of the hand(s) causing the tendons or muscles that control the fingers to stick together.
For my mother every now and then it plays up and she goes to her doc for an object of some sort. After that it slowly loosens up again and she's good for another year or so. My father had a small surgery a few years back to seperate the sticky muscles/tendons by cutting them loose. That helped for a few years but eventually it came back.
Sorry I don't have more details, it's been a while since we discussed it. If this sounds like what you're experiencing, PM me for some resources.
For my mother every now and then it plays up and she goes to her doc for an object of some sort. After that it slowly loosens up again and she's good for another year or so. My father had a small surgery a few years back to seperate the sticky muscles/tendons by cutting them loose. That helped for a few years but eventually it came back.
Sorry I don't have more details, it's been a while since we discussed it. If this sounds like what you're experiencing, PM me for some resources.
Yep. Staying hydrated with water and sports drinks will help treat the cramps themselves, and it's one of the most inexpensive things you can do.
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