You play string instruments...and this is hard on the hands. My son is already having troubles.

I would suggest you try the Benfotiamine... Since it came down drastically in price I can now afford it. (SAMe takes up alot of my budget in that respect).

It has been wonderful for me. I have always needed the thiamine. This is working better. I can have "pressure" palsies at times sleeping, and they have gone away. For best results I use 300mg a day. I've tried going back to 150, but over time I get some arm falling asleep at night.

You can try wearing the carpal tunnel braces at night when you are sleeping.
They work for me. When I garden alot, or use tools/sanding etc I get little flare ups and use the braces at night. They keep your hands in a position that does not pinch the nerve, so it can heal etc.

I have problems with salt, MSG etc too.

I had the "cortisone' shot during my pregnancy, on my right hand only. Since I was so impaired I could not function. It worked, and after I delivered I was good enough to go without further surgery thoughts about 3 days after my C-section. If I do any heavy work with rock, garden, or twisting of hands, I will get a flare up.

I think surgery should be a last resort. While it seems more accurate now with the lasers they use, it still can go wrong...and I am basically a surgical chicken!!