I had carpal tunnel release surgery on my left hand March of last year, and two months later, had my right hand done too. I'd had carpal tunnel syndrome for probably fifteen years. My left hand had gone from mild carpal tunnel to severe in just six months and my right hand was moderate to severe.

The surgery was successful, and for the past year I was enjoying not waking up with my hands and arms numb and painful. Until recently. For the last few months, about two to three times a week, I wake up and one of my hands will be totally numb, stiff, and very painful (how something can be numb and painful at the same time just baffles me!) Usually on the mornings when this happens, I will also wake up with a lot of pain in my left rib cage, both front and back. Sometimes it feels like an elephant has been dancing on my ribs!

I drop stuff all the time too. I'll think I'm holding an object, and next thing I know, I'm looking down in surprise at it on the ground. This happens with both hands and just started within the last few months too.

Has anyone else had carpal tunnel release surgery and later had a return of symptoms? Or do you think it's related to whatever this neurological problem is that I have (I haven't been diagnosed with MS yet, though my symptoms are identical and my doctors both feel that I have MS.) I have an appointment with the MS specialist next week, and I'll talk with her about this, but I wanted to ask you fine folks about it too.

Hugs,

Lisa