Not sure if I'm having the carpal tunnel surgery now...
I seem to be stuck in the middle of a battle between therapists and doctors who can't agree! One minute I'm being told I can go ahead, and another telling me I don't need it yet, my hands aren't bad enough...or, it's not worth the risk! I just think the therapists (one of them, anyway!) want to keep their jobs (and my money!) by getting me to continue with "therapy"! Oh well, I'm going to talk it over with my Neurologist next week when I see him...
...sigh...

My neuro & surgeon are in cahoots, I think. (Same hospital, offices on same floor)
He referred me to this surgeon.
Mrs D,
The benfotiamine is working, I think.
I still wear the brace at nite, but don't wake
to the numbness and tingling anymore.
I also can spend longer at the keyboard without having to take a rest.
The banjo playing..... well, we'll see about that - after a bit more.
No real difference, yet.

Well, it was quite a while ago now since I started this thread...and I still haven't had the Carpal Tunnel surgery yet!
But...now I am finally going ahead with it. My Neuro wanted me to have the tests every 6 months, and I just had tests on Wednesday, and they are slightly worse than the last time. This time my Neuro says I should go ahead with it...now I just have to wait for a date to be set...which might be a few months away yet! This doesn't mean I'm any less scared about the surgery than I was last year! lol
~Jaime~

I am sorry you have to face this and I hope it goes smooth. You are in my thoughts

I have finally got a date for my Carpal Tunnel surgery...after waiting almost 12 months! Yeah, I know it's been a long time...but that's how it goes in Aussie land! lol
Roll on Sept 1st!
~Jaime~

I am looking at having both a tendon transfer AND carpal tunnel release. I will need a cast for a month and a splint for a month....each hand....16 weeks of casts/splints.....I need it done soon, since my radial nerve is going on me.....ugh...I won't be typing very fast when this happens. I assume shortly.

I have horrible arthritis, and at this point, my thumb is moving, and bones are scraping on each other....I can't sleep at nite due to this. Sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do.

I do know that the 'odds' for successful carpal surgeries have improved over the last 20 years? But... I'm one for trying out all other alternatives BEFORE doing the 'deed'. So to say. I was diagnosed w/carpal on one arm/wrist after a one-day affair of trying to get a screen into a track w/a spline inserter! After 2 hours of trying? Numbish...after 4 hours...deadly numb. Definitely diagnosed w/carpal 3 months later and just offered some massage techniques for pain alleviation. Well they worked. But when I'd gotten bad PN in the hands and arms? It all went South! Just something to keep in mind, the 'odds' the doc's record of successful surgeries and so on.
Jaime? I truly hope that your surgery IS a SUCCESS! 's
Cy? I can't believe YOU will live contently w/a cast on your arm that long....
THIS IS GONNA BE ONE OF THOSE TIMES? THAT YOU CAN'T TRY! Learn to be a WIMP.
Hope to all etc! - j

Correction, this date is for a pre-op consultation on Sept. 1st. Hopefully the surgery is not long after!
I have resisted having surgery for years, and even put of getting tested for even longer! lol But now, I feel I need to get it done.
~Jaime~

Good luck Jaime with your surgery, I am from Queensland so I know what you mean about waiting times and I think Queensland Hospitals are worse than Victoria's.

Glad it is finally going to get done. I will probably be having surgery around the same time as you. We can recovery together! (Different surgeries, though..)