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- Repetitive Strain Injury (https://www.neurotalk.org/repetitive-strain-injury/)

- - Wrist braces (https://www.neurotalk.org/repetitive-strain-injury/76077-wrist-braces.html)

Thanks Jo.

I diagnosed myself as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but maybe Tennis Elbow fits as well, even though my elbow doesn't hurt. :)

I'm fine during the day. It's the night time that hurts and when all my fingers go numb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koala77 (Post 458459)

I'm not sure if I have TOS or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome because the symptoms I have fit both.

I have severe hand and wrist pain at night, as well as numbness of my hand and all my fingers, with the numb feeling exending up past my elbow.

The only way I've been able to get enough relief to be able to sleep at night, is to wear a wrist strap that looks exactly the same as the one in your picture.

Mine is a bowler's wrist strap!

Before Multiple Sclerosis I was a champion Ten Pin Bowler, and the wrist strap is something we bowlers use from time to time. When my wrist, hand and fingers started playing up, I dragged out my old bowling wrist support and started wearing it to bed. It finally gave me enough support to allow me to sleep at night. I no longer get woken in the middle of the night with hand and wrist pain.

The photo that you provided looks almost identical to the one I have. In fact, I think the only difference is in the strap that holds the support onto the wrist.

I don't remember what I paid for mine, but it might be an idea for others to compare the price at their local bowling alley (or sports store) with that at your local pharmacy before outlaying the cost for a support like this.

I wonder Koala if you have Salonpas down there? These patches come from Japan, and are all over your part of the world. I find them really helpful for wrist pain, finger pain etc.

They are not expensive and really work. I've had carpal tunnel for over 30 yrs. Mine improved mostly after I was given thyroid hormone. But I also have arthritis etc and the Salonpas work like a charm:
http://salonpas.us/
There are many types, I find the ones with the methyl salicylate in them to be the best. They can be cut to fit also.

Only restriction is a warning about aspirin for those allergic.

Thank you mrsD. The name's not familiar but we may have them under a different trade name, so I'll check them out next time I'm at the pharmacy.

Koala- Jo is wise :). The ulnar nerve is causing your last 2 fingers' problems. You said you diagnosed yourself and now I'm curious about your CT history... Feel free to share :D

I hope you and your loved ones are safe from the fires raging in Australia :hug: my heart goes out to your country during this time.

Thank you Thursday, for your kind words to myself and fellow Australians.

Regarding my symptoms, I'll just list them for you.
*pain in my wrist
*numbness and/or pain in my hand
*numbness in all fingers but worse in last 3

Those ones are all worse at night, and have eased some since I started wearing a brace to bed.

*tingling or pins & needles in lower arm from fingers up to elbow
*Brachial Plexus pain especially on pressure
*shoulder pain
*occassional aching in upper arm

Now you see why I said I have symptoms fitting other conditions as well as CTS, although I think that the most likely diagnosis.

I'm not interested in seeking medical assistance for it at this stage. Like always, I'll probably wait until I can't stand the discomfort any more. :o

AAAGHH!!! The honeymoon is over :( I have terrible eczema rashes on both hands from the braces!!! I'm so sad. ... And itchy:eek:
Does anyone have suggestions on how to heal up the eczema? I'm gonna go back to the old braces while I'm waiting but I would like to continue with the new braces eventually. Should I wear thin cotton gloves with them?? :confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by thursday (Post 458450)

Hi, I just got new braces for night splinting and I am super happy with them so I wanted to share the recommendation :D
I was having problems with my old ones cutting off my circulation in the fingertips. I sleep crazy and I was forcing my hand against the brace where it hits my palm and then wake up w/o circulation in the fingers. Those old braces were Hely & Weber brand as are my new, more comfy ones that are a dream to sleep in!! They aren't super duper rigid a the palm but I'd say they are immobilizing my wrists. Also- the straps aren't abrasive at all. The whole apparatus is pillowy and good. PLUS they open completely up for a more accessible cleaning job :D
http://www.helyweber.com/products/5818Inset2.jpg
This is the 5819 Kuhl™ Modabber™ Wrist - Short Its on the Hely-Weber website here and they have a link to some online stores you can purchase them from

I called the sport med store where I got the braces and asked them for advice and it was so easy I'm bewildered why I didn't think of it myself :thud:
They said to cut old socks into fingerless gloves and put them on before the splints!! I did it last night and woke up sweat-free and without irritation :D

I was actually going to suggest the exact same thing.... but ended up deleting my post because I thought you might think me dumb! :o

I'm doing OK with my brace at the moment ... as in less pain at night, and have saved an old pair of cotton socks for when the weather is hot and my hands get sweaty.

I'm glad to read that you're doing better.

The rash would not be stopped by socks!!

Update:
Weirdly enough after almost a month in the clear and wearing my sock "gloves", the eczema crept back!! :eek: It's just as angry and awful as before.
But I will try once more to thwart it and continue to wear the splints. THIS time, I will make gloves/ sheaths out of thick terrycloth washcloths. I tried it last night and it seemed to do well. No heat & the rash hadn't been angered :o
Here goes!

splints & insomnia

when i wear splints i can't sleep for some reason. same with cpap and dental appliances. so i don't wear any of them and the result is i have dental problems from grinding my teeth and headaches from sleep apnea. i don't notice any benefits from the splints anyway, unless i have a sprain.

i know what you mean about some not being comfy. i found one at the thrift store that had a velcro closure that allowed you to adjust the part that hit the end where the pinky is. this is the part that hurts me most when i wear them becauses i diagnosed myself with ulnar tunnel syndrome (funny how the docs can't seem to do that themselves!). i also have a pair that adjusts with shoelaces. these are second best to the velcro one i have.

i am hoping for rash cures myself. i get them when i am on antibiotics, the fungal kind. living on the humid gulf coast i am sure does not help. last visit to the doctor they gave me a pill and said take one a day till it goes away, and then stop it. they gave me only 3 pills tho and it was not enuf.

sometimes vinegar helps rashes, but it works best on poison ivy and chiggers, and has to be applied right after the exposure. for poison ivy and chiggers, you need to apply and wash it off. something in the vinegar makes the chiggers die, and by washing you keep them from staying embedded.