I am looking for the brain storm bag of tricks to try to reduce the carpal tunnel pain. It is in the palm area, base of the wrist, worse in the padded spot at the base of themb....., from wrist up under arm in the forearm area. My pointer finger too the top first knuckle is red and swollen.

Clincher is this is no dominate hand, BUT, w/c treated me and returned me to work 10 years ago for a sprain, but my wrist was actually broken.
I do get ganglions in this area, and the doc did say DeQuarivans (sp)..

I use lidocain cut and wrapped around the wrist, have a splint, yucky help.....
Ice pack, gel type to sink the hand in. Rub with biofreeze. Asprin, Advil, PErcocette if I need, if more then the hand hurts I need....

I wear the splint out, take off in the house, use the lidodrm around sleeping,

Usually, one or more of these helps....bums me as it is the non dominate hand, but one that was broken,,,,
Any thoughts? IT is confusing as it is the not as affected side, it is not my right hand dominate side, it is the side I have left side C4/5/6 herniations...
I tip my head right and chin down subconsiously...(shortening to the worse affected side, TOS worse side)
Di

OH! the spot under the elbow joint, lowest part of inside of elbow joint, is terrible painful too..I think if I press the spot where my bra strap would sit....I feel it travel down to these spots....

On my right (dominent) hand I have tos, also radial,median,ulnar nerve issues. On that same hand I had 2 cts surgeries that both did nothing to help. So, I often get back of the hand pain there. But below knuckles. Heating pad is the only relief I get but it often feels like its not hot enough.

Computer and writing often cause flare ups.

when my arm nerves flare up like that, running the tens unit from my neck to my hand on a very low setting for about 30 minutes can really make it feel better. higher steeing/shorter time doesn't work. I put the first electrode on my neck, it's mate on my elbow, the second pad on my shoulder with it's mate down mear the wrist- that was the signals dont' have too far to travel but it gets my whole arm.

sharon butler says for wrist pain to stretch armpits and lats- that has been known to help me, too. But mine is mostly wrist pain...not the finers/hand so much.

My PT has helped me with the sharp shooting pains by manual "flossing" of the arm, traps and shoulder muscles and nerves.
I would normaly press on my palm and thumb to relieve the pain.
Like a pressure point type of thing.

Opening up the brachial plexus by laying on the floor practicing trap exercises and laying on a styrofoam roll to open up has also contributed to less of constant pain.
I find when i use the compooper, try to work on mylegal paper work, use my hands for normal daily function it flares up again.
Frustrating as it is I avoid until I have to.

So the exercises are a must throughout the day.
And of course I use ice, valium for the calming of the nerve pain and lidoderm patches are now place on my upper arm inside. Finding the placement has been the key.
XXOO

When I get the pain it seems I can;t think how to help myself.
I agree it is hard to get heat hot enough, I do have a bed buddy. My daughter also had two carpaltunnel surgeries before her TOS dioagx. The doctor even said he did not think they would help it was from her neck..., but she had to have ganglions removed anyway. He said her CT was fine. W/C doc......

That is where I press at the base of the thumb, and yes I feel now it could contribute from the armpit area.

Weird that it is non dominate, but I got a new mop. Instead of just pushing the swifter wet one, this one my hubby picked up you have to press the handle downward to wring it. I did the rooms downstairs; the cats littler box is in, the bathroom, laundry room and hall.

I bet the pressure to push down flared this.
I am going to try to get it open and sit with the TENS on. My new TENS is a gem! You do not have to worry about crossing leads on the spine with it, just not put on the spine, so I bet it helps!

gosh thanks for throwing out a life line to help me,
Di

cHi DiMarie,

I've been diagnosed with CTS also. I agree with what the other posters have said to find pain relief. I find that wearing my wrist splint at night, and depending on the pain level, I may wear it during the day also. Usually I find that wearing it at night for at least a week and as needed during the day, along with anti-inflammatories, biofreeze, heat, nerve glides, and stretching. Mind clears up with writing, typing, cooking, and some cleaning activities. The new mop likely caused your flare, so you may be better off with your swiffer.

Hope you feel better soon!

Hi,
Not sure if this is what you need....but there is a Canadian lady who makes buckwheat pillows (AMAZING) for our necks....but she also makes arm supports for the cpu with mouse or keyboard use....it is filled with flax seed....so get a bag, or get someone to sew it for you so that you can fill it with flax seeds and then use it as a pressure reliever when on cpu.....perhaps to help perhaps not....

www.perfectpillow.com

love and hugs,
Victoira

After going Bad Bad Mop I felt better, LOL

I actually had the tens on for three hours, took 4 Advil,

THen this afternoon I had biofreez and the wrist spint after I got out of the pool. For the first time in days I feel so much better. Yes I agree it is back to the Swifter!!!

Shellimac, you are so cute...you said yours clears up with writing, typing, cooking, and some cleaning activities.
I have to chuckle because mine does too, if I am watching someone else do those for me...I am as happy as a pig in mud.

I can do, but is moderation...
I took the mop out to burn it, then told the husband he can use it as he bought it!

But the refocusing with the tips given helped so much.
di

victoria- do you know if she makes something to put under my arm/between arm and body? I like the sound of the neck rest and wrist support. I don't have CTS (i think) but my left hand/wrist/arm is waaaaaaaaaaaay weaker than it was 1yr ago even 2yrs ago.

dabbo, how about this?