unionwirewoman ~ may I suggest a few things, based on personal experience? I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome when I was just 27 yrs old. I had had symptoms like yours for yrs, but did not pay attention to them, because I just chalked it up to being pregnant all the time, and thought it might go away. It didn't. When my son was just 4 months old, I was holding him, and actually dropped him, not realizing I didn't have a firm grip on him. Thank goodness I was on carpet, and close to the ground. That experience shook me to my core. I finally went into the doctor, & he immediately scheduled me for a carpal tunnel release in both hands, 4 wks apart.
If I had not gone in when I did, I would have had permanent sensation loss in both of my hands. I work extensively with my hands, & cannot imagine living without full function. I know you are an electrician, so your hands & full function is critical to your job. Don't put off a carpal tunnel release. It can save your hands!!
In the meantime, to relieve pressure ~ have someone rub the upper outside area of your forearms, in that balled up muscle right beside the tendon. This will hurt like mad, but it will relieve pressure. Also, try putting your hands flat out on a table, while standing up, flexing the fingers as far as possible, leaning into the extension. Then take your hands move them in the opposite direction, also leaning on them as much as possible. Then take each finger, and give them each full flexion & extension. Gently, gently, but as far as possible. Do this as often as your hands ache. Try to stretch more & more each day. It will help relieve some of the pressure on the nerves that bunch up in the carpal tunnel.
It has now been 10 yrs since both of my hands have been released, & I have never looked back or regretted it. Do what your doctor says, take your recovery seriously, don't try to hurry things along by going back to work immediately, & thereby growing scar tissue on your fresh surgery.
Do get it done, you will be so grateful 60 yrs from now!!
I hope this helps you!
~Red
If I had not gone in when I did, I would have had permanent sensation loss in both of my hands. I work extensively with my hands, & cannot imagine living without full function. I know you are an electrician, so your hands & full function is critical to your job. Don't put off a carpal tunnel release. It can save your hands!!
In the meantime, to relieve pressure ~ have someone rub the upper outside area of your forearms, in that balled up muscle right beside the tendon. This will hurt like mad, but it will relieve pressure. Also, try putting your hands flat out on a table, while standing up, flexing the fingers as far as possible, leaning into the extension. Then take your hands move them in the opposite direction, also leaning on them as much as possible. Then take each finger, and give them each full flexion & extension. Gently, gently, but as far as possible. Do this as often as your hands ache. Try to stretch more & more each day. It will help relieve some of the pressure on the nerves that bunch up in the carpal tunnel.
It has now been 10 yrs since both of my hands have been released, & I have never looked back or regretted it. Do what your doctor says, take your recovery seriously, don't try to hurry things along by going back to work immediately, & thereby growing scar tissue on your fresh surgery.
Do get it done, you will be so grateful 60 yrs from now!!
I hope this helps you!
~Red
