romanojg

I meet with a group of ladies and we do hand applique and I'm also learning hand piecing. In the beginning of each session we do finger/wrist excercises to losen things up. You might try. I have a back disease and I do excercises to keep it from fusing together wrong. I can always tell when it's trying to fuse because it starts itching from inside.Good luck

AFQSinc

Intially, I wore braces at night (have CTS bilaterally) and did physical therapy. I 'achieved' mine while working as an optician and also dog training. Once the inflammation went down (had to leave my job) I have been able to maintain a pain free state with regular stretches and exercise. Yoga has been good for both my wrists and my back problems. It does take a long time, though. I was initially diagnosed in 1996.

I would definitely seek a doctor that has experience with CTS and conservative measures before surgery.

Sandee

Braces & ice.

virtualbernie

I have it in both hands and have had it for many many years (I was a typist then secretary way back when and that's when it started). The doctor prescribed 600 ml Ibuprophen 3 X a day and to wear the braces. I wear them when I sleep. I did stop the Ibuprophen for a while but when I have flair ups I start back up for a while.

Buckeye Rose

Exactly! I have had carpal tunnel problems in both wrists....it got so bad that at times I had problems holding a fork to eat with! And the pain....omg...unbearable. I opted to get them surgically fixed and have had no issues since. It was by far the best choice for me. The surgery is very simple with an incision about an inch long in the base of the palm, 5 stitches. I had a half cast (cast on the palm side of the hand) so I couldn't bend my wrist for a week with lifting restrictions for 6 weeks. The relief from pain was immediate. I would do it again in a flash!

EIQuilter

I had it in both hands - after the nerve testing was completed, they recommended surgery (I did wear a brace at night from the time of diagnosis until the day of surgery). The good thing about surgery is that I have had no recurrence in the last 15 years. However, that may not work for everybody. Bottom line is to talk with your doctor to get all the options available and decide what's best for YOU.

SharonTheriault

I did all the exercises, pain relief meds, braces, etc. I had surgery on the right hand, later on the left. NO PAIN SINCE!
Would I do it again? In a heart beat.

Mad Mimm

I was diagnosed with bilateral CTS - had release surgery on both hands several years back and have been symptom free ever since. I am much more careful about my ergonomics now - have been a keyboarder for most of my career so Dr said I was due for it. :(

Still, surgery was the answer for me. I am happy now and able to hold a needle for more than 3 minutes (used to be my fingers were totally numb by then! Bindings took forever and FORGET about handquilting!)

Robinlee

I take herbs and on occassion wear a brace if I really over work it (this past winter when we moved). Kelp and Horsetail grass. I've used it for the last 14 years or so.
Both my sisters had surgery and still have problems. Me, I do the natural thing, HERBS.

MonnaL

I decorated wedding cakes for 30 years, groomed and showed Persian cats, did all sorts of needlework, and worked most of my life at a typewriter or keyboard.

The pain and numbness got so bad I finally had surgery. It was a walk in the park. I had been terrified of it because of cast and 6 week downtime. I used my hands to make a living. All that is changed now. A simple incision in the palm of my hand, a bandaid and a couple of stitches. The pain relief was immediate, but the numbness in my fingers continued because I waited too long and had permanent nerve damage.

Finally, after two years, the feeling is coming back in my fingers and I can do needlework again. It was done outpatient and I could kick myself for not doing it years ago.

My left hand is not so bad but I would have the surgery in a heartbeat if it got as bad as my right hand was.

For me, surgery was the right answer. And I would do it again without a second thought! Good luck.