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Need help with my carpal tunnel and forearm pain.


Posted: Mar 30, 2011

I had an EMG study a couple of years ago and was told I had mild carpal tunnel in both wrists.  Well, Ive been working two jobs for a while now and it has gotten way worse.  My hands go numb and have to shake them out every so often to get the feeling back and get rid of the tingling.  And now my right forarm has a deep muscle ache, on the top of the arm, up close to the elbow, probably the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle and it has been hurting me for at least three months.  I'm not sure if that is part of the carpal tunnel or something new.  It just aches.  I can't squeeze anything to tight or hurts and I cannot lift anything with that arm or hurts.  Plus I can feeling the muscle twitching when I'm paused over the keyboard waiting to type something.  I've been icing my arms and taking ibuprofen.  I already take Flexeril for my neck problems, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything for my arms.  When did I get this old?!?!!?  I feel like an old stiff woman!

So I have been looking at arm braces to wear at night when I sleep and something I can wear while work.  Any suggestions?  There are so many out there and I want to make sure I get the right one.

;

braces (sm) - dln

[ In Reply To ..]
I also am sure I have mild carpal tunnel, though I haven't been tested for it yet. I have many of the same symptoms you mentioned, but not quite as bad (yet)! I mainly have the tingling and numbness sensations.

Anyway, I do wear braces both while working and at night. The night ones are stiff, forcing your wrist to be straight, and you really cannot wear them while working. The ones I got for nighttime use are from a company called Wellgate for Women; I had to get one for the right hand and one for the left hand (Women's Slimfit Wrist Support). I got them at Walmart for about 17 dollars each, though they are probably available at other places.

The ones I use during the day while I'm transcribing/editing are called IMAK SmartGlove. They are flexible enough to allow you to transcribe but still give you needed support. I ordered them through my local Staples store. I can't remember the price off hand, but they were reasonable and are of very good quality.

It did take me a few days to get used to wearing both the day gloves and the nighttime braces, but now I can't sleep or work without them!! I would like to think they're working as my symptoms haven't gotten any worse since I started using them so maybe that's a good sign?!? LOL!

Anyway, best of luck to you! I know the pain you are feeling, and it's most definitely not a fun feeling!

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