Carpal Tunnel + Crochet

[jenuine226]

Ok, update on my situation: I went to the doctor today to get my arm/wrist/hand checked out and to see what is wrong. And wouldn't you know it ... my hand felt perfectly fine this weekend and this morning when I went to see the doctor! So he asks all these questions and has me do various flexing activities and checks my grip, etc. After all these activities, he says, "Well, everything seems to be normal, and the muscles on both of your hands are working the same, it's not as if your left hand is not functioning the same as your right ... you probably slept on your left arm wrong and pinched a nerve." And then, as I'm walking out the door, he says, "Oh, wait, did you say it hurt for two weeks, or you had the pain two weeks ago?" (He wasn't paying attention?! ) And I reply, "No, it actually hurt for the entire two weeks, that's why I finally decided to come see the doctor!" And all he said then was, "Oh, how curious."

 

Umm ... what the heck! I mean, I am really glad my arm/wrist/hand feels better today, but if the pain comes back, I am definitely going to a different doctor! Do you all think I should get a second opinion if the pain come back?

 

I forgot to mention, a couple hours after I got back from the doctor's office, my arm started feeling funny again. (Not "painful" funny, more like "I jarred my funny bone" funny.) *argh*!!!!!!!

[Cuddlefish]

I usually only have pains when I'm crocheting with too much tension. I've never been numb like that, though, that's really disturbing to hear.

 

Using a bigger hook usually makes a world of difference, if I'm tensing up. When I don't get too much tension, I can crochet for hours without any pains at all, while just a few rounds of something that's too tight can cause pain. I guess trying to work on getting the right tension can go a long way to prevent real problems in the long run.

[hookd1989]

Definitely get a second opinion...

When you went to the doctor, did he only examine your wrist? No vitals?

 

Also, does anyone have heart trouble in your family? I've heard from several people that the tingling/numbness can be a warning sign from your heart. It happened to a co-worker. She didn't have a stroke or heartattack, but her doctor told her that was her body's way of warning her. Dr. put her on some meds and she hasn't had them since.

 

[ Do you all think I should get a second opinion if the pain come back?

 

I forgot to mention, a couple hours after I got back from the doctor's office, my arm started feeling funny again. (Not "painful" funny, more like "I jarred my funny bone" funny.) *argh*!!!!!!!

[jenuine226]

Definitely get a second opinion...

When you went to the doctor, did he only examine your wrist? No vitals?

 

Also, does anyone have heart trouble in your family? I've heard from several people that the tingling/numbness can be a warning sign from your heart. It happened to a co-worker. She didn't have a stroke or heartattack, but her doctor told her that was her body's way of warning her. Dr. put her on some meds and she hasn't had them since.

 

Well, he also "checked my pulses" up and down my arm and said the blood circulation in both arms seem identical. Is that what you mean?

 

I didn't even consider it might be related to heart trouble. One of my parents has high blood pressure, does that count? Nothing like heart attacks or anything in our family. (I think?!)

[hookd1989]

I would mention the high blood pressure at your second opinion, if you haven't already gone. The worst they can say is that it isn't related for you...but I'd wanna know if it were me. Ask you family too about the stroke/heartattack incidents if you're not sure. My family tends to have "anmesia" when it's convenient for them. (Don't know why they're like that. Fear maybe...)

 

I hope whatever is causing you discomfort is an easy fix.

[quirkyvirgo]

It's amazing how many people this effects.

Jenuine, did you see a GP or a neurologist? I can't believe a specialist would act that nonchalant. I would strongly recommend a second opinion.

It could be related to medial neural tension. I found an excellent exercise recommended by a physical therapist that stretches that out. He said to stand arm's length from a wall, stretch your arm closest to the wall out and put your palm on the wall with fingers facing up, arm shoulder level, and slowly tilt your head to the side away from the wall, then back up to center and do that slowly about 6 times, several reps a day. (If wall is on your left, left arm on wall and tilt your head to the right). The further you point the fingers of your wall hand to the back, the better the stretch. That one has helped me a lot.

[jenuine226]

It was a GP. (That means general practititioner, right?!)

 

What's medial neural tension?

[Frangipani]

I was told I had CTS and tendonitis in my fingers a few months afre I started crocheting (I was a super tight stitcher in the beginning). I was given wrist braces to wear at night as I tend to bend my hands inwards at night, contributing to the pain and numbness. I wear the braces at night and only crochet for 2 hours at a time. Then I check how my wrists feel and decide if that's enough or to keep going.

 

I hope it was just a pinched nerve and you're fine to crochet the day away!!

 

Bec