For Canterbury patients

Progress with hand supports

Dear Dr Bland

You asked me to post here to inform you how I was getting on with the hand supports. They are really helping my numbness - I have tried to sleep without them and realise what a difference they make. However, I have now had them for almost 4 months and feel that they are loosening and becoming less effective. Can I get a new set from my GP?

Do I need another appointment with you?

Kind regards,

Bernadette Burnett
Reference number 89533

RETURN OF SYMPTOMS IN RIGHT HAND

Dr Bland my symptoms have returned over the past few months with revenge, I've tried to keep them at bay with exercises and my braces but its not working. The pain is bad enough during the day but at night within 10 mins of me laying down to sleep it seems to get worse, that much so that I can't sleep and i'd quite happily chop my hand off ! I've spoken to my GP but he says he can't do anything untilll next years budget as carpal tunnel is not a priority, so could you help again please ? Many Thanks

After steroid injection

initally after injection as i left the hospital my wrist and arm were throbbing. After 4 hours had passed i only have slight tingling in my finger tips.

3 hours after injection

Dr Fox from Wye surgery performed the injections which were painless during the process and have been since. He used no anaesthetic with the injection and I am now hoping that this will give me some relief from the constant tingling and numbness that I am suffering at present, the doctor suggested 3 - 7 days before any change felt, I await in anticipation!

Pain in the right hand palm

Dear Dr Bland

Straight after my assessment on 29th October I started wearing the splints at night as discussed. It seems to have helped release the tingling/numbness for the first few nights. Unfortunately it came back the last few nights. I also wake up with pain in my right hand palm in the area by my thumb. I'm wondering wether this comes from the shape of the metal bar inside the splint or If it could be the way I put my hand while sleeping?
Many thanks

Nathalie

2nd injection

Hi I had my second injection yesterday and went ok but wrist feels a bit sore where needle went in still have numb thumb and 2 fingers. I was woundering if you could possiable send me a new splint as I have been using most of the time when I'm not working (as it offers a small amount of pain rellif) and is know very worn and rubs my skin in place's and make's my skin sore.

Thanks :):)

Sleeping on back

Dear Dr Bland I've got an appt with you next week as symptoms pretty bad - have done the questionnaire. Just wanted to ask - I made myself sleep on my back a few nights ago and I didn't experience the usual CTS symptoms that night or on waking. I've tried this again three times and found the symptoms much reduced. However, sleeping on my back is not easy and I keep waking and wanting to turn on my side. Is it the physical position that reduces the symptoms? Or is it that I'm not getting into a very deep sleep when on my back?

Splints

Hi Doctor Bland,

Following on from my appointment of two weeks ago, I am wearing the splints on a regular basis and have found that the symptoms have been reduced but not eradicated.

B.N.

Update following injection on Nov 1

Hi Dr Bland, Thank you for seeing me on Thursday. Following the injection in my right wrist (thankfully painless!) I have been wearing the splint at night and the situation does seem to have improved a little. However, I am still getting tingling in the thumb and next three fingers on the right hand, less so when wearing the splint at night but still continuously during the day.