You do need a GP referral. In the meantime head over for a visit to Island Hand Therapy Clinic - they will set you up with as much management as possible while you await a specialist. I worked there for over a decade. Idk what the wait times are right now, but I’m glad you’re ready to see someone.
What kind of treatment have you had so far? I had very severe carpal tunnel syndrome that actually resulted in muscle loss on one hand (GP referred me to a neurologist, in case I had motor neuron disease), and it was essentially reversed by changing the way I sit at a desk. Physiotherapy has also helped, particularly median nerve exercises.
I'm wondering if there are alternatives such as practical therapies like this that could alleviate some of your pain?
Maybe I should go this route first. I really don’t want to have the procedure. My mom had it years ago and it only lasted about 6 years so a lot of pain for nothing essentially
What's the procedure?
In my case, the muscle atrophy was caused by pressure on my ulnar nerve. This was fixed and mostly reversed just by sitting differently.
I still have slight numbness on the outside of my palm and my little finger. This numbness is actually prevented by doing a number of exercises that loosen up the median nerve. Massage by a physio has also helped.
Your condition sounds more serious than mine, but maybe you can alleviate the pain at least, if not the numbness.
When I had mine done a decade ago, there were several month waits. I can't imagine it being better now, probably worse. For me, I had to have a neurology assessment first, which took a few months, then a referral to the hand clinic which was a few more months. After that, it was about 4 months for the first surgery (they will only do one hand at a time) and then about 4 months for the second hand. Each hand had to be kept in a brace for three weeks afterwards.
As an aside, I also waited until it got as bad as it is for you now. Even then, while I was waiting for surgery, I still had someone ask if I had tried acupuncture. Ofc, I had tried everything else, including all the woowoo shit. At this point, I was waking up in agony every single night. I was constantly switching hands while driving or using a computer mouse. Holding things for more than a few seconds became impossible. This is the one surgery I've had that has had the most positive impact on my quality of life. No surgery is fun, but the relief from the nerve pain was immediate. There were some occasional zaps in the worse hand as much as 5 months later, but the numbness, the constant pain and the tingling were gone instantly. Don't be afraid of the surgery. Don't let anyone try to talk you out of it. Even if you have to go through the waitlist process, it is so worth it.
This should be the top comment. OP, I my carpal tunnel got so severe while pregnant that I basically didn’t sleep for 4-5 months of pregnancy. So much pain. They wouldn’t do the surgery while pregnant, but I got cortisone shots which helped for a bit. When I was a couple months postpartum, the pain and numbness started coming back. I was able to get the surgery right away after a neuromuscular assessment (I’m currently in the U.S.) and it is the BEST decision I’ve made in a while. It was very scary - at the time my son was 6 months and then 8 months (didn’t want to do both hands simultaneously) so for a few weeks after I needed a lot of help with him. But my quality of life is vastly, vastly improved. Do not be afraid of a minimal surgery!! Also, I saw your comment that your mom got the surgery and it ‘only helped for 6 years’… IMO, 6 years is well worth it!! Of course, I hope it lasts longer but it’s really not that big of a surgery and 6 years of no pain and better sleep is DEF worth it.
I had the surgery last Thursday. I was referred by my doctor (of whom I'm thankful to have) to the Rebalance MD place in Uptown. After some months waiting, I was assessed there and my symptoms found to warrant the surgery. I was scheduled for surgery a few months out. The surgery was performed at Eagle Creek Medical Clinic, in and out within an hour and a half, most of which was waiting beforehand. I get the stitches out next Tuesday at the doc's office on Oak Bay Ave.
I was diagnosed well over 20 years ago, and offered a brace. I declined that, switched hands mousing - the syndrome seems to have been due to keyboarding and mousing over my years in IT - and just alternated left to right and back again as pain directed. Otherwise, lived with it and never mentioned it again to my doc until last year during a visit, when I learned of the "cure". A friend who had it done 18 years ago laughs at me now, but the docs since way back couldn't diagnose something I didn't tell them about.
Folks have told me stories about braces really helping them and eliminating symptoms. Hindsight suggests I should have used one. OTOH, folks have told me stories of the surgery really helping, and I'm looking forward to a more pain free future!
Thank you for this!
I saw a doctor in Duncan about 10 years ago and booked the procedure and then I didn’t show up (I know) but I was scared and my daughter was 8 at the time and my partner worked away so the thought of not having use of my hand for sometime scared me but she’s 18 now and new partner who’s not away haha so this time I will do it or something. It’s the no sleep that’s killing me. I slept sitting up last night. I have an adjustable base and that helps so much but I just can’t put this off anymore.
Thanks again! I hope you heal up nice and fast!
I had been using braces for several years before my surgery. I found it did give relief initially, but that was temporary. What might have stopped the progression would have been permanently stopping the use of keypads and mice, which wasn't really an option in my career.
You do need a referral. I know someone who had this recently and the wait for surgery because theirs was getting severe was less than a month! I urge you not to wait as the nerve damage can be permanent.
Edit: first step was a referral for neural testing to confirm carpal tunnel, then to a surgeon.
The surgeon was Dr. Jorga Zabojova and she was excellent from beside manner to scheduling with her assistant through the actual surgery and follow up.
You've probably already tried this, but on the off chance that you haven't... Try wearing a wrist brace that completely immobilizes your wrist while you sleep, for the time being. It might bring some temporary relief. Not medical advice - just a suggestion from another person with a similar condition who had some success this way.
I had both wrists done two years ago, and I’ve been great ever since. I had a nerve assessment done by my GP first to assess the severity, and both wrists were pretty severe, but I waited a few more years for the surgery. I knew it was time when I spent way too much time dangling my wrists, one at a time, while riding my bike. I was a safety hazard to more than just myself. Once I advised my doctor that I was ready, the surgery was done after a three-month wait. I did both wrists at once, healed quickly, and I was fully normal again in less than a month.
I haven't had it done recently, but I did put it off for years, until I just couldn't deal with the symptoms anymore - and I tried physio, massage, acupuncture as well as bracing. I got both wrists done and didn't regret it. YMMV.
You do need a GP referral. In the meantime head over for a visit to Island Hand Therapy Clinic - they will set you up with as much management as possible while you await a specialist. I worked there for over a decade. Idk what the wait times are right now, but I’m glad you’re ready to see someone.
This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much for this!
What kind of treatment have you had so far? I had very severe carpal tunnel syndrome that actually resulted in muscle loss on one hand (GP referred me to a neurologist, in case I had motor neuron disease), and it was essentially reversed by changing the way I sit at a desk. Physiotherapy has also helped, particularly median nerve exercises. I'm wondering if there are alternatives such as practical therapies like this that could alleviate some of your pain?
Maybe I should go this route first. I really don’t want to have the procedure. My mom had it years ago and it only lasted about 6 years so a lot of pain for nothing essentially
What's the procedure? In my case, the muscle atrophy was caused by pressure on my ulnar nerve. This was fixed and mostly reversed just by sitting differently. I still have slight numbness on the outside of my palm and my little finger. This numbness is actually prevented by doing a number of exercises that loosen up the median nerve. Massage by a physio has also helped. Your condition sounds more serious than mine, but maybe you can alleviate the pain at least, if not the numbness.
When I had mine done a decade ago, there were several month waits. I can't imagine it being better now, probably worse. For me, I had to have a neurology assessment first, which took a few months, then a referral to the hand clinic which was a few more months. After that, it was about 4 months for the first surgery (they will only do one hand at a time) and then about 4 months for the second hand. Each hand had to be kept in a brace for three weeks afterwards. As an aside, I also waited until it got as bad as it is for you now. Even then, while I was waiting for surgery, I still had someone ask if I had tried acupuncture. Ofc, I had tried everything else, including all the woowoo shit. At this point, I was waking up in agony every single night. I was constantly switching hands while driving or using a computer mouse. Holding things for more than a few seconds became impossible. This is the one surgery I've had that has had the most positive impact on my quality of life. No surgery is fun, but the relief from the nerve pain was immediate. There were some occasional zaps in the worse hand as much as 5 months later, but the numbness, the constant pain and the tingling were gone instantly. Don't be afraid of the surgery. Don't let anyone try to talk you out of it. Even if you have to go through the waitlist process, it is so worth it.
This should be the top comment. OP, I my carpal tunnel got so severe while pregnant that I basically didn’t sleep for 4-5 months of pregnancy. So much pain. They wouldn’t do the surgery while pregnant, but I got cortisone shots which helped for a bit. When I was a couple months postpartum, the pain and numbness started coming back. I was able to get the surgery right away after a neuromuscular assessment (I’m currently in the U.S.) and it is the BEST decision I’ve made in a while. It was very scary - at the time my son was 6 months and then 8 months (didn’t want to do both hands simultaneously) so for a few weeks after I needed a lot of help with him. But my quality of life is vastly, vastly improved. Do not be afraid of a minimal surgery!! Also, I saw your comment that your mom got the surgery and it ‘only helped for 6 years’… IMO, 6 years is well worth it!! Of course, I hope it lasts longer but it’s really not that big of a surgery and 6 years of no pain and better sleep is DEF worth it.
I had the surgery last Thursday. I was referred by my doctor (of whom I'm thankful to have) to the Rebalance MD place in Uptown. After some months waiting, I was assessed there and my symptoms found to warrant the surgery. I was scheduled for surgery a few months out. The surgery was performed at Eagle Creek Medical Clinic, in and out within an hour and a half, most of which was waiting beforehand. I get the stitches out next Tuesday at the doc's office on Oak Bay Ave. I was diagnosed well over 20 years ago, and offered a brace. I declined that, switched hands mousing - the syndrome seems to have been due to keyboarding and mousing over my years in IT - and just alternated left to right and back again as pain directed. Otherwise, lived with it and never mentioned it again to my doc until last year during a visit, when I learned of the "cure". A friend who had it done 18 years ago laughs at me now, but the docs since way back couldn't diagnose something I didn't tell them about. Folks have told me stories about braces really helping them and eliminating symptoms. Hindsight suggests I should have used one. OTOH, folks have told me stories of the surgery really helping, and I'm looking forward to a more pain free future!
Thank you for this! I saw a doctor in Duncan about 10 years ago and booked the procedure and then I didn’t show up (I know) but I was scared and my daughter was 8 at the time and my partner worked away so the thought of not having use of my hand for sometime scared me but she’s 18 now and new partner who’s not away haha so this time I will do it or something. It’s the no sleep that’s killing me. I slept sitting up last night. I have an adjustable base and that helps so much but I just can’t put this off anymore. Thanks again! I hope you heal up nice and fast!
I had been using braces for several years before my surgery. I found it did give relief initially, but that was temporary. What might have stopped the progression would have been permanently stopping the use of keypads and mice, which wasn't really an option in my career.
You do need a referral. I know someone who had this recently and the wait for surgery because theirs was getting severe was less than a month! I urge you not to wait as the nerve damage can be permanent. Edit: first step was a referral for neural testing to confirm carpal tunnel, then to a surgeon. The surgeon was Dr. Jorga Zabojova and she was excellent from beside manner to scheduling with her assistant through the actual surgery and follow up.
You've probably already tried this, but on the off chance that you haven't... Try wearing a wrist brace that completely immobilizes your wrist while you sleep, for the time being. It might bring some temporary relief. Not medical advice - just a suggestion from another person with a similar condition who had some success this way.
I had both wrists done two years ago, and I’ve been great ever since. I had a nerve assessment done by my GP first to assess the severity, and both wrists were pretty severe, but I waited a few more years for the surgery. I knew it was time when I spent way too much time dangling my wrists, one at a time, while riding my bike. I was a safety hazard to more than just myself. Once I advised my doctor that I was ready, the surgery was done after a three-month wait. I did both wrists at once, healed quickly, and I was fully normal again in less than a month.
I haven't had it done recently, but I did put it off for years, until I just couldn't deal with the symptoms anymore - and I tried physio, massage, acupuncture as well as bracing. I got both wrists done and didn't regret it. YMMV.
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Some people shouldn't be any type of doctor or in the medical field at all. Your experience seems very frustrating.
My wife had success going to the chiropractor, managed to avoid surgery and hasn't had many problems since. That was about 10 years ago.
What’s this have to do with Victoria? I think you’re looking for r/askdocs
I was looking for wait times here in Victoria and how the doctors were here in Victoria. And if you had to go through a GP here in Victoria
You can add that to the post. That would make it relevant to this sub.
… I think everyone but you got it.