Carpel tunnel surgery

I can't offer any advice, just wanted to wish you well.
I had nerve conduction tests a few weeks ago, due back to the specialist next week to see if I need surgery; so will watch this thread with interest.

I've had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands, about 6 months apart, a few years ago now. Did you have a local or general anaesthetic? Mine were both locals and my sugar levels weren't affected as far as I can remember. However, when I've had general anaesthetics, and I've had a few, my sugar levels are always affected. It's because your body goes through quite a stressful time with surgery and we all know how stress can make our sugar levels rise!

I'm a typist by trade and had to take 3 weeks off work each time I had my carpal tunnel done. My first operation was very painful afterwards and took longer to heal, but my second operation (which was done by a much more competent neurosurgeon than the first!) wasn't nearly as bad and I recovered a lot sooner. I still took the full 3 weeks off work though as I wouldn't have been able to type during that period. I remember struggling with almost every chore, doing up my bra was the hardest and I definitely needed my husband's help for that one!

Good luck with the recovery, I hope it's not too painful. Once you're over the pain you'll realise it was the best thing you could have done, trust me!

Sorry to hear your pain is getting worse, mine only got better over time so maybe you need to have it seen to?! I can't really remember how long I kept the dressings on for, I remember wearing a sling for about a week and I'm fairly sure I kept the dressings on until I had the stitches removed - I think!

Had carpal tunnel surgery three times before diabetes diagnosis - since then found a study that shows excluding any other risk factor you are 36 times more likely to develop diabetes if you have had carpal tunnel symptoms.... Have also been told it will only get worse after the diabetes diagnosis.

I lost some strength in both hands on the first surgery on each and more on the second surgery to my right hand. I took 6 weeks off after each op and after the second op on right hand was very careful. Unfortunately whereas the first op kept me symptom free for 2 years, it was only 6 months after the second.

I found that I had some pain after all the ops and I would expect this to raise blood sugars as an infection does as your body is having to work harder to maintain things (personal view only).

The longer you can avoid over using your injured hand I would say the better - the op relies on scar tissue building up between the two cut ends of the 'tunnel' to make it bigger. I also had the feeling of the tendons jumping out of the tunnel if I over did it- perfectly normal but a really strange feeling.

Cath

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I had some nerve conduction tests done last month and have been told I have moderate nerve damage and need carpal tunnel surgery to both hands. However, I dont have any bother with it really! It doesnt hurt, just tingles at night sometimes. I am wondering whether I really need surgery. im an artist and teach art so dont want to cause damage when its not needed!

My hubby (type1) had Carpel Tunnel Surgery in January, he was due to have op's in both hands but after the op on his right hand he lost all symptoms in his left and has never had to go back and have the other fixed!!!

He healed really well and didn't have any problems with his sugars. We did buy an exercise ball for him to squeeze and after about 3 months he had normal strength back in his hand. hope you are feeling better soon.

I had mine done by local anaesthetic on both hands. No raise in levels. The 3rd day after my 1st hand was done I went wallpapering my hallway.. up a platform ladder.Went back to work after 10 days for both hands. My coverings came off by 5th day and sutures removed after 10 days. Never a problem since. This was 17 years ago. It was a bit of bad luck because my private consultant had agreed to do both hands together, providing I had someone to look after me.. (Hubby).. However my hubbys dad died the morning of my op so I had to get them done separately. In end one done private. One done nhs.

However I was told that my job (that was on a computer all the time) was liable to be making things worse. I changed jobs to less keyboard and also have been gardening for practically 10 years now as my job.

I think everyone is different no matter whether they diabetic or not... My step sister (non diabetic)had 6 weeks off with her 1st hand and next week having her 2nd hand done.. And she already planning not to do anything till Christmas.... Healing times are different for everybody. Same with blood tests afterwards... If you go from being active during day to less active... Then this will give raised levels needless to say.

I have had both wrists done a year apart. Great recovery I just wish I had them done years before I did. Kept dressings on until stitches out. Firstnwas a general and interfered with sugars, Seconal a local and no probs.good luck

Hi according to the Medics I have carpal tunnel problems having had nerve conduction tests a few months back, however my osteopaths say its ulna nerve entrapment. Going to see neuros at clinic next week that will be an interesting consultation as I'm not willing to go down carpal tunnel route if the problem is higher up in neck or even as a result of low thyroid function.
Watch this space!

Hi all - how bad were you before needing the Carpel T operation? My fingers are nearly useless in the mornings
and tingling wakes me at night but GP (Reading, Berks) says they are not bad enough yet to be sent to the hospital! Would like to
have this done privately but too expensive for me - also annoying because we've worked and paid for the NHS all our
life and now retired and cant get the operation needed. Advice would be welcome thanks Lin
(Onwards and upwards)

Hi
Sorry to hear your having so many problems. I had both carpel tunnels done, one after the other. These were done under a local. I did have some pain but my sugars were fine. If you are in so much pain i suggest you go to see your GP as you may have a slight infection and that could be the reason for the high sugars.
Hope all goes well.
Take care
Tracey

I have had carpal tunnel surgery under local anaesthetic on both wrists 2 years apart. I was surprised how little pain I had afterwards. The worst bit was havin the anaesthetic put in -that was painful! I don't remember my sugars being affected too much. (I'm on a pump). Recently I've been getting trigger finger in my little finger and it looks like more surgery needed