My Carpal Tunnel Journey: Doctor Visits and What Helped

Introduction:

Over the past two and a half years, I’ve visited a couple of doctors to manage my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Each visit brought new insights, treatments, and lessons—some helpful, others less so. In today’s post, I’ll walk through those doctor visits, what advice I received, what worked for me, and what I wish I had done differently.



First Doctor Visit: The Initial Diagnosis

When my wrist pain became unbearable, I decided to visit a hand specialist. After listening to my symptoms, the doctor suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but recommended an X-ray to rule out other conditions like arthritis.

Here’s what the doctor suggested during my first visit:

  • Wrist braces to wear at night to keep my wrists straight while sleeping

  • Basic stretching exercises to relieve tension and improve flexibility in my wrist and forearm

  • Physical therapy as a possible next step if things didn’t improve

I followed the advice and started wearing the wrist braces at night and doing the prescribed stretching exercises daily.



First Doctor – Follow-Up Visit: Continuing Treatment and New Recommendations

After a month of following the initial treatment plan, I returned for my follow-up visit. I shared with the doctor that the wrist braces had aggravated my symptoms and that, overall, my pain had not subsided much since the last visit.

Based on my feedback, the doctor made some adjustments to my treatment plan:

  • He recommended that I stop using the wrist braces since they seemed to be worsening my pain.

  • He emphasized continuing the stretching exercises and also recommended I try physical therapy for more targeted help.

  • He suggested that if things didn’t improve further, we could explore corticosteroid injections or, as a last resort, Carpal Tunnel release surgery.



Second Doctor Visit: A Fresh Perspective

A year later, I decided to see a second hand specialist for another opinion. My symptoms hadn’t improved much with physical therapy and stretching, and I wanted to explore other options.

During this visit, the second doctor suggested:

  • Another round of physical therapy with a different focus, incorporating exercises for both neck and wrist.

  • He also recommended trying over-the-counter ibuprofen to help with inflammation.

  • As before, he discussed the possibility of corticosteroid injections or surgery if things didn’t get better.

Despite the new physical therapy sessions and ibuprofen, the pain persisted, though it was somewhat more manageable at times.



Reflection: What I Learned

Looking back, I wish I had tried different wrist braces instead of abandoning them altogether after the first visit. The wrist braces suggested initially didn’t suit me, but I found memory foam braces later on, which didn’t aggravate my symptoms and actually provided relief. I wonder if things would’ve been different had I given them a try earlier.



Looking Ahead: Lessons and What’s Next

Although my pain hasn’t completely disappeared, I’ve learned how to manage it better through:

  • Consistent stretching

  • Frequent breaks

  • A more ergonomic workspace setup

  • And listening to my body

In future posts, I’ll share:

  • Activities that make my symptoms worse

  • Stretching exercises I’ve found most effective

  • My workspace setup

  • Products that helped me along the way



Stay Updated:

If you’re dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or know someone who is, follow the blog for updates. I’ll be posting more personal insights, tips, and resources that have helped me manage life with CTS.



Warm regards,
The Carpal Guy

Location: United States

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Disclaimer

This blog is based on my personal experience with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I am not a medical professional. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis or treatment advice tailored to your situation.

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