SH*T I think I've got Carpal Tunnel

[Jamesemt]

I've recently been getting tingling in my left hand radiating to my two middle fingers. It seems to start in my palm. Could this be Carpal tunnel syndrome?

I've been back playing the bass for a year, but haven't altered my practice routine at all recently - still playing with the same old strap at the same height on the same bass.

The obvious advice is to go and see the Doctor, but being a Paramedic I am very suspicous of (incompetent) Doctors around my area... How else do you diagnose Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Should I stop playing the bass for a few weeks?

TBH I'm sh*tting myself at the prospect of not being able to play...

[Jobiebass]

I have no idea TBH.
But I really hope everything works out ok for you.

[kdphysio]

sounds very carpal tunnel-like mate.

google these carpal tunnel tests (easier than trying to describel them!)-

tinel's test;

phalen's test.

good luck.

karl

[King Tut]

How else could it be diagnosed competently other than by going to your doctor?

If you don't trust your own GP, you may need to splash out and seek someone privately. I think that placing your health in the hands of an internet forum, however well meaning we all are, would be a bad move.

Get specialist help mate - if only to put your mind at rest.

[kdphysio]

[quote name='King Tut' post='221007' date='Jun 17 2008, 11:10 PM']How else could it be diagnosed competently other than by going to your doctor?[/quote]


see a 'chartered physio' mate..........that's what WE do!

[Muppet]

I think you should go see a qualified individual and refrain from self diagnosing if you can, otherwise you're going to get yourself worked up, probably unnecessarily. A rest from anything that is putting your hand under strain is probably best in the meantime - so get off the internet.........

[Muppet]

[quote name='kdphysio' post='221009' date='Jun 17 2008, 11:13 PM']see a 'chartered physio' mate..........that's what WE do! [/quote]

Do you do it on internet forums? If that's what you do, as a professional, I would have thought you'd be offering better advice that googling the internet....

[kdphysio]

well as i also pointed out, he should see someone who's qualified!

at least the tests i gave him to check out are self-administered........so don't tell me how do my job (i've been doing it for 14 years)!!


edit. the sub-heading on the topic is 'HELP', so that's what we try to do, in anyway that's possible.

Edited June 17, 2008 by kdphysio

[bigd1]

I have carpal tunnel in both hands (had the left one released) If you do have CP it will in no way stop you playing bass guitar, tuba, guitar or keyboards, well it doesn't stop me.
Your first stop must be your GP go see what they say, Hands are a very complicated area. Lots of bones, tendons and nerves that for lots of reasons can cause the problem you are having.
The only way to make sure you get it sorted is to go see a doctor.

[Welshbassist]

Get it sorted ASAP before it develops too much, and maybe switch to a new right hand technique - something with a straighter wrist like floating thumb?

[bassicinstinct]

Make an appointment with a decent Chiropractor [b]now[/b].

You'll be glad you did, believe me.

[obbm]

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='221089' date='Jun 18 2008, 08:04 AM']Make an appointment with a decent Chiropractor [b]now[/b].

You'll be glad you did, believe me.[/quote]

+1

I had a similar tingling fingers problem a couple of years ago. It turned out to be a lower back problem.

[Muppet]

[quote name='kdphysio' post='221041' date='Jun 18 2008, 12:12 AM']well as i also pointed out, he should see someone who's qualified!

at least the tests i gave him to check out are self-administered........so don't tell me how do my job (i've been doing it for 14 years)!!

edit. the sub-heading on the topic is 'HELP', so that's what we try to do, in anyway that's possible.[/quote]

Not telling you how to do your job, as I appreciate it is highly skilled and I would have no idea, but telling a chap it sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome from a one line statement and then suggesting he checks online can only make him worry more.

The symptoms could relate to a number of things, best diagnosed by a professional, in person.

Feel free to disagree if you think it helps the OP.

[Bilbo]

It doesn't have to be CTS. Could be 100 other things (RSI for one). My CTS resulted in a burning sensation in my forearm near the elbow not a pain in the hand itself. You'll need to manage it to allow the 'injury' to heal. I did this by evaluating my technique and recognisisng whta was sloppy about it. A few adjustments and bingo, reduced discmfort to teh point where I have few problems anymore - too years tho'!

One of the things I did that helped a lot was to get an ergonomic keyboard for my work computer, a vertical (?) mouse and a mouse mat with a wrist support. That way my wrists weren't compromised all day at work.

In a nutshell, it doesn't mean the end of your playing. It may mean that you can't ever play Country and Western but, hell, that's probably a good thing.

[bassicinstinct]

[quote name='Muppet' post='221119' date='Jun 18 2008, 09:11 AM']Not telling you how to do your job, as I appreciate it is highly skilled and I would have no idea, but telling a chap it sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome from a one line statement and then suggesting he checks online can only make him worry more.

The symptoms could relate to a number of things, best diagnosed by a professional, in person.

Feel free to disagree if you think it helps the OP.[/quote]

Agreed.

[Huggy and the Bears]

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='221132' date='Jun 18 2008, 09:24 AM']Agreed.[/quote]

I have been through similar sensations before and it is usually the fact that I have slightly strained my hand in some way. last time it was dioing a bit of DIY. I could not feel anything in normal operation, but playing was unbearable and led to getting cramp also mid song.

Basically get to the quacks, and continue to play but don't push it. When i have these spells i just back off a bit with playing, and play things further up the neck so that my wrist is at a better angle.

Life is not over!

[bassicinstinct]

A personal anecdote which may or may not help the OP to reach a decision:

I was having problems with tingling, numbness and occasional cramp in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of both hands.

Went to GP who suspected ulnar nerve problems and referred me to the hospital for tests.

Test results confirmed [b]lesions on both ulnar nerves[/b], although it was never explained to me how this could have come about. I was advised that surgery was necessary to remedy the problem BUT that the surgery:

1. Could cure or improve the problem.

2. Have no effect.

3. Make the problem worse to the degree that I would no longer have the use of the affected fingers.

Not surprisingly, I declined surgery.

The good news is that with one Chiropractic manipulation (by my daughter, God bless her) and the judicious use of some warm up exercises, I have had no problem since.

Only my experience of course, but I'm certainly convinced.

Edited June 18, 2008 by bassicinstinct

[Merton]

[quote name='obbm' post='221097' date='Jun 18 2008, 08:34 AM']+1

I had a similar tingling fingers problem a couple of years ago. It turned out to be a lower back problem.[/quote]
+2. I had CT type symptoms, turned out to be my left shoulder.

[geilerbass]

Go and see your GP. If this proves unsatisfactory - i.e. he/she doesn't want to investigate or conclusively diagnose, then try going to a physiotherapist, though make sure you get a recommendation from someone. They know a lot about nerves, bones, joints etc and would probably be able to figure out what it is and possibly give you some treatment, if necessary. If they think it's serious, they should also be able to write a recommendation to your GP for further investigation.

Edited June 18, 2008 by geilerbass

[bassicinstinct]

Personally, I'd do whatever it takes to [b]avoid[/b] seeing a GP.

"Jack of all trades master of none" in my experience, although I'm sure there MUST be a[b] few[/b] good ones out there?

Aren't there?

[geilerbass]

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='221300' date='Jun 18 2008, 12:21 PM']Personally, I'd do whatever it takes to [b]avoid[/b] seeing a GP.

"Jack of all trades master of none" in my experience, although I'm sure there MUST be a[b] few[/b] good ones out there?

Aren't there?[/quote]
Unless you go private, a GP is often the only way to get serious issues looked at. Sadly, that often involves an uphill struggle against bureacracy and apathy.

I've actually got a pretty decent GP right now, who seems genuinely concerned about my well-being and appears willing to refer me when necessary.

Unfortunately, I'm having to move in the next couple of months, so will probably have to find a new GP

I think there are some good ones out there, but they do seem thin on the ground.

[bassicinstinct]

[quote name='geilerbass' post='221310' date='Jun 18 2008, 12:30 PM']Unless you go private, a GP is often the only way to get serious issues looked at. Sadly, that often involves an uphill struggle against bureacracy and apathy.

I've actually got a pretty decent GP right now, who seems genuinely concerned about my well-being and appears willing to refer me when necessary.

Unfortunately, I'm having to move in the next couple of months, so will probably have to find a new GP

I think there are some good ones out there, but they do seem thin on the ground.[/quote]

Absolutely!!

The thing that really kills me about most GPs (forgive the pun), is their apparent professional jealousy.

When my GP wrote to the hospital (with copy to me) to tell them I wouldn't be proceeding with the surgery, she seemingly couldn't bring herself to even use the word "chiropractic" deciding, instead, to completely misrepresent the position and state that my problems had been alleviated by due to the intervention of a physiotherapist.

Needless to say, I corrected her.

Pathetic really, isn't it?

[cheddatom]

I have all the symptoms of CTS but my GP says it's not because he squoze my wrist and it didn't hurt much.

I went to see osteopaths for a while, and they seemed really optimistic about it, but after 3 months they said there was nothing they could do, it looks like CTS in early stages, and in 5 years or so I could have surgery to sort it out, and it'd be fine.

I don't know if a chiropractor would be any different? Or if i've been fobbed off by my GP?

I know i'm jumping on the advice bandwagon, but if anyone has any to offer, it may also help the OP.

[bassicinstinct]

[quote name='cheddatom' post='221319' date='Jun 18 2008, 12:45 PM']I have all the symptoms of CTS but my GP says it's not because he squoze my wrist and it didn't hurt much.

I went to see osteopaths for a while, and they seemed really optimistic about it, but after 3 months they said there was nothing they could do, it looks like CTS in early stages, and in 5 years or so I could have surgery to sort it out, and it'd be fine.

I don't know if a chiropractor would be any different? Or if i've been fobbed off by my GP?

I know i'm jumping on the advice bandwagon, but if anyone has any to offer, it may also help the OP.[/quote]

Sounds pretty much like "par for the course" GP behaviour to me, although deciding that it isn't CTS because it "didn't hurt much" is rank incompetence IMHO.

Your life in their hands eh?

[Deep Thought]

The ol' Powerball is supposed to be good for CTS. I talked our drummer into getting one after he buggered his arm falling off his motorbike-he showed it to his physio who was blown away, and said that they would have to get some!

[url="http://www.nsdpowerballs.com/"]http://www.nsdpowerballs.com/[/url]