Carpal Tunnel and TENS machine

SueLyn

Hi, just want some advice. I have OA in both hands, don’t take meds. I have CT in left wrist only. I just wondered if anyone here has used a TENS machine before for CT and found it affective? I wake up in middle of night and a few fingers are numb, some tingling too. I’ve seen my GP many times doe as vice but all I have been given are some exercises to do, which I do do. I’m thinking of getting some putty balls on Amazon and wondered if anyone has any recommendations. The numbness by they way is during night and has usually gone by morning, but I just want something to relieve it. Thank you

Ellen

Hi @SueLyn

Don't know if it would help but I have some hand/wrist splints which I wear at night. They hold my hands and wrists in the right place so that they do not go numb. Without them I have to dangle my hands out of the bed towards the floor and swing them around until it passes. Often more than once a night.

Best wishes

Ellen.

SueLyn

Ellen, it’s funny that you mention you put your arm out of bed and let it dangle, I do same thing.

I’ve had various splints over the years but can never find the right one that makes it help. Can you recommend a good splint for carpal tunnel that you find is effective as there are so many.

I do wear compression gloves at night but must admit their not 100% effective.

so Ellen you have CT too, do you have OA as well?

any advice would help. I’ve ordered a putty ball from Amazon to use to see if it makes CT better. I couldn’t believe it when my gp told me CT can go away but I’ve had it for years and it hasn’t

Ellen

Yes @SueLyn

I have OA and Inflammatory arthritis too.

I know I can make my Carpal Tunnel worse by sewing/knitting things like that, but I have had it for many years now.

The splint I have is whole hand, fingers out job a bit like this one in this information by Sussex NHS

https://int.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/clinical_documents/carpal-tunnel-fitting-a-wrist-splint/

The important thing I think is the metal bit inside it which keeps the wrist/hand in the right position. Without it I am one for bending my wrists in my sleep and setting it off.

I am pretty sure a really good pharmacist could advise you.

Do let us know how you get on.

Best of luck

Ellen.

SueLyn

Thanks for this, my wrist is about 16 and a half to 17cm, so not sure if it needs to be tight or loose the splint. Did it realise it goes half way down your arm. The one I have stops at my wrist, so perhaps defeats the object of it, I need to look for a longer one. I will look at the site you suggest and see if I can find my size. Many thanks

btw I went on Amazon today and bought a soft putty ball which I can squeeze now and again to help it.

Ellen

Mine definitely goes part of the way down my arm.

Do please feed back whether the exercise putty does any good @SueLyn

Best of luck

Ellen.

SueLyn

Ellen, I will do. Actually it’s a ball not putty sorry, never used one b4 but want to try it. Btw I contacted that company you suggested to find out which splint is best for me and also about sizing. Do they charge delivery?

SueLyn

Ellen forgot to ask does it make yr arm sweat.

frogmorton

Hi @SueLyn

I am on the menopause and do have hot flushes unfortunately at night. My wrist/hand splint is like the one in the NHS link and I do sometimes take it off (hangs head) but I also chuck off the duvet!

Mine does have little holes in it.

Going to send you a PM so look in your in box.

Toni x

SueLyn

Manŷ thanks Toni appreciate your comments, will look in inbox. sue

SueLyn

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/714878#Comment_714878

Ellen just received my Orange therapy ball thru Amazon, going to try using it once or two a day, will see if it improves things. Worth a try I guess. Can send you an email to say which one it is, as csnt advertise here I think.

Ellen

Thanks for the update @SueLyn

You can absolutely let us know if the putty is helpful publicly - it might help other people. Sort of 'over the garden fence' recommendations are fine.😊

It's just direct links to sites which are best avoided.

Best wishes

Ellen