Depressed and cursed with both diseases

Before getting hung up on surgery it would be a good idea to be sure of the diagnoses. As you know I'm not entirely convinced you have CTS and it's even harder to be sure about ulnar neuropathy on the web. An opinion from a neurologist, aided by some nerve conduction studies and possibly ultrasound imaging would be a better investment than launching into surgery. JB

Like I said the carpal tunnel symptoms that we have discussed have definitely improved or at least they have not worsened in the past seven months that I’ve been experiencing them. But this is new. You did mention that you LNAR neuropathy has more of a chance of going away then CTS correct Like I said the carpal tunnel symptoms that we have discussed have definitely improved or at least they have not worsened in the past seven months that I’ve been experiencing them. But this is new. You did mention that uLNAR neuropathy has more of a chance of going away With conservative therapies than CTS correct. I will have to find a doctor to speak to soon. Also can I choose the ultrasound over the nerve conduction studies? They are extremely painful here in the United States

The fact that one set of symptoms have improved still doesn't mean that it was necessarily CTS. Lots of things improve spontaneously.

The difficulty with ultrasound for nerve problems is finding one of the relatively few people who are expert at it.

Nerve conduction studies should not be very painful. Technically you do have the option to decline the needle examination which is likely to be offered in the USA - no medical procedure can be carried out without consent from the patient so long as that patient is mentally competent - so you could walk into the lab and say "I'm Ok with the nerve conduction tests but I don't want any needle EMG". The lab's only options then are to either do it the European way without the needle EMG or else to turn away your business altogether. JB

I will see what I can do to find a decent doctor and if I cannot find somebody who’s good enough that ultrasound then I will do what you suggested and not request and needles for the nerve conduction. I am terrified about muscle wasting in my hands even though I do not notice anything yet as these are beginning stages. You are probably right about the carpal tunnel. But I believe this ULNAR nerve is actually an issue. Some days I wake up with tingling pinkies and ring fingers and some I don’t. Do you definitely agree that cubital tunnel syndrome has more of a chance of going away then carpal tunnel syndrome?

Statistically speaking yes. What evidence there is, and it is not ideal by any means, suggests that more people with UNE will improve without surgery than people with CTS. JB

So I’ve been keeping my elbow straight most of the day, I might be OCD with it too much as I am truly scared to bend my elbow for any reason. It doesn’t seem to be tingling in my fingers as much, but I still do have pain at the elbow. Sleeping is fine I do not experience any pain or numbness. That’s when I get up and start moving around that I start having a little bit of elbow pain that will come and go throughout the day. I have inhibited all of my activities that require me to lean on my elbow, or bend it for that matter.I have just been introducing nerve gliding/flossing techniques and ice therapy. What is your insight on nerve gliding? I am only asking because I did not specifically see it on your treatment page. But I’m guessing that it is a part of physical or physiotherapy

it is indeed part of the repertoire of physical therapy management. The evidence that it works is rather sketchy but it's very unlikely to do any harm. Don't stop using the UNE elbow altogether - if it's just left to dangle all day it will become swollen and stiff. The trick is to continue using it without stressing the nerve too much. JB

OK so definitely keep using it as I would just not as much tension. How long do you think it could take something like this to heal if it were to heal on its own? If you had to guesstimate. I’d imagine that nerve issues would take weeks to months right

The rather limited follow-up studies which have documented improvement without surgery have generally tracked outcomes for up to about 6-12 months at most so improvement has been known to occur in that timescale. Whether the problem then recurs again later is anybody's guess. JB

One last thing, would u say it’s ok to continue weight lifting as long as it doesn’t hurt? Working out doesn’t hurt at all it’s when it’s stationary doing nothing that I’ll get pains. I also don’t lift heavy heavy weights anymore I do high repetitions to stay fit. Would this be helpful or if anything not harmful?

Weightlifting in itself is not harmful. Just bear in mind the mechanics of the wrist and elbow when choosing what exercises to do - in much the same way you are presumably sensible in the way you use your back. JB