Question about numbness of fingers
I stumbled onto this wonderful site while looking for info on CTS. I'm a film editor and work at a computer at least 10 hours a day. I also have been playing guitar for 30 years and it's a big part of my life. I woke up the other morning with mild numbness in my thumb, index and middle finger. I have been experiencing minimal aching in the morning for more than 1 year. I can live with the aching but I was wondering if anyone could tell me if the numbness will go away. The numbness is bad enough that it's stopping me from playing guitar which is very depressing. Any info would be greatly appreciate. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I decided to see a doctor and it turned out to be CTS. They told me it was in the early stages and worse in my left had. I received a shot in my wrist and was given a brace to wear at night. The numbness as all but gone away except a very small amount on the tip of my index finger. It sucks to have this but mine is nothing compared to a lot of other people so I'm grateful for that. I guess all I can do it follow the doctors suggestions and try not to do anything that will make it come back.
Sounds as though that has responded quite well to injection - did they tell you want steroid and dose they used? JB
No, and I didn't think to ask. I'm going back for a follow up in two weeks so I will definitely ask. Let me know if you think there is anything else I should ask about. Now that I know I have this I'm trying to read as much as I can to educate myself about CTS.
There is circumstantial evidence for recommending a dose of 40mg triamcinolone or equivalent. It's interesting to see what is actually being used however. There is a lot of stuff about CTS on the web and it can be hard to know what is reputable. Try to check the sources - hospitals, specialist societies and things like NHS choices are generally reliable. Individual patient stories are interesting but you have to remember they are usually not representative of typical CTS. The only other thing I would say is dont grin and bear it if and when it recurs after injection. Good luck. JB
Certainly a possibility that it could be CTS. If it is that (and note the IF), then its highly unpredictable and could resolve by itself, stay the same, or get worse. If it persists at a level which is stopping you playing for more than a couple of weeks or seems to be worsening then I would get it investigated. If it does turn out to be CTS then it is usually successfuly treated one way or another so no reason to grin and bear it. JB