Frustrated!

TAF
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So I've been wearing splints during the night, every night, since my appointment about 5 weeks ago. Wake up in the night with, particularly, my right hand numb and on fire. Can't win. On fire without splints, on fire with. So many sleep deprived nights now making things worse. Wear the splints and then, driving to work, my hand becomes tingly and numb. Loss of strength and feeling in my fingers. Left hand not so bad but pain in my upper arm. If I lean on my desk, lift my arm and have pain. Don't know if this is related? Finding this so hard to cope with. Any advice or support from fellow patients would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Tracey

jeremydpbland
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OK that's enough of a trial of splints.There are two main possibilities now, given that your NCS results show only fairly mild CTS.

a) the mild CTS is an 'innocent bystander' and the symptoms are really due to something else - which would explain the lack of response to splints

b) Your CTS just doesn't respond to splinting

as a) is likely to be harder to treat than b) I would be inclined to try the experiment of local steroid injection to the right wrist which helps further in terms of diagnosis and also may solve the problem for you. If you are available early on Tuesday morning next week we could do that for you then. JB

TAF
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Thank you for coming back to me. I'm the extremely needlephobic patient so need time to prepare for an injection of any kind. I will need to use Emla cream but don't know where on my wrist it needs to go. It probably won't help much, but it's more for my own peace of mind.

Is it possible to have the injection on a Wednesday afternoon? Feel sick just thinking about it!

Thanks
Tracey

jeremydpbland
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I'm sure we can manage a Wednesday afternoon. We don't keep supplies of EMLA - do you have some anyway? JB

TAF
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I can buy Emla from the chemist and have also requested a valium prescription from the GP today. Where on my wrist do I need to apply it?

jeremydpbland
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The injection site is on the palm side of the wrist, about 1cm above the wrist crease. The exact site depends on what your veins and tendons look like so cover a reasonable area. What time on Wednesday would you like to come in? JB

TAF
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Would about 2pm be okay? I'll buy a couple of tubes to make sure there's enough coverage! Also, is it going to be possible for me to be laying down? Don't fancy passing out on the floor. Thanks, Tracey

jeremydpbland
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Wednesday 21st Feb at 2:00pm will be fine and yes we can lie you down. JB

TAF
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Thank you, I'll see you then. Tracey

TAF
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What are the chances of being given gas and air tomorrow? Having a hissy fit already so dread to think what I'm going to be like when the time comes. Absolutely terrified!!

Thanks, Tracey

jeremydpbland
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We don't keep that available I'm afraid, and I'm not sure it would actually help, except psychologically. It really is quite a trivial needle - nothing like having a blood sample taken and more akin to acupuncture. Most people feel it is a less traumatic experience than having the nerve conduction tests done in the first place. JB

TAF
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Thank you for coming back to me. It's really put my mind at rest. I'll still be a quivering wreck tomorrow but not quite to the extent it could have been. Just don't let me see the needle. Tracey

emmakaile
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I have left a message on your mobile, please could we make the appointment half an hour later? at 14:30 or even 15:00 if you prefer? Thanks EK

TAF
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Hi. 3pm is fine. Thank you for letting me know. Tracey

TAF
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Today I attended the clinic for my first steroid injection in my wrist. Several years ago I had the same injection in my thumb joint. I remember this as being painful and very sore afterwards so I was, understandably, terrified. I'm also extremely needlephobic and arrived at the clinic as a nervous wreck. Emma was to administer my injection and was really sympathetic to my fears. I can honestly say that it really isn't as bad as people would imagine. There were a couple of very short bursts of pain of seven out of ten but these lasted for a nanosecond and everything in between was a zero. It was all over within 30 seconds. If you are going to have these injections I can really assure you there is nothing to worry about. It's over very quickly and, considering I usually need to lay down for several minutes before sitting up, could sit up straight away. If I need another one I can honestly say I'm not going in with such fear as today. Emma was fabulous and I really appreciate her patience with me.

This whole department is incredible with Mr Bland answering forum posts evenings and weekends. They really care about their patients and it's been such a huge help to know that we can post to the forum and someone usually comes back to us within 24 hours, at the most.

Incredible service for which I am immensely grateful.

Thank you for all you do.
Tracey

jeremydpbland
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Thankyou for taking the trouble to post that and I'm glad it wasn't such a bad experience as you feared. Next we have to hope that the symptoms improve.  JB

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