Return of CTS symptons

The last injection (the second) was 31st May so only about 10 weeks ago. It is beginning to look as though we might need to operate on this - what do you think about surgery? JB

Dr Bland:
thanks for your reply.
Appears that steroid treatment isn't long-lasting in my case, so surgery seems to be the next option.
Would it be possible to discuss the pros and cons with you sometime, please, and then decide?
regards, MalD

Have a read through the pages on here describing surgery and surgical prognosis and then we can probably discuss it on the phone one evening - your NCS are reasonably up to date so I don't need to repeat those at present. JB

Thanks, Dr Bland, for your reply.
I'll do as you ask, and then arrange a telephone conversation with you soon.
Many thanks for your help.
regards, MalD.

If you suggest a good time I will try to give you a call one evening - it's probably easier for me to call you than vice versa. JB

Dr Bland,

Have read through the 'TREATMENT' pages as you suggested. Seems that surgery (open or keyhole) is the next option for me now. So I'd like to progress that with you, if I may (hoping that you have a really 'top notch' surgeon to let loose on me!?)

Being retired now (thank goodness) I no longer have to worry about long commutes etc.; and so I'm usually at home from say 5 p.m. each evening.

Arrange to call me as suits you best, please, and I'll make sure that I'm here.

regards, MalD.

I'm doing an extended clinic this evening so I will try to remember to give you a call at the end of that - likely to finish about 8:30pm JB

Thank you Dr Bland.
Take it you mean Wednesday evening now, as I didn't receive a call from you on Tuesday?
Home number is 01304 379906.
regards, MalD.

Sorry - didn't finish until 10:00pm and I thought it was getting a bit late. I'll try when I get back from London to Canterbury this evening. (edit - surgery now booked) JB

Good morning Dr Bland.
Many thanks for organising surgery for me in November- appointments letter arrived at the weekend.
However my CTS symptons are becoming increasing uncomfortable 24/7; and most especially at night-time (didn't get off to sleep until gone 3 a.m. last night)
Just taking Paracetamol to help at the moment, but of little effect.
Want to ask, please, if a further steroid injection to get me through to November is totally out of the question?
regards, MalD.

Not out of the question at all. It is most unlikely to do any harm so if you would like a third injection as a holding measure just call the SIPC office to arrange it. I have amended your records so that they will understand the request. JB

Dr Bland.
Thanks so much for that - quite a relief.
I've now contacted the SIPC people - they're going to fix me up with an appointment date.
kindest regards, MalD.

Good morning Dr Bland.
Wanted to let you know that I received my third steroid injection yesterday afternoon (30th.) at Deal.
Was arranged jointly by the SPIC and ICATS Teams as their earliest possible appointment for me.
Treatment was done by one of the ICATS Practitioners, who did a good job, I think - pain level for the injection was 2-3 only,
He also arranged a follow up appointment with me for 6 weeks time.
Already beginning to feel the benefits with much-less pain now- trusting it will get me through to surgery in November.
Once again, many thanks for your help - much appreciated.
regards, MalD.

Thanks for the update. Always good to hear how people are getting on. I think there is a pretty good chance that will last you out until November. We find the more difficult issue sometimes is whether to proceed with surgery in a patient who has been rendered asymptomatic by injection but we will leave consideration of that until we know how you are faring in November. JB